Women dealing with fibroids should know: fibroids tend to grow, and they can get very large, very fast. It's important to recognize symptoms and get treatment early, before extensive damage occurs. The dangers of anemia, the barriers to motherhood, as well as the impact on bladder, kidneys and circulation are all explained in this recent CIGC blog: An In-Depth Look At Fibroids Symptoms And Procedures. At CIGC, surgical treatment of fibroids is achieved either with a minimally invasive myomectomy using the LAAM technique or a minimally invasive hysterectomy using the DualPortGYN technique. While fibroids can grow back after a myomectomy, it is the preferred choice for women who still desire fertility. Hysterectomy is definitive fibroids treatment and is often the best choice for women struggling with symptoms, who no longer wish to get pregnant. Helpful facts are available in this blog: Facts About Fibroids Every Woman Should Know.
CIGC patients have shared their experience with both procedures, you can read their testimonials here: Women Talk About LAAM: A Safer & Better Myomectomy Looking For A Top Hysterectomy Surgery: Women Talk About DualPortGYN To discuss your fibroid surgery with a CIGC physician Dr. Paul MacKoul MD or Dr. Natalya Danilyants MD, reach out online to schedule an appointment or call us at 888-SURGERY. Visit online review sites for more feedback from CIGC patients: Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews | Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews.
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Many women who struggle with severe symptoms from complex GYN conditions have limited options for treatment close to home. It can be challenging to find a doctor who will listen and who is able to provide minimally invasive treatment for complex cases like large fibroids or extensive endometriosis. We often see women who were recommended hysterectomy when it wasn’t necessary, or open surgery with up to 2 months recovery time, as their physician was not able to provide a less invasive approach. The Center for Innovative GYN Care launched a travel program for women who reside outside the Washington DC area, and don’t have minimally invasive options for treatment closer to home. We’ve had patients travel to CIGC from 42 states and 8 countries around the world. Some of our patients have kindly agreed to share their stories and spoke about their journey and how they have been feeling since surgery. Raynelle, New Jersey: Minimally Invasive Fibroid Removal With LAAM “My mother, my husband, my sister, my mother-in-law – anyone who had a stake in me getting pregnant - they all started doing research and talking to friends. Two separate sources recommended The Center for Innovative GYN Care. I have family in the area, so I was able to stay with them for the rest of that week. I went back to work a week later. I could have gone back before then.” Sheridan, Texas: Minimally Invasive Endometriosis Excision With DualPortGYN “After the surgery, it was a bit rough immediately after, but by Saturday, just over a day after I returned home, I was up and around. By comparison, a year and a half ago I had a partial hysterectomy that was an open procedure. It took me weeks to get back on my feet and start to feel like I could get back to normal activity. It’s nice to have my energy back. I like to keep myself busy.” Jenny, Wisconsin: Minimally Invasive Fibroid Removal With LAAM “My mom checked on me the first two days after the surgery because she felt she needed to, but other than spending time with me, I really didn’t need much. I had heard and seen what other women had gone through for fibroid removal. Their recoveries were much longer. I really appreciated the small incision. I compared what I experienced to other women when I got home, and they were amazed.” Cassandra, New York: Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy With DualPortGYN “The first thing I did when I started to come out of it, I started to look under the sheet and I said ‘Yay, my stomach’s flat!’ and then went back to sleep. I went back to New York on the second day after my surgery, and I felt fine to travel. I feel like I sleep a lot better now, my sleeping pattern has returned, I have energy. And I haven’t changed anything else. That part has been very gratifying.” LEARN ABOUT OUR TRAVEL PROGRAM
