CIGC Launches Patient Advocacy Program

Across medicine today, physicians are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to better connect and engage with their patients, and this is especially significant for women undergoing highly personal gynecological surgeries. As a result, CIGC launched a new patient advocacy program requiring PACs to undergo in-depth training to better understand conditions that include endometriosis and fibroids. The result is more timely treatment to ensure a higher level of success and much less pain and suffering.

The Center for Innovative GYN Care, with offices in the Washington DC and New York metro areas, announced the launch of the program this December. The full press release is available here: CIGC Launches New Patient Advocacy Program to Help Guide Women’s Experiences with Complex Female Health Surgeries.

CIGC is a state-of-the-art surgical practice using exclusive gynecologic techniques developed by the founders, Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Natalya Danilyants. Women travel from across the country and around the world for the groundbreaking DualPortGYN and LAAM-BUAO procedures, designed to optimize surgical outcomes, and provide a faster recovery at home. To learn more, visit innovativegyn.com.

 

CIGC Study Highlights Challenges In Diagnosing Adenomyosis

The Center for Innovative GYN Care announced new data on women’s health issues, in advance of National Women’s Health Month. A CIGC study highlights the challenges in diagnosing adenomyosis in women. Results showed that 56 percent of hysterectomy patients had adenomyosis in their pathology, and yet, in patients with no other pathology, adenomyosis was identified in only 11 percent of MRIs and 16 percent of transvaginal ultrasounds – the current standard of care in diagnosis of this condition. As a result, OBGYNs often have a difficult time diagnosing adenomyosis with certainty, especially before surgery, or before pathology results become available.

It is important that doctors don’t dismiss the diagnosis of adenomyosis or endometriosis prior to surgical intervention, especially for women who are experiencing chronic pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding or infertility, as it may result in untreated or inadequate treatment. Improper diagnosis can result in suboptimal treatment, and may require additional surgeries for patients. Our data further highlights the need for patients and doctors, both primary care physicians and specialists, to be aware of the different pathologies that relate to each of these health issues, especially when fertility can be compromised.

Read the full press release here: The Center for Innovative GYN Care Announces New Data on Women’s Health Issues

To schedule an appointment with a CIGC surgical specialist Dr. Natalya Danilyants or Dr. Paul MacKoul, call 888-SURGERY or reach out online. Patient feedback is available on our website under Patient Testimonials, and on doctor review sites: Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews.

The Case for ASCs: Less Cost, Better Outcomes for Patients

In a recent Health and Hospital Management article, I explore how Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) have expanded tremendously in recent years, with orthopedics, ophthalmology, general surgeons and otolaryngology physicians composing the majority of these centers. By contrast, GYN surgery continues to be performed overwhelmingly at hospital centers with obstetrics-focused OB/GYNs rather than GYN surgical specialists. Patients deserve the best possible care and should research their options beyond open, hospital-bound surgery.

From the article:

Regardless of where they live or what they do, patients should never have to undergo any open procedure when there is a better option that dramatically decreases recovery time, pain, incision size and complications – all at a lower cost to the patient and healthcare system. Patients need to seek out these highly specialized centers and look for surgeons beyond their OBGYN generalist to ensure the highest quality of care possible. This self-advocacy approach by the patient is absolutely essential to obtain the best quality of care and is very much needed in this era of patient advocacy and the search for value-based care. Patients who take the time and effort to seek out practices such as The Center for Innovative GYN Care and others will achieve that goal of the best possible surgery at the lowest possible cost. This is, after all, what value based care should be all about.

Read the full article: “ASC Expansion of GYN Surgery to Patients in Rural Areas”

CIGC Co-founders Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul developed advanced laparoscopic procedures that help women recover faster, with less pain, after GYN surgery. To schedule a consult, give us a call at 888-SURGERY or reach out online. Patient testimonials are available on the CIGC website, and on doctor review sites: Natalya Danilyants, MD Reviews | Paul MacKoul, MD Reviews.

