Coil Removal & Insertion After Barbie Butt Surgery
After having had Barbie Butt Surgery, you may be thinking about having an IUD (intrauterine device, or coil) inserted as a form of contraceptive, or additionally, you may be thinking about getting it removed for one reason or another.
Louise shares her experience having had both coil removal and insertion after Barbie Butt Surgery.
Originally I wasn’t going to write this, but after a fair few requests after sharing my gallows humour in a few stoma groups and seeing an article written by the BBC regarding coil insertion reviews from those with a normal anatomy I thought this would be worth sharing. You can read the article here.
Just to add that not everyone will have my experience. I have had more surgery than I care to admit and more than enough internal scar tissue alongside endometriosis that my undercarriage is slightly squiffy and things aren’t where they are meant to be.
My experience
I had my first copper coil inserted back in 2014. I don’t remember much about that experience as I had to have a termination due to a risk to life after I fell pregnant, the contraceptive I was using at the time failed.
It has only been the last year after a 3rd opinion that has now declared my body safe and habitable to fall pregnant (having my large bowel removed changed the expected outcome).
Why the new coil?
After a recent smear test, I was advised my contraceptive may have expired; the nurse couldn’t find my strings so it needed to be removed and I took the decision to have it replaced until I have it removed again after my honeymoon in October. I can’t run the risk of falling pregnant prior as I want to fit into my wedding dress and not have to worry about falling pregnant and keeping a 12 week secret. Normal oral contraceptives don’t work for me due to a lack of bowel and malabsorption issues.
The removal & reinsertion
My GP surgery isn’t equipped to deal with me so I had to attend the local hospital and see a gynaecologist to have my coil removed and reinserted.
I will admit I was so nervous on the day but it needed to be done. I have never been very good at abstaining from adult shenanigans but had to for 7 days prior to the removal.
Jumping up into the chair with stirrups was a new experience, my legs were shaking for the entire hour I was up there and at one point the extra nurse had to hold one of my thighs to reduce the shaking.
I had an inkling that the procedure was going to have some issues but I was not expecting the 45 minutes it took to find my cervix and get it turned around enough to be able to get the old coil out and a new one in. Due to the scar tissue, my cervix is tethered and inverted and faces my spine. My uterus is also adhered to my abdominal wall so she needed a rocket launcher to get the new one in…
I have a high pain threshold. I took some painkillers half hour before the appointment so I was relatively relaxed. I will admit to finding the whole thing rather traumatic and slightly undignified, having people look at my bowels and bottom is normal, having someone get to know my cervix up close and personal is a different story.
Aftermath
I felt rough for 24 hrs after as my insides were cramping but nothing bed rest, a hot water bottle and pain meds couldn’t sort. I had the Mirena inserted and in my 2nd cycle I am still waiting for the magic and it totally stops my periods. They are all over the place at the moment so using an online tracker to keep track of spotting and breakthrough bleeding.
The removal after my honeymoon should be fine. The removal wasn’t the issue – having the new one inserted was. Should I fall pregnant after the removal then I will be asking to get sterilised after a c-section to save having to go through this again.
Below I’ve included some guidance on do’s and don’ts pre and post coil removal and insertion. Please note that everything mentioned is based on my own research and should not be taken as medical advice.
Prior to the removal
- You need to abstain from sex for 7 days prior
- Take pain killers ie ibuprofen 30 minutes before the appointment
- Have a decent meal prior
If you are just having the coil removed it may be normal to experience cramps after the removal, alongside some light spotting or bleeding for a few days. You can get straight to trying to fall pregnant after removal should you wish to.
When you may need to consult a doctor
It is rare but should you experience any of these symptoms post-removal then please seek medical advice ASAP.
- Fever or chills
- Severe pain or cramps
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Bad smelling discharge from your vagina
After Insertion of the new coil
- Abstain from sex for 7 days after insertion unless placed during your period
- Spotting or light bleeding – this can take a little time to settle down
- Feeling faint or dizzy after insertion, take your time when getting ready to leave
- Cramping for a day or two after
What to look for and contact your doctor should any of these happen
- You can’t feel the string, or you think your IUD has moved out of place
- You think you might be pregnant
- You have heavier than normal bleeding from your vagina
- You have chills or a fever over 101 degrees
- You feel dizzy or like you might faint
- You have sharp pain in your belly or pelvis
- You have a foul-smelling discharge from your vagina
- You get severe headaches or migraines
- You have pain during sex
For those who may really struggle with insertion and removal then the option for a general anaesthetic and being asleep during are an option but that’s not widely advertised. There is also a numbing cream that can be used on the cervix but that runs the problem of your cervix going into spasm so that’s not always offered either as a spasming cervix may mean they can’t insert the new coil.
I am hoping you all find this helpful.
As always
Many thanks for reading
Louise Xx
Please note that this blog post is intended to give advice to ostomates. The information given is based on Louise’s personal experience and should not be taken as clinical advice. Please consult with your Stoma Care Nurse if you are in need of medical advice regarding coil removal and insertion after Barbie Butt Surgery.
Meet the blogger: Louise
Meet Louise! She’s a blogger and ambassador for Pelican and has been for the last 3 years
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