Better Options for Women

New surgical techniques typically mean less hospital time and a faster recovery.

Women with gynecological problems have turned to surgery for decades. But some procedures meant a long hospital stay and a hefty recovery time. David B. Morehead, D.O., an obstetrician/gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie, details below how treatments are improving.

By Stephanie Thurrott

For a referral to a gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Waxahachie, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or use our on-line physician directory.

Procedure	Problem	Before	Now	Difference
1. A Gentler Hysterectomy	Women who have abnormal pain or bleeding that doesn’t respond to treatment may need to have their uterus removed.	Doctors operated either through the abdomen or the vagina.	With laparoscopes, doctors operate through small abdominal incisions.	Typically, there is less discomfort, a shorter hospital stay (usually one day) and a quicker return to regular activities (about two weeks). “I think this is going to be a really popular procedure for women who need a hysterectomy,” Dr. Morehead says.
2. Less Invasive Treatment for Prolapse	The bladder, uterus, vagina or lower bowel can fall out of position, particularly in women who have delivered babies vaginally.	In abdominal surgery, doctors used surrounding tissues and ligaments to help support the prolapsed organs.	New minimally invasive techniques add synthetic mesh to help support the organs.	A higher success rate thanks to the mesh, plus a shorter surgery time, and women generally experience a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to regular activities.
3. Relief for Heavy Periods	Some women have abnormally heavy menstrual periods.	In many cases women turned to hysterectomy.	Ablation can destroy a thin layer of the lining of the uterus. In most cases, women no longer have menstrual periods, though some women will continue to have light cycles.	Ablation is an outpatient, incision-free procedure, typically with a two-hour recovery time. “We can do this procedure instead of a full hysterectomy and still have a high success rate,” Dr. Morehead says.