Heavy Monthly Bleeding Can Be A Sign of A Complex GYN Condition. When Is It Too Much?

Heavy monthly bleeding can be a real nuisance: soaking through menstrual pads or super tampons can interrupt a woman’s work, school, and even social life. Many women aren’t aware that a GYN condition such as fibroids or adenomyosis could be the underlying cause, and if left untreated these conditions can worsen or lead to anemia. 

Anemia can lead to fatigue, dizziness, irregular heart rhythms, and cognitive problems. Moreover, anemia must be managed using iron supplements or infusions, or even blood transfusions. A blood test can reveal if you’re anemic, but treating the anemia won’t solve the underlying issue.

Read more about abnormal bleeding, what causes it, and how to treat it on WTOP: Heavy monthly bleeding: When is it too much?

Women don’t have to settle for a life of pain, fatigue, and embarrassment. Minimally invasive options exist that will safely treat the cause. CIGC surgical specialists Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul use the advanced LAAM technique for minimally invasive fibroid removal to preserve fertility, and the DualPortGYN technique for hysterectomy to treat adenomyosis. Hear from our patients: read testimonials in our patient spotlight section, and on third party review sites: Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews.

To schedule an evaluation with a CIGC physician, call 888-SURGERY or reach out online. Women residing outside the Washington DC area can also learn about our travel program.

CIGC Hysterectomy Patients Recover Faster, Have Less Pain, With DualPortGYN

Using two 5-mm incisions placed in the midline, the CIGC surgical specialists are able to avoid the abdominal muscles and minimize scarring, not to mention reducing pain. Advanced techniques, RP Dissection and Uterine Artery Ligation (UAL), allow the surgeon to get a full view of the pelvic cavity and reduce blood loss. All procedures are performed as outpatient surgery, so patients are discharged after surgery on the same day. Recovery is about 1 week, compared with 6-8 weeks for an open procedure.

While open procedures account for the overwhelming majority of hysterectomies performed across the United States, most women are candidates for a DualPortGYN hysterectomy, even those:

• with an enlarged uterus or large fibroids.
• who have had prior cesarean section or other prior pelvic surgical procedures.
• who are not candidates for vaginal hysterectomy.

The Center for Innovative GYN Care, with offices in the Washington DC area, provides advanced surgical treatment for complex GYN conditions. CIGC specialists Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul have innovated highly advanced techniques such as DualPortGYN and LAAM, to treat fibroids and endometriosis using only two small incisions. Women recover faster, with less pain. To schedule an evaluation, call 888-SURGERY or reach out online.

There Are 12 Days Left in Endometriosis Awareness Month. Do You Have All The Facts?

Imagine living with debilitating and disruptive pain for up to 10 years before a doctor accurately diagnoses what is happening to you. For nearly 300 million women worldwide, this is what it’s like living with endometriosis.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and women everywhere should get the facts about endo pain and how to find relief. Early detection and intervention can minimize the pain and damage endometriosis can cause.

Endometriosis is more than just painful or heavy periods; it occurs when endometrial cells implant in other parts of the body outside of the uterus, causing painful inflammation and bleeding that coincides with a woman’s period. These cells have been found on the bowel, in the lungs, even in the brain.

The only way to diagnose endometriosis it is through laparoscopy, a procedure by which an endoscope, or small camera, is inserted into the pelvic cavity via a small incision. Removing endometriomas requires the skill of an advanced-trained GYN laparoscopic specialist who can repair delicate structures in the uterus, bowel, or other areas of the pelvic cavity.

Although there is currently no cure for endometriosis, relief from endo pain is possible with the GYN specialists at CIGC.

Read more about endometriosis treatment success stories and treatment options in this recent CIGC article: March Is Endometriosis Awareness Month

To get in touch with an advanced CIGC surgical specialist Dr. Natalya Danilyants or Dr. Paul MacKoul, call 888-SURGERY, or reach out online. Women residing outside the Washington DC area, who consider traveling for advanced GYN surgery, can look into CIGC’s travel program.

