You’ve read about UFE. You’ve looked at the recovery timeline and the insurance coverage. You think you might be a candidate. Now you want to know: what actually happens when I show up?
This is the practical guide to your first UFE consultation at Surgical Associates—from the phone call to schedule through walking out the door with a treatment plan. No surprises.
Step 1: Scheduling Your Appointment
By phone: Call (240) 427-1630. Our scheduling team will ask about your fibroid diagnosis, primary symptoms, and insurance information. They’ll book you at the most convenient SACMD location—Camp Springs, Waldorf, Silver Spring (Maryland), Washington DC, or Reston (Virginia).
What you don’t need: A referral. While many patients are referred by their gynecologist or primary care physician, you can schedule directly with us. Self-referrals are welcome and common.
Timing: Most new patients can be seen within one to two weeks of calling.
Step 2: What to Bring
Come prepared with your insurance card and photo ID, any prior imaging (pelvic ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan)—on disc or with the facility name so we can request the images, a list of your current medications, a summary of previous fibroid treatments you’ve tried (hormonal therapy, iron supplements, etc.), your symptom diary if you keep one (dates and heaviness of periods, pain severity, bladder symptoms), and your questions. Seriously, write them down. There’s no such thing as a bad question.
Step 3: The Consultation (45–60 Minutes)
Intake and symptom review. A medical assistant will take your vitals and walk through your medical history. You’ll discuss your symptoms in detail—not just bleeding, but pain, pressure, bladder symptoms, fatigue from anemia, and how fibroids are affecting your daily life and quality of life.
Imaging review. Dr. Chun will review your existing imaging. If you have a recent pelvic ultrasound, this provides a starting assessment of fibroid number, size, and location. If MRI has been performed, it provides far more detail—including the ability to detect adenomyosis, which may be contributing to your symptoms alongside fibroids.
If you don’t yet have imaging, we’ll order the appropriate studies and review them at a follow-up visit or virtually.
Clinical examination. A focused physical examination may be performed to assess uterine size and any tenderness.
Treatment discussion. This is the core of the consultation. Dr. Chun will explain whether UFE is appropriate for your specific situation based on your fibroid characteristics, symptom profile, and medical history. He’ll also discuss what UFE cannot do (it doesn’t work for every fibroid type) and whether other options—myomectomy, hormonal therapy, or watchful waiting—might be more appropriate or should be considered in parallel.
You’ll walk through the procedure itself (how it’s done, what sedation is used, what to expect on the day), the expected timeline for symptom improvement, the success rates and potential risks, and alternative treatments and why UFE may or may not be preferable.
This is a conversation, not a sales pitch. If UFE isn’t the right fit, Dr. Chun will tell you so and help direct you toward the appropriate next step.
Step 4: Insurance Verification and Cost Estimate
If UFE is recommended and you want to proceed, our dedicated insurance team takes over. They’ll verify your coverage and confirm in-network status, submit prior authorization documentation (most insurers require this for UFE), contact you with a clear out-of-pocket cost estimate based on your specific plan, deductible status, and co-insurance, and handle any additional documentation your insurer requests.
This process typically takes one to three weeks. You won’t be asked to schedule the procedure until you’ve received and are comfortable with the cost estimate.
Step 5: Pre-Procedure MRI (If Not Already Done)
If your initial evaluation was based on ultrasound, an MRI will typically be ordered before the procedure. MRI is the gold standard for UFE planning because it maps the exact number, size, and location of all fibroids, identifies which fibroids are most likely to respond to embolization, detects adenomyosis that may be contributing to symptoms, and establishes a baseline for measuring fibroid shrinkage after the procedure.
Step 6: Procedure Scheduling
Once insurance is verified and imaging is complete, you’ll schedule your UFE at a time that works for you. Our team will provide detailed pre-procedure instructions covering medications, fasting, and logistics.
What Patients Tell Us
The most common thing we hear after a consultation is: “I wish I’d known about this sooner.” Many women have suffered with fibroid symptoms for years—sometimes decades—without ever being told that a non-surgical, uterus-preserving option existed. If that’s you, you’re not too late. You’re right on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
A UFE consultation at SACMD is designed to be informative, low-pressure, and complete. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of whether UFE is right for you, what it will cost, and what to expect. No commitment is required.
Schedule your consultation: Call (240) 427-1630 or visit www.sacmd.com
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
