Before Your Procedure
Pre-Op Instructions
What you need to know and do before your Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE).
📅 Review as soon as possible
Important — Read Carefully
Fasting Before Your Procedure
🚫 No Solid Food
8 hours before your arrival time
✅ Clear Liquids OK
Up to 2 hours before arrival
✅ Clear Liquids Include
Water · Black coffee · Plain tea · Apple juice · Broth
💊
Medications
In general, continue ALL medications as normal. Because this procedure uses wrist (radial) access, the bleeding risk is very low. Dr. Fischman will review your specific medications at your consultation and advise of any changes. Take morning medications with a sip of water within the clear liquid window.
Exception: Do NOT take diabetic medications (insulin or oral diabetes pills) the night before or morning of the procedure.
Arrange an escort (18+). A responsible adult must escort you from the procedure area, drive you home, and stay with you for several hours. Car service or rideshare is not acceptable unless no sedation was given.
Plan about 5 days off to rest and recover at home. Cramping is most significant in the first several days.
Fill your prescriptions in advance if provided, and arrange a comfortable recovery space at home with a heating pad available.
Notify us of any allergies to contrast dye, iodine, shellfish, or medications.
Notify us if you take a GLP-1 medication (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Victoza, Trulicity) or have sleep apnea — both affect sedation.
Notify us of any kidney disease. Contrast dye is used and special precautions may be needed.
Tell us if there is any chance you could be pregnant. A pregnancy test may be performed before the procedure.
Confirm your pelvic MRI has been completed and sent to our team, as discussed at your consultation.
Lab work is generally not required. Dr. Fischman will advise at consultation if any is needed.
📞
Nurse Call — Afternoon
One of our nurses will call you in the afternoon on the day before your procedure to review your instructions, answer questions, and confirm your arrival time. Please keep your phone available and charged.
Eat normally during the day. Fasting begins 8 hours before your assigned arrival time.
No alcohol for at least 24 hours before your procedure.
Shower tonight or morning of. No lotions, creams, or deodorant on the wrist area.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid tight sleeves — the catheter will be placed through your wrist.
Bring sanitary pads for use after the procedure — tampons should be avoided.
Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
No solid food within 8 hours of arrival. Clear liquids OK until 2 hours before — then nothing by mouth.
Take all regular medications with a sip of water, within the clear liquid window. Skip diabetic medications.
Where to go: 1000 10th Avenue (between W 58th & W 59th St) — 4th Floor, Interventional Radiology Registration.
Arrive at the time confirmed by our nurse the afternoon prior. Late arrival may result in rescheduling.
Bring: Photo ID · Insurance card · Medication list · Any imaging not already sent to us.
Your escort (18+) must be present and able to take you home. Car service or rideshare is not acceptable unless no sedation was given.
What to Expect
Procedure Day
A step-by-step walkthrough of your UAE procedure day at Mount Sinai Interventional Radiology.
⏱️ Plan for approximately half a day
UAE (Uterine Artery Embolization), also called UFE (Uterine Fibroid Embolization), is a minimally invasive treatment for uterine fibroids. By reducing the blood supply to the fibroids, they shrink and symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and pain improve over time.
Dr. Fischman accesses the uterine arteries through a tiny catheter inserted at your wrist — there are no incisions, no hysterectomy, and no general anesthesia. The uterus is preserved, and you go home the same day.
1
Check-In & Registration
Arrive at 1000 10th Ave, 4th Floor — IR Registration. Paperwork and insurance verification completed.
2
Pre-Procedure Prep
Nurse places your IV and reviews medical history, medications, and allergies. Vital signs monitored throughout.
3
Consent
A physician (MD) or advanced practice provider (PA or NP) will review and obtain your informed consent.
4
Sedation
IV sedation keeps you relaxed and comfortable. You'll be drowsy but able to respond. No general anesthesia.
5
Wrist Access
Dr. Fischman numbs your wrist with local anesthesia and inserts a small sheath into the radial artery. You will feel pressure but should not feel pain.
