Women who struggle with fibroid symptoms often look for non-invasive treatment methods, it is however important to know the risks associated with every procedure.
Embolization, when used on large fibroids, is less efficient, and can even be dangerous. It can result in die-off and expulsion of the fibroid tumor, which can lead to an infection. Also, fibroids shrink only about 30-46% following uterine fibroid embolizatin (UFE), which may not be enough for large fibroids to alleviate symptoms. In several studies, response to embolization was not as effective in patients with fibroids greater than 8 cm, and additional therapy was needed. Women are still at risk for having a hysterectomy following UFE treatment for large fibroids.
Alternatively, myomectomy and hysterectomy procedures remove fibroids entirely, offering fewer post-operative complications. CIGC founders Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul have developed the advanced LAAM myomectomy surgery to thoroughly remove even large fibroids with only 2 small incisions. The advanced DualPortGYN hysterectomy, also developed by CIGC physicians, is definitive fibroid treatment with two 5 mm incisions. Most women recover in less than 2 weeks following LAAM, and in 1 week following DualPortGYN surgery.
To schedule an appointment with a CIGC surgical specialist, call 888-SURGERY or reach out online. Women residing outside the Washington DC area can look into our travel program.
Gynecologic conditions are very common. Fibroids affect up to 80% of all women, and endometriosis affects 1 in 10. When it comes to treating complex GYN conditions, surgery may be recommended as a definitive treatment, or to achieve temporary relief from symptoms. All surgical procedures are NOT the same. It’s important to understand your physician’s surgical approach, and how it impacts recovery, in order to make the right decision when choosing a surgeon.
GYN SURGERY: WHERE SHOULD I GO?
When it comes to surgical treatment of complex GYN conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis, women should seek a specialist for optimal care. While the GYN condition may be diagnosed at your OBGYN’s office, it’s important to remember the regular OBGYN is not a surgical specialist. It is always ok to seek a surgical specialist for minimally invasive treatment of GYN conditions, and continue to be cared for by your regular OBGYN following surgery.
A former patient recently shared on Google her experience with GYN surgery at CIGC:
“My top rated OBGYN had me at a full [open] surgery with a 6-8 week, out of work recovery. So I started looking around. I ended up canceling my surgery with my OBGYN, and it was WELL worth it. Results? I walked a mile and a half just 7 days after surgery. I honestly couldn’t be happier.”
BENEFITS OF THE SURGICAL SPECIALIST APPROACH
As a patient, it is important to find out which surgeon has specialty training. Finding that surgeon will make all the difference in your recovery, pain levels, and your return to feeling normal again as soon as possible. Surgical GYN specialists focus 100% on gynecologic surgery, which is why they are better equipped to perform advanced minimally invasive procedures, with superior patient outcomes.
CIGC surgical specialists perform advanced laparoscopic procedures only, leading to 1-2 weeks recovery times for patients, vs 2-4 weeks with robotic surgery, and 6-8 weeks with open procedures.
“CIGC is amazing! I had my hysterectomy on my birthday and I am recovering very well! I was back to work and activities only a week after the surgery. I only have one visible incision and it so tiny and the other two incisions are navel and bikini cut so it’s not visible. When deciding on a hysterectomy make sure you are 100% percent comfortable with your surgeon. I had to find CIGC on my own because I wasn’t comfortable with my doctor doing it. Best decision I’ve ever made!”
CIGC’S ADVANCED SURGICAL TECHNIQUES
CIGC founders Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul developed advanced laparoscopic techniques using only 2 small midline incisions. Due to this advanced surgical approach, women recover in less than 2 weeks after surgery, with less complications and pain.
Fertility sparing LAAM myomectomy uses one 5 mm incision at the belly button and one 3 cm (1.5 in) incision at the bikini line, and women are usually back to work in 10-14 days. The DualPortGYN procedure is used for hysterectomy, endometriosis excision, resection of pelvic mass and other complex GYN conditions, and women recover in 7-10 days.
To get in touch with a CIGC patient relations coordinator, call 888-SURGERY or reach out online. Women travel to the Washington DC area for advanced GYN surgery from across the country and around the world: learn about CIGC’s travel program.
Fibroids often run in families, and they have been shown to affect African American women more severely. CIGC patient Akena shared her journey dealing with fibroid symptoms, and looking to find relief.
“In 2002/2003 my periods became really heavy and the cramping was unbearable. The fibroids actually became palpable to me. I could feel them. Fast forward 3-4 years later, in 2007 my fibroids had gotten so large that I had to have a myomectomy. I wanted the opportunity to have kids. It was an open procedure because my fibroids were so large. My gynecologist at the time told me I wasn’t a candidate for a laparoscopic procedure because they wouldn’t be able to get all of them.” said Akena.
“I think I was told that fibroids could come back, and pretty quickly. In 2010 the fibroids returned. The cramps got heavier, the bleeding got heavier. I knew they were going to be a problem and they are only going to get bigger.”
“I really wanted kids. Sometime last year, I started looking into my fertility. I went back to the same OB/GYN. He checked my ovarian reserve, which was really low. I went to a specialist. Over time, my ovarian reserve got worse. At this point. I hear the radio ad. I was so disappointed in my OB/GYN and discouraged by my fertility specialist. I needed to try something else. That’s when I reached out to The Center for Innovative GYN Care.”
SEEKING SPECIALTY GYN CARE
By the time Akena reached out to CIGC, her fibroids had severely grown and her symptoms had worsened. She went through a fertility screening again, to test her ovarian reserve.