To learn more about CIGC’s travel program, click here. Women choose to come to the Washington DC area for GYN surgery so they can recover faster, and with less pain. CIGC surgeons Natalya Danilyants MD and Paul MacKoul MD use advanced laparoscopic techniques like LAAM for fibroid removal and DualPortGYN for hysterectomy, endometriosis excision and other procedures. With these advanced techniques, recovery is under 2 weeks and only 2 small incisions are used. Call 888-SURGERY or contact us online to book your appointment. You can find more patient feedback on doctor review sites: Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews. FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook | Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Twitter | Paul MacKoul MD on Twitter Natalya Danilyants MD on LinkedIn | Paul MacKoul MD on LinkedIn Hysterectomy is a common GYN procedure that over 500,000 women undergo every year, however many are unaware what in entails. 7 in 10 women incorrectly believe that it entails removal of the uterus, cervix and ovaries. With a standard hysterectomy, the ovaries are preserved. Standard hysterectomy refers to the removal of the uterus only and it does not lead to menopause. The ovaries, which produce the female hormones, are not removed, and such a standard hysterectomy will not cause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings or sexual dysfunction. Total hysterectomy refers to the removal of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries and it does lead to menopause in patients who are still having periods. Removal of the ovaries is called oophorectomy. Women can safely take estrogen replacement following an oophorectomy. At CIGC, laparoscopic hysterectomy is performed using the DualPortGYN approach, developed by Paul MacKoul MD and Natalya Danilyants MD. With this innovative technique, even large uteri, of up to 20 pounds, can be removed with only two 5 MM incisions. Learn more about standard hysterectomy vs total hysterectomy and the changes that a woman's body goes through after each procedure in this recent blog on Dr. Natalya Danilyant's Tumblr: Your Hysterectomy Surgery: What About The Ovaries? BOOK A CONSULT
Searching for the best hysterectomy surgery can be challenging. Never hesitate to get a second opinion if you feel like your concerns haven't been addressed. To discuss minimally invasive hysterectomy with a CIGC physician, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. To learn more about DualPortGYN hysterectomy from our former patients, read their testimonials here: Looking For A Top Hysterectomy Surgery: Women Talk About DualPortGYN FOLLOW US Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook | Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Twitter | Paul MacKoul MD on Twitter Natalya Danilyants MD on LinkedIn | Paul MacKoul MD on LinkedIn
Fitness trainer Adrienne W. from Waldorf, MD is an extremely active woman. She starts working with her client as early as 5 or 5:30 AM, sometimes until 8 PM, while also teaching her children in homeschool. For several years Adrienne struggled with large fibroids, which compromised her active lifestyle. Her doctors were telling her to accept the symptoms, but she could feel the quality of her life was worsening.
“You start to live your life around your symptoms. I knew that the quality of my life had changed for the worst, based on my lifestyle and the things I wanted to do. Even laying on my stomach was uncomfortable. I am a fitness trainer. I used to teach dance and it turned into fitness, and then later, heavy duty strength training. My trainers are all professional boxers. I’m also a nutritionist. It goes hand in hand, healthy inside and out.” said Adrienne. ADRIENNE’S SYMPTOMS WERE DISMISSED FOR YEARS For years, Adrienne’s symptoms were dismissed as common. She felt like no one was willing to address her concerns and really look at what was causing her health to deteriorate. “For about 10 years, I had the same OBGYN. I had a C-section for my son, and right about when he was 2, I started complaining about some things. She told me that this happens as you get older. I told her year after year, I was having pain and pressure. I looked like I swallowed a basketball. ‘Welcome to 40!’ is not an answer. I had ultrasounds, but I don’t know what they were doing with the results. I had a group of doctors who never looked deeper. They were treating me for acid reflux and GERD. I knew that wasn’t what was wrong, so I never took the medication. Not once during those 4 years, did anyone say anything about a hernia or fibroids.” “I had written a letter. I knew that the doctors weren’t giving me the care I needed. At that point, we were getting new insurance. All of a sudden I got a call saying that they looked at the sonogram, and that I needed a hysterectomy. I was scheduled to have a full hysterectomy in December before the insurance changed. That was the only option they gave me, and it was going to be another c-section procedure.” “I canceled that procedure. I found a new doctor and she was awesome, and went through the sonogram line-by-line with me, and told me things my other OB/GYN never told me in the 10 years I was with him. She also said I should have a hysterectomy, but she was only able to do it one way. She did recommended uterine artery embolization with another doctor, but I looked into it and it wasn’t something I