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Frequently
Asked Questions
What are the benefits of SonoWave,
MR guided FUS?
- Completely non-invasive, there is no surgery and
no blood loss
- An alternative to surgery and hormonal treatment
- No hospital stay
- Most women return to normal activity in 1-2 days
- The uterus and cervix are preserved
- Decrease in menstrual bleeding from symptomatic
fibroid(s)
- Decrease in urinary dysfunction, pelvic pain
and/or pressure
What are the risks and complications associated
with SonoWave, MR guided FUS?
Focused ultrasound may cause some pain, a skin burn, or fever. There is the possibility
of damage to the bowel or bladder, but using MRI minimizes the chance of damage
during the procedure by visualizing the exact location of the focused ultrasound.
Patients may have an allergic reaction to the pain medication or to the MRI dye.
What should I know before the procedure?
Let your doctor know if you have any allergies to certain medications or contrast
agents. Discuss with your doctor the different options you can take regarding
your fibroid(s) and make sure "MR guided FUS" is what's best for you.
What happens after the MR guided FUS procedure?
The procedure takes 3-4 hours to perform and is done at our outpatient facility,
Beverly Tower Wilshire Advanced Imaging Center, in Beverly Hills, California.
You are not in a hospital. Immediately following the procedure, you will rest
for 1-2 hours while the sedation wears off. After the rest period, you are released.
What happens when I go home?
When you leave Beverly Tower Wilshire Advanced Imaging Center, your doctor will
give you instructions to follow depending on how you are feeling. Usually, there
are no special instructions. However, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter
pain relief medication to help with possible cramping (similar to menstrual period
cramping) or shoulder/back pain from lying in the treatment position.
In most cases, women return to normal activity in 1-2 days.
Who will care for me after the procedure is done?
You and your doctor need to discuss who will handle your follow-up care. Your
doctor should instruct you about who to call in case of an emergency after the
procedure in the event you experience fever, pelvic pain, or foul-smelling vaginal
discharge that increases over time and lasts more than 24 hours.
How do I know if I'm a candidate for SonoWave, MR guided FUS?
If your fibroid related symptoms require treatment and you want to avoid surgery
while preserving your uterus, talk to your doctor about different treatment options.
Your doctor may ask you questions about your fibroids and general health and
medical history as well as take blood work and perform an internal gynecological
examination. Your doctor may also order a MRI of your pelvic area to evaluate
the fibroids. Based on this information, you and your doctor will determine if
SonoWave is the right treatment for you.
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