Minimally Invasive Surgery
When you have a gynecological problem requiring surgery, Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida offers highly skilled surgeons who can perform traditional surgeries as well as minimally invasive gynecological surgeries, including in-office surgery, advanced laparoscopy and da Vinci® robotics. Minimally invasive surgeries are associated with a faster, easier recovery, less time in the hospital, and a lower risk of complications. Our board-certified ob-gyns use minimally invasive techniques in performing hysterectomies, treating pelvic organ prolapse and endometriosis, and removing uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and uterine polyps.
The advantages of laparoscopy and robotic surgery techniques
Unlike traditional surgical procedures requiring large incisions, laparoscopy involves the insertion of a tiny, fiber-optic camera into the pelvic area that enables the doctor to diagnose and treat an array of gynecologic disorders. If a problem needs to be fixed, tiny surgical instruments can be inserted through additional small incisions in the abdomen. Similarly, da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgeries are performed using a small incision in the belly button and a few incisions of about a centimeter or two throughout your abdomen. In robotic surgery, your surgeon guides specialized instruments via a console. The instruments move like the human wrist and hand, but with a greater range of motion. The da Vinci® system also provides the surgeon with highly magnified, 3D, high-definition views of the surgical area. With laparoscopic and robotic surgery, bleeding and post-operative pain are minimized. Some minimally invasive procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, while others require a short hospital stay.
How to know if you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery
Not every surgery can be performed using robotics or laparoscopy. Your doctor will evaluate you to create an appropriate treatment plan, which may need to involve traditional “open” surgery. Along the way, you will be fully informed about the recommended course of treatment and have all your questions answered.
If you have a gynecological problem that might require surgery and would like to find out if you would be a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, you can request a new patient appointment online. If you are already an established patient, you can book online through the patient portal. Or you can always call (239) 432-5858 to schedule a consultation with one of Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida’s women’s health-care providers in Fort Myers, Cape Coral or Lehigh Acres.