felt comfortable with. I scheduled the hysterectomy. Right as I was about to have surgery, I had a back injury and had to cancel it. At this point, I’m actually grateful for my back injury. I feel like it saved me.” FINDING THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR FIBROIDS Getting diagnosed is often only the beginning of the journey as finding the right doctor and treatment can be challenging. Many women in their 20s and 30s want to maintain fertility and are often told that hysterectomy is their only option. Many times the limitation is with the surgeon’s inability to perform fibroid removal with preservation of the uterus. Women should never hesitate to get a second opinion if they feel like their questions and concerns haven’t been fully addressed. “One night I was up late, and was searching and found The Center for Innovative GYN Care. I was so happy, and teared up. This was a miracle. This was everything I had been looking for. I had a consultation with Natalya Danilyants MD and was ready to have the surgery that day. Everyone was so helpful and courteous. They explained everything. I wasn’t nervous, even with the risks of a myomectomy. Three other doctors told me that a myomectomy was not possible, and refused to perform the surgery.” A SAFER MYOMECTOMY WITH LAAM LAAM is Laparoscopically Assisted Abdominal Myomectomy and it is a fibroid removal procedure that preserves the uterus for fertility. With this approach any size or number of fibroids can be removed, even fibroids deep in the muscle and in the cavity of the uterus. Only 2 small incisions are used, and recovery is very fast: 10-14 days. You can learn more about the technique here: LAAM: An Innovative Laparoscopic Myomectomy “I have other organs that I’ve had removed that altered my hormones. I’m anti surgery, but this was something so different. I read everything, and understood. I recovered in less than a week. I’ve had other surgery before and the recovery was terrible. This was night and day!” “The incisions were so perfect. All of the symptoms after the surgery just vanished. My stomach is deflated, and Dr. Danilyants fixed my hernia. I’ve already sent some women to CIGC, because they are the only surgeons I trust.” Adrienne said.
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If you would to discuss your options for minimally invasive fibroid removal, with or without preservation of the uterus, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online to schedule an appointment. CIGC physicians Dr. Natalya E. Danilyants MD and Dr. Paul J. MacKoul MD use advanced surgical techniques for laparoscopic myomectomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy procedures. CIGC has offices in Rockville, MD, Annapolis, MD and Reston, VA. Patients who reside outside the Washington DC area can look into our travel program. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Natalya Danilyants MD on LinkedIn | Paul MacKoul MD on LinkedIn Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook | Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Twitter | Paul MacKoul MD on Twitter When hysterectomy is recommended, women wonder about the effects of the procedure and changes they will have to deal with. During a recent live webinar on DualPortGYN hysterectomy, women in the Washington DC area have asked questions to find out more about the surgery. At CIGC, minimally invasive hysterectomy is performed with 2 small incisions and recovery time is 1 week. EXCERPT Q. What happens to the ovaries after a hysterectomy, do they attach somewhere else? A. When we look at pictures of the uterus on the internet it looks like the fallopian tubes are holding up the ovaries. In actuality the ovaries are attached by their own separate ligaments, with their own separate blood supply, to the pelvis. The ovaries function independently of the uterus. Find more common questions & answers from Dr. Natalya Danilyants MD and Dr. Paul J. MacKoul MD in this recent blog: How Will Hysterectomy Help Me? TALK TO CIGC
To discuss your hysterectomy surgery with a CIGC physician, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. The Center for Innovative GYN Care has offices in Rockville, MD, Annapolis, MD and Reston, VA. Women residing outside the area can look into our travel program. GET TO KNOW US The Center for Innovative GYN Care: Who We Are About Natalya Danilyants MD | About Paul MacKoul MD Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook | Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Twitter | Paul MacKoul MD on Twitter
Kimberly from Dallas, TX was diagnosed with endometriosis 13 years ago, at age 23. She had been struggling with pelvic pain and had a laparoscopic procedure to remove endometrial implants. Kimberly was trying to get pregnant and went through years of fertility treatments. After two miscarriages, she decided to give her body a break.
