Who is a Candidate for the AcessaTM Procedure?

Between 70-80% of women develop fibroids at some point in their lives. While for some women these benign, muscular tumors don’t cause problems, for many others, fibroids become problematic, causing troublesome symptoms like pain and bleeding — even pregnancy issues. 

At Darin Swainston MD. FACOG, gynecological surgeon Dr. Darin Swainston and OB/GYN Daniel Richards, DO, have helped countless patients in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area find relief from the unpleasant symptoms of fibroids. Our practice offers cutting-edge AcessaTM procedures to give optimal results with minimal side effects.

This outpatient procedure uses minimally invasive techniques that spare your uterus, unlike the traditional fibroid treatment of a hysterectomy. Read on to learn more about Acessa and if you’re a candidate for the procedure! 

Understanding fibroids 

Fibroids are benign, muscular growths that can form in the lining of your uterus. They are noncancerous and come in all sizes, from the size of an apple seed to the size of a grapefruit. 

While they don’t always cause symptoms, they may cause you to develop pelvic pain and pressure, heavy bleeding, and a protruding abdomen. Other symptoms include:

• Low back pain 
• Pain during intercourse
• Bloating
• Frequent and/or urgent urination
• Complications during pregnancy and labor

Fibroids are more common in women 35 and older and women of color, who are 3-5 times more likely to develop the growths.

Understanding Acessa

Traditional treatments for fibroids include endometrial ablation or hysterectomy. These methods trade possible repercussions to your uterus for relief from painful and problematic fibroids. In addition, a hysterectomy means you’ll enter menopause, no matter your age. 

The Acessa procedure is a game-changer for women living with fibroids. It allows Dr. Swainston or Dr. Richards to eliminate your fibroid symptoms while preserving your uterus.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia and usually takes 90-120 minutes, depending on the location, size, and number of fibroids. Your provider makes two small incisions in your lower abdomen, then uses the Acessa ultrasound probe and mapping system to determine and plot the exact size and location of your fibroids.

Next, your provider inserts the tip of the Acessa handpiece into the fibroid. Radiofrequency energy is directed into your fibroids, leaving the healthy uterine tissue untouched. Acessa heats the fibroid tissue to the point that it dies. 

Over time, the dead fibroid tissue shrinks and is absorbed through your body’s natural waste removal processes. With your fibroids reduced in size, you’ll experience tremendous relief from any problematic symptoms. In fact, Acessa has a 94% patient satisfaction rate.

You can expect to recover more quickly than you would after a hysterectomy, with most women returning to work in about 4-5 days. Because the incisions are extremely small, scarring is minimal.

Candidacy for Acessa

Many women who suffer from fibroids are good candidates for the Acessa procedure. The best way to learn if it’s the right treatment for you is to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Swainston or Dr. Richards. 

Generally speaking, the best candidates for Acessa are women who:

• Have fibroids that are causing heavy bleeding
• Have fibroids that are causing pain 
• Have fibroids that press on the bladder or rectum
• Prefer to avoid a hysterectomy

Ready to say goodbye to unpleasant fibroid symptoms? Find out if Acessa is right for you by contacting the Las Vegas office of Darin Swainston MD, FACOG, or book an appointment online now!