Surgery For Women Without the Scars

Surgery For Women
Without the Scars

Lets face it, no one wants to have surgery, but if necessary, women today have several advantages made possible by new technology now available to minimize risks and scarring.

Most women are not only apprehensive about the need for surgery, and the risks, they are also concerned about the cosmetic results. Many surgeries, which have traditionally been performed using the “open technique” are now being done using laparoscopy. This is not possible in all cases, and the patients needs dictate which procedure to use.

However, there has been enormous progress in gynecologic surgery so more cases can be performed safely with laparoscopy, so its important to know your options.

For most major gynecologic surgeries there are two choices the open technique, or, laparoscopy.

Despite so much progress, still more than 60% of all major gynecologic procedures in the United States, like a hysterectomy, are performed by the “open technique”. This technique involves a large abdominal incision, hospitalization of 3-7 days, and at least a six-week recovery. This old school technique is sometimes necessary, but women should be asking about their options.

For many cases, the best option is laparoscopy. Laparoscopy works by using gas to create a space within the abdomen. To illustrate this, think of a large parade float. When it is collapsed, the walls are touching one another. However, when air is used to inflate it, the float expands and its walls separate. At that point, the walls are so far apart you could even fit several people inside one of those floats.

Your abdomen functions the same way. It can be inflated to create a space inside. Then, through small incisions, a camera and several other surgical instruments can be advanced into that space to perform the surgery.

There are several methods of performing laparoscopy, which includes

Conventional. In this method 3-4 small – inch incisions are created to allow surgical instruments to enter the space and the surgeon controls all the instruments from the bedside.

Robotic. With this technique 4-5 small incisions are created whereby the surgeon performs the surgery several feet away from the patient as a Di Vinci robotic system maneuvers within the patient.

Single Incision Surgery (SIS). The surgeon attempts to make a single hidden incision and completes the surgery with nearly no visible marks.

Yes, there are other choices for female pelvic surgery such as vaginal hysterectomy or uterine ablation that can be done in the office in a few minutes and save many women from a hysterectomy altogether. However, if a patient needs major surgery and wishes the best possible cosmetic result, then discuss the options with the doctor.

Remember, each woman is unique and a single surgery is not suitable for everyone. That is why it is important to be proactive, and ask your doctor questions, because after all, in this millennium women have the advantage.