“I noticed at first the pain wasn’t as bad as before, but I started thinking my endometriosis had grown back. At that point, we had wanted to start trying for a baby again, but the pain was getting worse. I saw my gynecologist and he brushed me off.” Kimberly remembers how one night in December 2014 her pain got so severe that she had to be rushed to the ER. “I had a big complex ovarian cyst. The ER doctors told me to follow up with my gynecologist, who brushed me off again. I decided I needed to find a specialist. I found one here in my area. I had surgery in May 2015, and was scraped pretty clean. I had masses on the left and right ovary. After that surgery, I was in a tremendous amount of pain. At that point, the specialist also said that he thought I had adenomyosis. My endometriosis was also some of the worst he’d ever seen.” Resection of endometriosis must be performed by an experienced, skilled specialist and needs to be thorough in order to avoid pelvic adhesions, and avoid damaging delicate structures in the pelvic cavity. The surgical approach makes all the difference in the final surgical outcome and the patient’s recovery. For Kimberly, recovery was tough. KIMBERLY’S GYN CONDITIONS CAUSED SEVERE SYMPTOMS AND AFFECTED HER ABILITY TO CONCEIVE “Even though my cycle was screwed up, my doctor said if I wanted to have kids, now would be the time. I went to see a fertility specialist who performed a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). The HSG showed that my fallopian tubes were damaged: One was mangled and one was blocked.” It was hard for Kimberly to conceive a child naturally and there was a high risk of her not being able to carry to term. Endometriosis can severely affect a woman’s reproductive system. With adenomyosis, endometrial cells grow into the wall of the uterus and cause severe symptoms. “The pain was so bad sometimes, I felt like I was going to pass out, throw up or both. In January, I started bleeding heavily in a way I had never done before. Twenty-four hours after I went to the emergency room. The results from that visit showed that I was within the normal blood volume range. They told me to follow-up with my gynecologist. He couldn’t see me for almost a week. I saw another GYN at another office, and she gave me some medication, but the bleeding hadn’t stopped by Wednesday. I called the GYN and she asked if I had passed out, I said no, but I felt lightheaded. She told me to go to the emergency room. It was the icing on the cake. At this point, I couldn’t have children, I was in so much pain, and now almost bleeding to death. I knew it was time to have my uterus removed.” LOOKING FOR THE BEST HYSTERECTOMY PROCEDURE & OVERCOMING THE FEAR Kimberly researched her options looking for a top hysterectomy surgery and found CIGC online. “The Center for Innovative GYN Care popped up in my newsfeed on Facebook, probably because I’d been searching online for hysterectomy surgery. I liked how detailed the website was and how much information was on there. Since I couldn’t find what I was looking for in Texas, I took a chance and called. The scheduler was able get me in to see Dr. Danilyants in a couple of weeks.” Too many women who’ve had hysterectomies performed by a non-specialist, have dealt with severe post-surgical complications. In 2006, Kimberly’s mom had an experimental robotic hysterectomy that led to complications which resulted in her dying during a later operation. Deciding to have this procedure was not an easy choice for Kimberly. Click to learn more about the disadvantages of robotic surgery. “All of the women in my family have had endometriosis and fibroids. My mom had major problems with fibroids. She needed to have several transfusions. She let it go too long, and she ultimately decided that she needed to have a hysterectomy to survive. The surgeon that she found wasn’t her normal gynecologist. He used the DaVinci machine, which wasn’t well understood and new to the market at the time. He decided he wanted to play with the machine and test it out on her, even though he told her she wasn’t a good candidate for machine use. It was so new, a rep from the robot manufacturer was there in the surgery with the doctor. The hysterectomy took 9 hours, he didn’t know what he was doing. As a result, my mother ended up with complete loss of her kidneys and had to be put on dialysis, and developed foot drop. She had a brace on her leg. One day, she got up and tripped and broke her leg. It never healed, and kept getting infected. She lost part of her leg below the knee to amputation. She also ended up with a life-threatening hernia in her abdomen. After years of pain, countless surgeries, several days of dialysis each week, loss of her leg, and confinement to a wheelchair, she died during the hernia surgery at the age of 54.” After going through that, it was important for Kimberly to find a top hysterectomy doctor that she can trust. She was scared and did not want to end up with life-altering complications like her mother. TRAVELING TO CIGC FOR DUALPORTGYN HYSTERECTOMY “Before deciding to travel, I was worried about how bad I would feel, and scared about dealing with the pain on the flight home. But, those worries were for nothing. I felt really good, even the day of the surgery. I actually flew home a day earlier than planned (2 days later). I am really happy that I decided to go ahead with coming to CIGC. It was a little uncomfortable on the plane, but it wasn’t bad. That made it a lot easier to travel. Whatever they do differently worked... It was a great decision to go to CIGC.” Kimberly said. Kimberly had a total hysterectomy surgery with DualPortGYN, an advanced laparoscopic approach using only two 5 MM incisions, in outpatient settings. With the help of a powerful technique called “Retroperitoneal Dissection (RP Dissection or RPD)”, the surgeon can visualize the entire pelvis and avoids injury to vital structures. This allows for safe, effective results with the best recovery possible. See A Comparison of Current Techniques: Hysterectomy Surgery on Dr. Paul MacKoul’s Tumblr.