Nurse Practitioner Abayomi Walker joins The Center for Innovative GYN Care

We are pleased to welcome nurse Abayomi Walker to our Rockville, MD office at The Center for Innovative GYN Care. Ms. Walker has the experience, empathy and expertise that will help our team provide women with excellent 360 gynecologic care, including follow-up from the CIGC laparoscopic surgical care that reduces the risk of complications, and allows for a faster recovery at home. She is a valuable addition to our team. Read more in this PR Newswire press release.

CIGC’s advanced procedures treat complex GYN conditions with exclusive laparoscopic techniques, helping women recover faster, and return to their lives sooner. Patient feedback is available in the Patient Testimonials section of the CIGC website, and on doctor review sites: Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews.

To schedule an appointment with nurse Walker, or CIGC surgical specialists Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul, reach out to our Patient Relations Coordinators at 888-SURGERY or online. Women residing outside the Washington DC area, can look into CIGC’s travel program.

Treat GYN Conditions That Affect Fertility, Before IVF

Complex gynecologic conditions can affect fertility in women. Treating underlying causes such as fibroids and endometriosis, before undergoing IVF, can improve outcomes. In many cases, removing these barriers can also help some women get pregnant naturally.

It is imperative that expensive fertility treatments are predicated by a thorough medical review of a mother, surrogate or donor. Both parents should undergo appropriate testing, but if underlying conditions like fibroids, polyps, or endometriosis, or physical abnormalities like uterine septum are not treated in advance, there is an increased likelihood of a failed pregnancy, or risk of pre-term birth. Partnering with a GYN surgical specialist to correct these obstacles can ensure candidates for fertility treatments are given every opportunity to make their investment count.

Read more in this recent CIGC article, share by WTOP:
Fertility clinic investors are banking on multi-cycle IVF treatments

CIGC co-founders Dr. Natalya Danilyants and Dr. Paul MacKoul have innovated advanced laparoscopic techniques for the surgical management of complex GYN conditions. The exclusive LAAM and DualPortGYN procedures help women achieve relief faster, and get back to their lives sooner.

To get in touch with a CIGC surgical specialist, call 888-SURGERY or reach out online. CIGC patient feedback is available in the patient testimonials section of our website, and on third party review sites: Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews.

Delaying Fibroids & Endometriosis Treatment Can Be Dangerous

Uterine fibroids can be unpredictable. They can continue to grow, and in some cases grow very large, very fast. Removing them when they are smaller can help preserve a woman’s fertility, but will also result in a faster recovery for the patient. The larger the fibroid, the more damage to the uterus.

With endometriosis, the condition can cause a lot of damage to the reproductive system, if left untreated. We’ve seen countless patients who’ve been told for years, that their pain is in their head. We all need to think more about what the patient is experiencing with these conditions, and the risks they face with surgery when their condition is allowed to go unchecked.

Read more in this recent CIGC article, shared by WTOP:
The silence & stigma of period pain: fibroids, endometriosis can destroy a woman’s life.

To get in touch with an advanced CIGC surgical specialist Dr. Natalya Danilyants or Dr. Paul MacKoul, call 888-SURGERY, or reach out online. Women residing outside the Washington DC area, who consider traveling for advanced GYN surgery, can look into CIGC’s travel program.

 

UFE Is A Risk For Women With Large Fibroids

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.

Additional information is available in this recent article provided by The Center for Innovative GYN Care and shared by WTOP:
Hysterectomy may still be required after an embolization procedure.

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.

Myomectomy and hysterectomy patient reviews are available on the CIGC blog in the patient spotlight section, as well as on doctor review sites: Dr. Natalya Danilyants reviews | Dr. Paul MacKoul reviews.

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.