“The results of my test were not what I wanted to hear. My uterus was essentially non-existent. The fibroids were pressing on my bladder and would engulf it if I didn’t take care of this. Dr. MacKoul was honest, saying the likelihood that you are going to be able to get pregnant on your own is very, very low. Finally, I’m coming to terms with the fact that he is right.”
“I had surgery at the end of summer. I got up the evening after my surgery, moving slowly, of course, but I was able to move around without assistance. I could concur with a lot of the stories that have already been told by other CIGC patients.”
“I realized having a hysterectomy was the best option for my particular situation. I had to shelve the fact that I’m not going to have a kid that comes from my own body. The fibroids were so large and affecting other things on the inside that he also had to remove an ovary.”
“My recovery has been amazing. The incisions are small, and it was nothing like having an open procedure. I’m very lucky to have a partner now who is supportive and who wants to get through this together. And he allowed me the space to get through this on my terms. I would wish and hope that any woman has the same support system I do, and to have such a supportive team throughout the surgical process.”
CIGC advanced laparoscopic specialists Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Natalya Danilyants, and CIGC-trained physician Dr. Rupen Baxi have provided minimally invasive surgical treatment for thousands of fibroid patients.
LAAM myomectomy is a uterus sparing procedure, performed on patients who are able to retain fertility. CIGC surgeons use 2 small incisions to remove fibroids any number and size. Women recover faster, with less pain, and are usually back to work in less than 2 weeks.
DualPortGYN hysterectomy is definitive fibroid treatment. CIGC specialists use two 5 mm incisions to remove the uterus, and women recover in 1 week.
CIGC is a proud sponsor of the event. At The Center for Innovative GYN Care, we treat complex GYN conditions like large fibroids or extensive endometriosis, which can lead to infertility. CIGC founders Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul and CIGC-trained physician Dr. Rupen Baxi use advanced laparoscopic techniques to remove fibroids and endometriosis, and women recover in days vs weeks. Many of our patients are able to conceive naturally after GYN surgery.
About 33 percent of women have a hysterectomy by the time they are 60. During this operation, all or part of the uterus is removed. Although hysterectomies are common, many women are unaware what the procedure implies. With a standard hysterectomy, the ovaries are preserved – only the uterus is removed. More in this blog from Dr. Natalya Danilyants: Your Hysterectomy Surgery: What About The Ovaries?
Understanding the Uterus and Ovaries
In the female body, the uterus allows the safe and healthy growth of a fetus. However, only the ovaries are involved in the production of eggs and hormones. This means a hysterectomy surgery does not typically impair hormonal health of otherwise-healthy women.
Fibroids can cause long, uncomfortable periods with painful cramps and very heavy bleeding. Some women suffer for years before they get diagnosed and start looking for treatment.
What Are Fibroids?
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that originate in the muscle of the uterus. Family history, obesity, and early onset of puberty can all make the condition more likely. 80% of all women have fibroids in their womb.
The Benefits Of Minimally Invasive Fibroid Surgery
Sometimes, fibroids can appear without presenting any symptoms. By the time a diagnosis is made, they may have grown, multiplied, and worsened significantly. In the past, women often left fibroids untreated because of the risks involved in fibroid removal surgery. With today’s advancements, women have better options for minimally invasive fibroid removal.
Both these procedures offer significant benefits to the patient:
Women recover faster, with less pain.
Both procedures are outpatient, and patients get to recover in the comfort of their home.
The 2 small incisions are cosmetically appealing and are barely visible once they heal.
Schedule An Evaluation
The sooner you get treatment for fibroids, the more likely you are to make a complete recovery with minimal complications. To get help from experts, call 888 –SURGERY or book a consultation online at the Center for Innovative GYN Care – the recognized provider of life-changing minimally invasive surgery.
Adenomyosis can be difficult to detect. It’s a complex GYN condition and symptoms are often debilitating. Pain can be severe and menstrual bleeding is heavy for some women. It is however one of the conditions that can be difficult to diagnose as it is not well understood by many physicians.
An MRI can often detect adenomyosis. An ultrasound can also be used, but it is less sensitive than an MRI. If the adenomyosis is small and diffuse, it may not appear on any imaging, and can only be diagnosed during surgery. As this is a disease of the uterus, the only definitive cure is hysterectomy.
Women often suffer through the pain thinking it’s normal, which creates barriers to treatment. It’s important to speak with a specialist about these symptoms as they can be relieved.
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT
Heavy menstrual bleeding from adenomyosis is not only disruptive, it is dangerous as it can cause anemia. The dangers of anemia include life-threatening complications such as congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and/or heart attack. You can learn more about the risks here.
Adenomyosis is contained within the uterus and the only definitive treatment is hysterectomy. Women who want to preserve fertility can temporarily manage adenomyosis symptoms with medication. Most of the time however these are not very effective, especially when the adenomyosis is extensive.
When it comes to lesser known GYN conditions like adenomyosis, women should seek a specialist for optimal care. A minimally invasive hysterectomy should be performed by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon who is fellowship trained on advanced techniques to prevent damage to the delicate structures in the pelvic cavity. Standard laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomies have a higher risk of damage to ureters, bowel and blood vessels.
SEE A SPECIALIST
To schedule an evaluation with a CIGC specialist, call 888-SURGERY or reach out online. Women travel from around the country and around the world for CIGC’s innovative procedures: learn about our travel program.