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The search for the best hysterectomy surgeon close to where you live can be difficult. CIGC has a travel program for women who reside outside the area and can’t find minimally invasive treatment options close to home. To discuss laparoscopic hysterectomy with a CIGC physician Dr. Natalya Danilyants MD or Dr. Paul MacKoul MD, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. CIGC has offices in Rockville, MD, Annapolis, MD and Reston, VA. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook | Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Twitter | Paul MacKoul MD on Twitter Natalya Danilyants MD on LinkedIn | Paul MacKoul MD on LinkedIn
Fibroid removal surgery doesn’t have to be a painful experience. It shouldn’t mean taking up to 2 months off to recover from open surgery either. With new minimally invasive techniques, fibroid symptoms can be relieved with a safe and thorough surgery, in outpatient settings, with patients recovering faster, and with less pain.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO MYOMECTOMY
LAAM is Laparoscopically Assisted Abdominal Myomectomy and it is a fibroid removal procedure that leaves the uterus intact to maintain fertility. What makes it different from other myomectomies is the minimally invasive approach (only 2 small incisions) and the use of special techniques to avoid excessive bleeding and potential hysterectomy. Blood loss is controlled through either permanent blockage of the uterine arteries for removal of very large fibroids laparoscopically, or through the laparoscopic placement of a tourniquet or removable clips for temporary blockage of the arteries. With the LAAM procedure any size or number of fibroids can be removed, even fibroids deep in the muscle and in the cavity of the uterus. Fibroid removal is accomplished through a small incision in the bikini line, usually no more than 1.5 inches in length, and an additional incision at the umbilicus at one quarter of an inch. The minimally invasive approach allows for a very fast recovery, of 10-14 days after surgery. THE SENSE OF TOUCH Using the sense of touch, LAAM provides an innovative approach to laparoscopic myomectomy. It allows the surgeon to feel all of the fibroids at any location in or around the uterus, and allows for their safe and effective removal regardless of the size. Success in some surgical procedures requires the ability to feel in order to create the best possible result. Some fibroids that are located deep in the muscle of the uterus cannot be easily seen. If smaller fibroids are missed, this can allow continued fibroid growth and increase the need for additional surgery. You can learn about the risks of letting fibroids grow in these articles: Letting Fibroids Grow Can Lead To Infertility Kidney Damage And Other Lesser Known Risks Of Fibroids NO POWER MORCELLATORS The LAAM approach has been very successful for the removal of fibroids of all sizes and number in thousands of patients. CIGC surgeons never use power morcellators, these devices have been discouraged by the FDA due to the potential risk to spread cancer cells when cancer is present. There is no need for power morcellator with advanced laparoscopic surgery. LAAM allows for a safe and thorough fibroid removal, resulting in less pain and complications, and overall better patient outcomes. See how CIGC patients describe their experience with the LAAM procedure: Women Talk About LAAM: A Safer & Better Myomectomy
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Women travel from around the world for minimally invasive fibroid removal with the LAAM procedure. To discuss laparoscopic myomectomy with a CIGC physician Natalya Danilyants MD or Paul MacKoul MD, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. CIGC has offices in Rockville, MD, Annapolis, MD and Reston, VA. Patients who reside outside the Washington DC area can look into CIGC’s travel program. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook | Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Twitter | Paul MacKoul MD on Twitter Natalya Danilyants MD on LinkedIn | Paul MacKoul MD on LinkedIn
Women who have fibroids often struggle with disruptive GYN symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain, and many experience difficulty to conceive and carry a child to term. A myomectomy is a fibroid removal procedure, which preserves fertility. It is not definitive fibroid treatment, but it can be an option that allows long-term relief from symptoms and the ability to conceive. It is important that a myomectomy is performed by a trained specialist, with minimally invasive approach, to allow for a thorough, successful surgery and a fast recovery.
Take a look at some common myths about myomectomies and learn the facts so that you can be prepared when seeking the best possible treatment.
