07 Oct Overcoming Fibroids: Finding the Right Doctor and the Power of LAAM Treatment
For many women like Grace, fibroids can silently take control of their bodies, causing debilitating symptoms like heavy bleeding, pain, and even visible changes in their appearance—disrupting not only their physical health but their entire way of life. For Grace, a 32-year-old who loves running and weightlifting, fibroids didn’t just bring physical pain—they stole two years of her life. Her journey through misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and the eventual discovery of the right specialist highlights the importance of finding a doctor who truly listens, understanding all treatment options, and advocating for the care that aligns with your personal goals.
Grace’s story is not just about the impact of fibroids but also about the struggle to be heard, the search for the right treatment, and how delayed care—due to both medical dismissal and a lack of insurance—further worsened her quality of life. This article follows her path from the confusion and frustration of ineffective treatments to finding real solutions at CIGC, where she underwent a life-changing LAAM procedure that finally gave her the relief she desperately needed.
Misdiagnosis and The Struggle to Find the Right Doctor
It all started in 2022 when Grace began experiencing a mix of alarming symptoms—heavy bleeding, pain during sex, and a visible bulge in her abdomen. These were caused by fibroids, but at the time, she didn’t know what was wrong. The pain became unbearable after she opted for a copper IUD, a non-hormonal birth control method.
The copper IUD works by releasing copper ions into the uterus, which creates an environment that is toxic to sperm, preventing fertilization. It is a hormone-free, long-term birth control option that can last for up to 10 years. However, for women with fibroids, like Grace, the copper IUD can sometimes worsen symptoms, as it may increase bleeding and cramping, further complicating an already delicate situation. “After the IUD, everything hurt, especially sex. I thought the pain was because of the IUD,” she explains. Copper IUDs, while a great option for many women, can sometimes worsen symptoms for women with fibroids. Since fibroids are sensitive to hormonal and structural changes in the uterus, devices like the copper IUD can cause increased bleeding and discomfort, which for Grace only masked the true cause of her pain. Months later, after being rushed to the ER, an ultrasound finally revealed the real issue: fibroids.
“They told me the fibroids were small, that there was nothing I could do, and then sent me home with nothing but a big bill,” Grace says. No treatment, no follow-up care—just a list of doctors to call. After this initial diagnosis, she didn’t have health insurance, making it even harder to get the specialized care she needed. For two more years, she continued to suffer while searching for the right doctor.
One of the most difficult parts of Grace’s journey was the constant dismissal from medical professionals. She remembers a doctor pressing on her abdomen and saying there was nothing wrong with her, despite the fact that the bulge from her fibroids was so large it was impossible to ignore. After pleading for a referral, she finally saw a specialist—but things didn’t improve.
Her next OBGYN immediately recommended a hysterectomy—the complete removal of her uterus—as the only option to treat her fibroids. While hysterectomy is a valuable and effective solution for many women, especially those who may not want children or seek permanent relief, it’s not the only option. For Grace, keeping her uterus and maintaining her fertility were important, but this was never considered by her doctor. “He didn’t even listen to me when I said I didn’t want my uterus removed,” Grace says. “He had a checklist and said, ‘Don’t worry, I do hysterectomies every week.’”
This lack of consideration for what mattered most to her left Grace feeling overlooked. It’s vital for doctors to understand a patient’s personal priorities, whether it’s preserving fertility, having a quicker recovery, or improving their quality of life. Offering all the treatment options a patient qualifies for, rather than defaulting to the most aggressive option, is key to patient-centered care.
Defeated, Grace confided in a coworker, who encouraged her to get a second opinion. “That conversation changed everything,” Grace says. Her coworker told her there were other ways to remove fibroids without taking out her uterus, and that gave Grace hope to keep looking.
Finding Real Solutions: CIGC and the LAAM Procedure
Grace’s research led her to the Center for Innovative GYN Care (CIGC), where she finally found the answers, she was looking for. “My first consultation was great. The surgeon actually listened to me and took the time to explain all my options,” she recalls.
At CIGC, Grace learned about the LAAM (Laparoscopic Assisted Abdominal Myomectomy) procedure, a specialized surgery that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus. This minimally invasive technique was exactly what Grace needed—offering a quicker recovery and the chance to maintain her fertility. Unlike open surgery, LAAM only requires two small incisions, meaning less pain and a much faster return to normal life.
During surgery, doctors found multiple fibroids, the largest being the size of a mango. But as Grace quickly discovered, it’s not the size of the fibroids that determines how much they affect your quality of life—it’s the symptoms. Even small fibroids can cause major issues, like heavy bleeding, bloating, and intense pain.
“It was like having a baby,” Grace laughs, recalling the moment after surgery when she realized how flat her stomach was. She noticed immediate relief, and although the first three days were tough, the pain started to ease quickly. By the end of her first week, she felt like herself again. “A week later, my stomach was flat like before the fibroids,” she says.
Three weeks after her surgery, Grace was back to doing things she hadn’t been able to do in years. One moment that really stood out to her was running to save a cat from a dog attack. “I realized I could run again, and I didn’t feel any pain. It was incredible,” she shares.
About the LAAM Procedure
The LAAM procedure, or Laparoscopic Assisted Abdominal Myomectomy, is a minimally invasive surgery designed to remove fibroids while keeping the uterus intact. This procedure is ideal for women who want to preserve their fertility and avoid the long recovery times associated with traditional open surgery. With LAAM, recovery is quicker, pain is minimal, and many women are back to their normal routines within days. To learn more about how LAAM works, click here.
Grace’s Advice to Other Women: Advocate for Yourself
Grace’s story isn’t just about getting rid of fibroids—it’s about taking control of your own health. “If you’re not being heard by your doctor, go doctor shopping,” she advises.
“There are good doctors out there who care, you just have to find them.”
She emphasizes the importance of not giving up. “Keep looking until you find someone who actually listens to you and doesn’t just push you toward the quickest solution,” she says. Fibroids are a condition that can affect every part of your life—physically, emotionally, and mentally—but the right treatment is out there.
Grace’s journey reminds us that women need to be their own advocates, especially when faced with conditions like fibroids that are often misunderstood or minimized. If you’re dealing with fibroids, don’t settle for treatments that don’t feel right for you. Advocate for yourself, research your options, and never stop looking for the care that’s right for you
If you’re interested in hearing Grace’s full story, we encourage you to listen to the complete interview by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ohjcbT1U3Q