6
The Procedure (~1 hour)
Using live X-ray (fluoroscopy), Dr. Fischman guides a tiny catheter to both uterine arteries and delivers tiny particles to block the blood flow feeding the fibroids.
7
Recovery (~90 min)
You rest in the recovery area while vital signs and the wrist site are monitored. Pelvic cramping often begins during this time and is managed with medication before you leave.
8
Discharge & Home
IV removed, discharge instructions and prescriptions provided. Your escort takes you home the same day.
After Your Procedure
Post-Op Instructions
What to expect during recovery and how to care for yourself after UAE.
📆 Follow-up in 6 weeks
Post-Embolization Syndrome
It is normal to experience cramping, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms in the days after UAE as your body responds to the procedure. These are collectively called "post-embolization syndrome" and typically improve over the first week.
Pelvic cramping — often strongest in the first 24–48 hours, similar to or stronger than menstrual cramps. This is expected and managed with your medications.
Vaginal discharge — may be watery, brownish, or blood-tinged, and can last for several weeks. This is normal.
Passing of fibroid tissue — some patients pass small pieces of fibroid tissue through the vagina over the following weeks. Contact us if this happens so we can advise you.
Fatigue, nausea, low-grade fever (up to 100.5°F), and a general unwell feeling for a few days
Changes in your menstrual cycle over the following months as the fibroids shrink
Mild bruising or tenderness at the wrist access site — may take 2–3 weeks to fully resolve
Rest and recover for about 5 days. Most patients need roughly a week before returning to normal activity and work.
No heavy lifting (>10 lbs) for 24 hours to protect the wrist access site.
Walking is encouraged to promote circulation and recovery. Increase activity gradually.
No driving for 24 hours after sedation, and not while taking opioid pain medication.
A heating pad on the lower abdomen can help with cramping.
Use sanitary pads, not tampons. Avoid tampons, douching, and intercourse until cleared at your follow-up.
No baths, hot tubs, or pools for 5 days. Shower after 24 hours.
Stay well hydrated and resume your normal diet — start with light meals.
💊 Pain Relief — NSAIDs & Opioids
Take your prescribed NSAID (such as ibuprofen) on a schedule to control cramping. An opioid pain medication will also be provided for breakthrough pain in the first few days — take as directed and only as needed. Do not drive while taking opioids.
💊 Toradol (ketorolac)
A strong anti-inflammatory used to control post-procedure cramping. Take exactly as directed — do not combine with other NSAIDs unless instructed, and limit the duration as advised by our team.
💊 Zofran (ondansetron)
For nausea. Take as needed. Nausea is common in the first day or two after the procedure.
💊 Antibiotic
Take as directed and complete the full course to reduce the risk of infection.
⚠️
Blood Thinners
Please ask us about blood thinners (aspirin, Plavix, Eliquis, Xarelto, etc.) — we will advise you on when and whether to resume them.
Call Us
Fever >101°F (38.5°C) or persistent chills (especially if it develops or worsens after the first few days)
Pelvic pain that is worsening or not controlled by your medications
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Passing of fibroid tissue (so we can advise you)
Inability to urinate, or difficulty passing urine
Redness, swelling, or discharge at the wrist site
Nausea or vomiting that prevents you from keeping medications down
Call 9-1-1 or Go to ER
Heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking through a pad every hour)
Uncontrolled bleeding from the wrist that won't stop with 15 minutes of firm pressure
Pain, numbness, coolness, or blue discoloration of the hand/wrist
Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath
Severe allergic reaction: hives, throat tightening, face swelling
High fever >103°F with severe shaking, or loss of consciousness
🗓️ 6 Weeks
Follow-up appointment with Dr. Fischman — available in-person or via telemedicine — to review your symptoms and recovery.
🗓️ 6 Months
MRI of the pelvis to evaluate fibroid shrinkage and confirm the procedure's effectiveness.
📈 When to Expect Results
Symptom relief is gradual. Heavy bleeding often improves within the first 1–2 cycles, while bulk and pressure symptoms continue to improve over several months as the fibroids shrink.