MYTH: LARGE FIBROIDS CAN ONLY BE REMOVED WITH AN OPEN MYOMECTOMY, AND OFTEN A HYSTERECTOMY IS NECESSARY. FACT: In the past, women with fibroids greater than 250g (about the weight of a large grapefruit), had to have open myomectomy surgeries with large incisions (6-8 inches) and painful recoveries of up to 2 months. Many procedures were converted to hysterectomy to avoid further complications. Such an outcome is devastating for women who still plan to carry a child. Advancements in minimally invasive GYN surgery now allow for large and small fibroids to be removed laparoscopically, with 2 incisions. The LAAM (Laparoscopic Assisted Abdominal Myomectomy) procedure is a hybrid technique that takes the best elements of the open and laparoscopic approach and it uses 1 small incision in the bikini line about 1.5 inches in length, and a 1 incision at the umbilicus at 1/4 of an inch. LAAM. The largest fibroid removed with LAAM was 6000g (13lbs, about the weight of a medium sized watermelon). MYTH: RECOVERY IS EASIER AFTER A MYOMECTOMY VS A HYSTERECTOMY. FACT: A myomectomy procedure is more invasive than a hysterectomy even with minimally invasive surgery. With myomectomy, incisions are made in the uterus to remove fibroids and it needs time to heal. It’s important that the uterus is thoroughly repaired after fibroid removal to ensure it is strong enough to carry a growing fetus. As fibroids continue to grow after a myomectomy, women who do not wish to preserve fertility should consider hysterectomy as definitive treatment. At CIGC, hysterectomy is performed using two 5 MM incisions with DualPortGYN. Recovery is 10-14 days after LAAM myomectomy and 1 week after DualPortGYN hysterectomy. The benefits of these procedures is that women are able to return to their lives faster and start building their family sooner after a myomectomy. Other, more invasive procedures like robotic surgery can take between 4-6 weeks to recover, and open procedures can take up to 2 months. MYTH: I TRUST MY OBGYN TO PERFORM A MYOMECTOMY. I DON’T NEED A SECOND OPINION. FACT: It’s important for any woman to have a good relationship with their OBGYN and to trust their opinion. When it comes to complicated GYN surgery, especially when preparing for fertility treatments or trying to conceive naturally, it is essential to find a specialist who is trained in advanced surgical techniques and has the expertise to perform safe and thorough removal. The primary focus of an OBGYN is obstetrics, while a GYN specialist focuses on surgery 100%. Per ACOG, increased surgical volume is important to develop and maintain surgical expertise in any field of surgery. The average OBGYN only performs about 20 major surgeries per year. A specialist does about 10 to 15 surgeries per week. Because of the high number of surgeries performed, a specialist is constantly perfecting their skill and surgical outcome.
When looking for the best fibroid doctor, consider this helpful list of questions to ask about the procedure & surgical approach: Your Fibroid Removal Surgery: Questions To Ask
Learn more about fibroids & fertility from Dr. Paul MacKoul’s conversation with DeShuna Spencer, host of WPFW’s emPower Hour on 89.3 FM: Paul MacKoul MD Talks Fibroids & Fertility On emPower Hour CONTACT US To discuss laparoscopic myomectomy with a CIGC physician Natalya Danilyants MD or Paul MacKoul MD, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. We have offices in Rockville, MD, Annapolis, MD and Reston, VA. Patients who reside outside the Washington DC area can look into CIGC’s travel program. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook | Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Twitter | Paul MacKoul MD on Twitter Natalya Danilyants MD on LinkedIn | Paul MacKoul MD on LinkedIn CIGC hysterectomy patient Cassandra traveled from Wisconsin for her minimally invasive procedure, as she could not find the right approach closer to home. She struggled with heavy bleeding for years and had to finally ask for an ultrasound herself to get a diagnosis. The ultrasound showed a 9cm fibroid at the top of her uterus. The doctors she had been seeing recommended either an open surgery or a procedure with 5-6 incisions to remove her fibroid, or robotic hysterectomy. None of these options were what Cassandra was looking for, so she kept searching and found The Center for Innovative GYN Care. “Dr. Paul MacKoul told me what would happen in the future, expectations after each procedure. No other doctor had talked to me about that. He let me make the decision about whether or not to have a minimally invasive myomectomy with LAAM or a minimally invasive hysterectomy with DualPortGYN, and what it would look like under both scenarios. He recommended a hysterectomy, but he was willing to take the fibroid out. It put everything into a different perspective. In the end, I chose to have a hysterectomy.” Cassandra said. “My surgery was Tuesday, and I wanted to make sure there weren’t any complications so I stayed an extra day. Natalya Danilyants MD performed the surgery. I did a follow up with my OB/GYN in Wisconsin, he was in awe and said she was an amazing surgeon using only two incisions.” Read Cassandra's full story on Tumblr: Traveling From Wisconsin To Washington DC For Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Cassandra’s Journey If you would like to book a consultation and discuss your options for minimally invasive fibroid removal, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. You can learn more about DualPortGYN and LAAM procedures on InnovativeGYN.com and through online patient reviews: Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews| Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews.
