Jasmine Ahmed from Bangladesh Recounts her Experience of Undergoing Surgery in India for Uterine Fibroids with a Travel-tale

Excruciating pain, uncontrollable bleeding and severe anaemia had become part of everyday life for fibroid sufferer, Jasmine Ahmed.

In her early forties, Jasmine Ahmed was told that she had fibroids. “My doctor said to me, ‘do you know you have fibroids?’ but didn’t tell me what they were, what they do, or what I should look out for,” she says. As the fibroids grew, Jasmine realized she had to do something. “I was going through a maxi pad and a super plus tampon in thirty minutes,” she says. “I became so anaemic I could barely walk. At one point, I was almost hospitalized for a blood transfusion.”

Fibroids are most common in women aged 30–40 years, but they can occur at any age. Fibroids that grow rapidly, or those that start breaking down, also may cause pain. Rarely, they can be associated with cancer. A very large fibroid may cause swelling of the abdomen. For Jasmine the symptoms were just the tip of the iceberg, her symptoms had progressed over the years to a point where undergoing surgery was the last option.

At that point, Jasmine began searching for information about best uterine fibroids hospitals in India on the Internet. “The Internet led me to Vaidam. The website’s knowledge page was filled with experiences other women had, as well as women from my own country.” Also at the site, Jasmine learned about doctors and treatment options and was surprised to see the plethora of options available to her. “I looked at the Vaidam site to find a doctor for me, and that’s how I was connected to Dr. Meenakshi Sundaram.”

Jasmine decided to travel to India alongside her nephew Rizvi Ahmed on the 3 April, 2018. Having read so much about other travelling patients’ experiences, Jasmine felt comforted that she was in safe hands. After getting picked up at the airport by a Vaidam health rep, the two arrived at Apollo Hospital, Chennai for their preliminary check up. Her experience at the hospital was first rate. “The hospital staffs were simply fabulous,” says Jasmine. “I can’t say enough nice things about her or Dr. Meenakshi and some of the attending nurses. They made me feel comfortable, to a point where I was almost completely at ease. That was important to me.”

One week after her procedure, Jasmine made her way of out the hospital, relieved that the ordeal was finally over. Although she found it difficult to move about initially, she could sense a drastic improvement already. After another week in India, she traveled back to Bangladesh with her Nephew, overjoyed with how her overall trip had been. “I am so glad I got in touch with Vaidam, I received so much information about the procedure beforehand by my health representative that when I finally had my consultation with Dr. Meenakshi - one of the best gynecologists In India, I felt informed and comfortable asking questions. It’s comforting to know that we have someone there to help and guide us when we need it.

Although she hasn’t had a comparative MRI done yet, Jasmine says her fibroids have shrunk about 50%. “The menstrual period after the surgery was normal, I have not had an abnormal once since, and I’m no longer anaemic.” In addition, she sends her love from Bangladesh, and we wish her the best for a speedy recovery.