Plaza OB/GYN is proud to offer Minimally Invasive Procedures (MIPs) to treat gynecological conditions in a safer and more convenient way. From hysterectomy to vaginal prolapse surgery, our minimally invasive gynecological procedures require very small incisions with minimal pain and scarring. Our patients enjoy shorter hospital stays typically lasting less than 24 hours, and faster recovery times within a few days. Providing convenience, comfort, and exceptional care, minimally invasive procedures are performed at the Binz Surgery Center located on the second floor of our building. Binz Surgery Center located on the second floor of our building.
Hysteroscopy allows your doctor to look inside the uterus in order to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding. This is done using a thin, lighted tube, known as a hysteroscope, that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus. A hysteroscopy may also be conducted for infertility issues, to see if there’s a problem in the uterus that is preventing pregnancy, or to remove fibroids in the uterus.
Used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding, endometrial ablation treatment permanently hinders the endometrium’s (lining of uterus) ability to grow. The minimally invasive procedure decreases the amount of menstrual bleeding, makes periods lighter, or stops them completely. Women can freely return to normal activity the next day. However, this treatment is not intended for women who wish to become pregnant in the future.
Laparoscopic tubal ligation is a surgical sterilization procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are either clamped and blocked or severed and sealed. Both methods prevent eggs from being fertilized. Tubal ligation is a permanent method of sterilization.
Traditional hysterectomy procedures can be uncomfortable, require a hospital stay of three to five days, and a healing time of six weeks. On the other hand, a minimally-invasive hysterectomy utilizes state-of-the-art technology for faster recovery times and a shorter hospital stay.
In a vaginal hysterectomy, no incision is made as the uterus is removed vaginally, and does not leave a visible scar. Furthermore, abdominal muscles are not stretched during the procedure, allowing for less pain and discomfort after the surgery.
An outpatient surgical procedure, tubal reversal involves the repairing and restoration of a woman’s previously cut fallopian tubes by suturing them back together. A small incision (roughly 3 cm) is done in the lower abdomen to allow access to the tubes and repair them. This will make it possible for the patient to become pregnant by once again allowing the egg (ovum) to unite with the sperm and allow a fertilized egg to pass through into the uterus. The patient will be able to go home the same day following the procedure.
In a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), the surgeon uses a laparoscope to gain a better view of the uterus and surrounding organs. With the added view, surgeons can easily and safely remove the uterus, and recovery time is quick and relatively painless. In a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSCH), the surgeon uses laparoscopic tools to safely separate the uterus from the cervix and remove it through a small abdominal incision. With an LSCH, the cervix is left in place, and recovery time is comparable to our other procedures.
Vaginal prolapse occurs when the upper vagina drops down into the vaginal canal or outside of the vagina causing pelvic heaviness or pressure. Vaginal prolapse surgery corrects this issue by re-attaching the top of the vagina to the supporting ligaments.
Incontinence surgery is an option for women experiencing stress incontinence or overactive bladder. It can provide a long-term solutions in severe cases where symptoms haven’t responded to conservative treatment or are disrupting your daily life. One such cause of incontinence is pelvic prolapse which can be treated through pelvic reconstructive surgery. Our physicians have extensive experience with pelvic reconstructive surgery, which involves the surgical repair or replacement of the supportive tissues surrounding the sagging organ. Performed through the vagina, prolapsed organs are repositioned during the procedure. In addition, we provide a sling procedure to correct incontinence.
The preferred treatment for women who desire to become pregnant, a myomectomy is a surgical procedure that allows uterine fibroids to be removed while keeping the uterus intact. Myomectomies are also used to remove tumors if the fibroids are causing heavy bleeding and give pelvic pain.
- Our Surgical Techniques
- Operative Laparoscopy
Our minimally-invasive operative laparoscopy surgery makes a small incision to reduce patient discomfort and pain. Using a set of small instruments, a tube with a camera is inserted carefully to evaluate causes of our patient’s pelvic pain. This technique is used in laparoscopically assisted hysterectomies and laparoscopic tubal ligation, In addition is used to diagnose endometriosis and develop ways of treating it.
Specially trained in the da Vinci® surgical system, Plaza OB/GYN’s use the da Vinci robot, a proprietary advanced minimally-invasive tool to perform gynecological procedures with great precision. The da Vinci® tool gives our physicians greater flexibility and mobility. The da Vinci® tool also incorporates 3-D imaging, giving surgeons the ability to focus on you rather than looking back and forth between the tools and a monitor. This da Vinci® advanced surgical technology is used in:
- Total and partial hysterectomy
- Uterine fibroids removal
- Pelvic prolapsed (urinary incontinence)
Minimally invasive procedures offer many benefits over traditional open surgeries. All MIPs result in faster recovery, less time in the hospital, less pain, and less scarring. If you have any questions, please contact us.
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Dr. Galagoda
Dr. De Leon
Isam Balat, M.D.
Dr. Michael Balat, M.D.
Minimal Invasive FAQ
Minimally-invasive procedures are surgical techniques that utilize small incisions and specialized instruments to perform various gynecological surgeries with less trauma to the body compared to traditional open surgeries.
Plaza OBGYN Houston offers a range of minimally-invasive procedures including laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, hysteroscopic surgery, endometrial ablation, and laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy among others.
Minimally-invasive procedures offer numerous benefits . They are done as outpatient in our surgery center and this way hospital stays are avoided .There is faster recovery times, reduced pain and scarring, lower risk of infection, and quicker return to daily activities compared to traditional open surgeries.
Many patients are candidates for minimally-invasive surgery. Factors such as the type and severity of the condition, overall health, and previous surgeries will be considered by your OBGYN to determine if you’re a suitable candidate.
Recovery times vary depending on the specific procedure and individual patient factors. However, most patients can expect a quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgeries, with many returning to normal activities within a few days to two weeks.
Laparoscopic surgery involves making small incisions in the abdomen to access and treat conditions within the pelvic area, such as removing fibroids or ovarian cysts. Hysteroscopic surgery involves inserting a thin, lighted instrument through the vagina and cervix to diagnose and treat conditions within the uterus, such as polyps or fibroids.
Minimally-invasive procedures are generally safe when performed by experienced surgeons in appropriate surgical settings.
Dr. Isam Balat at Plaza OBGYN Houston is a member of the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery. This is a society for well experienced minimally invasive surgeons.
Will discuss the potential risks and benefits of the procedure with you before scheduling surgery.
Minimally-invasive procedures typically result in smaller scars compared to traditional open surgeries. The incisions are usually small and heal well, often leaving minimal scarring that fades over time.
Your OBGYN will provide specific instructions on how to prepare for your minimally-invasive procedure. This may include fasting before surgery, stopping certain medications, and arranging for transportation to and from the hospital or surgical center.
In many cases, minimally-invasive procedures are covered by health insurance plans. However, coverage may vary depending on your insurance provider and specific policy. It’s recommended to check with your insurance company beforehand to understand your coverage options.
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