It takes an average of 10 years for a woman to get diagnosed with endometriosis. Symptoms can start as early as teen years and they are debilitating. Talking about endometriosis and sharing stories, encouraging women of all ages to get evaluated and seek 2nd and even 3rd opinions, is very important to manage the disease. There is no cure, however early diagnosis is essential, to allow for a better quality of life and ability to conceive. Some of our patients have kindly agreed to share their journey struggling with endometriosis pain and finding relief with minimally invasive endometriosis excision or minimally invasive hysterectomy at CIGC. Read their stories. Michelle struggled with progressively worse rectal bleeding with her cycle for nearly 3 years. She consulted three different doctors, none of whom recognized the signs of endometriosis. Dr. Paul J. MacKoul performed DualPortGYN surgery to remove endometriosis. The procedure was complex as the endometrial implant had fused the uterus to the bowel and Michelle also had fibroids. In addition to minimally invasive endometriosis excision and hysterectomy, Michelle’s bowel had to be repaired with an enterolysis procedure. “You have to take your healthcare into your own hands,” Michelle said. “When you struggle through multiple doctors and can’t find any answers, it’s important to find a specialist." Read Michelle’s story. Emily suffered from endometriosis pain during her menstrual cycle, with a pain level between 7 and 10, sometimes an 11 and 12. Natalya Danilyants MD removed an ovarian mass and resected endometriosis with minimally invasive approach. Her recovery was swift and her dreams to have a baby came true. “I was amazed at how well I felt following the procedure. I had my procedure in a Friday and I was back to work on a Tuesday. I hardly used pain medication. I was up doing everything I needed to do for myself and then I was pregnant a year later. It was the second month that we were trying.” Watch Emily’s story. "I’m just one month shy of my anniversary of losing my left fallopian tube due to an ectopic pregnancy. I went through countless surgeries and was devastated that I could not give my husband a child naturally. I felt terribly alone and less of a woman for years, until now.” said Janelle. 5 years ago Janelle was diagnosed with endometriosis. She went through an ectopic pregnancy and lost her only viable fallopian tube. She suffered through many stages of disappointment and grief, before her surgery at CIGC. Janelle's dreams finally came true as she welcomed a baby boy in 2015, following minimally invasive resection of endometriosis with Paul MacKoul MD and IVF treatments. Read Janelle’s story. Dorran had a history of gynecologic procedures that included treatment for multiple GYN conditions over the past 17 years. Despite all the surgeries, she continued to have pain and was finally diagnosed with endometriosis after menopause. She had DualPortGYN hysterectomy with Dr. Natalya E. Danilyants, MD. “I had surgery on a Thursday, rested on Friday, and on Saturday I was up and doing normal stuff. Before I felt tired, slow, and mentally drained. I was going through the motions. Nothing is slowing me down now, it doesn’t seem like I’m juggling a lot of things. I feel jubilant! Now, I can do anything! ” Read Dorran’s story. CONTACT US
If you would like to book an appointment with an endometriosis specialist at CIGC: Rupen Baxi | Natalya Danilyants | Paul MacKoul, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. CIGC has offices in Bethesda, MD, Annapolis, MD and Reston, VA. If you reside outside the Washington DC area, learn about CIGC’s travel program. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Rupen Baxi MD on Facebook Natalya Danilyants MD on Facebook Paul MacKoul MD on Facebook Rupen Baxi MD on LinkedIn Natalya Danilyants MD on LinkedIn Paul MacKoul MD on LinkedIn |