Choosing A Minimally Invasive Surgery Option

We understand that patients want and need options for many gynecological conditions including bleeding and pelvic pain. When surgery is the best choice for a patient, we offer many minimally invasive surgery options to help you recover quickly. Patients have many questions about minimally invasive surgery and what they may be able to help with. In this video, Dr. Jaqua and Dr. Harris give an overview of the common questions patients have about symptoms and the procedures that may be able to help.

What is minimally invasive surgery?

It is a surgical procedures where you are able to go home the same day and return to normal activity within 1-3 weeks. Most of these surgeries do not require a hospital stay and we are able to perform them in our out-patient surgery center. The center is adjacent to our offices in both Edina and Burnsville, Minnesota.

Why am I bleeding heavily? Is this normal?

If you are having heavy bleeding, we will do a full evaluation in our office to determine the best option for you. One of these options may be an endometrial oblation. This is a short outpatient procedure that for 85% of women may stop their bleeding altogether. A thin probe is inserted into the uterus that destroys a thin layer of the uterine lining.

I’m having pain in my pelvic area, what could be wrong?

It is important to schedule an appointment with one of our providers if you are experience pelvic pain. They will help determine the cause of your pain and whether or not surgery is right for you. Some causes of pelvic pain include ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

If a hysterectomy is recommended, what can I expect and how long will it take to recover?

A minimally invasive hysterectomy is a safe option for most patients. With this procedure we are able to remove the uterus with very small incisions. For most women, there is not significant pain and they are able to return to their normal activities in a few weeks. During a hysterectomy we are removing the uterus, not the ovaries so menopause is not inevitable with this surgery.

I’ve been leaking urine, what can be done?

After evaluating the cause of your leakage, the bladder sling is a viable option for many women. The sling is a piece of mesh that is placed under the urethra to help support the bladder and prevent leakage.

I have uterine fibroids, does that mean I need a hysterectomy?

Not necessarily, but if you do, a laparoscopic or robotic assisted hysterectomy are minimally invasive options that may be right for you. With these procedures, robotic tools are used through small incisions to remove the uterus. There is no overnight hospital stay and women are able to return to daily activities within a few weeks.

I have a cyst on my ovary, do I need to have surgery?

Some cysts are able to resolve on their own, but if surgery is necessary we can often remove the cyst laparoscopically. This would involve small incisions on the abdomen and you will be able to go home the same day.