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FIBROID SOLUTION
Medical Professionals Give Rave ReviewsBy Patrice Dickey Nanci LeRoy knows the difference between gynecologic surgery done the old way with long abdominal incisions, and the minimally invasive way, which has been practiced for more than a decade. In the early ‘90s she experienced bad fibroids (benign uterine tumors) and had an open myomectomy to remove them. Although the term “bikini incision” sounds relatively benign, the old way still involves cutting through muscle and nerves, then prying back the abdominal muscles to visualize the area. “I was in the hospital for three days with a morphine pump—I’m a tough patient, not a whiner, but I was out of commission for a solid week. Couldn’t do a thing,” she said. Her husband John LeRoy, MD was in New York City involved in an advanced cosmetic surgery fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. Arrangements were made for her to recover with friends. “I couldn’t drive. It took me weeks before I felt normal again,” she said. The surgery did enable her to experience successful infertility treatments and the birth of their beloved daughter Taylor. And then the fibroids started coming back. After a time, Nanci’s heavy bleeding from the fibroids became so debilitating that she wasn’t able to enjoy the activities that Taylor loved, especially swimming. “It was a big letdown for her to sit around, waiting for Mommy to get better so we could play.” THE SOLUTION “I’d begun to explore my options for surgery. We’d already heard about Dr. Lyons’ expertise from our friend who is a surgical nurse, and being in the medical field ourselves we know that nurses tell the truth about doctors. However, John still had some questions for Dr. Lyons about this “new” procedure.” In a consultation with Dr. Lyons they learned that he had developed the minimally invasive Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH) in 1990 and had performed hundreds of them successfully. Importantly, LSH leaves the cervix intact as a keystone support to the female anatomy, which improves sexual function post-surgery and helps prevent pelvic prolapse later. Dr. Lyons is also known for his expertise with laparoscopic myomectomy (removal of the fibroids only, to preserve the uterus). Several of his patients have given birth after laparoscopic myomectomy. In addition he is one of the few surgeons nationwide who performs laparoscopic surgical excision on endometriosis, removing it below its root so it is less likely to grow back. “There’s a certain confidence you get about someone when you’ve been a surgeon for awhile,” said Dr. LeRoy. “They can’t bluff their knowledge base. He answered all my questions on safety issues, and came across confidently on both the spoken and unspoken levels.” Nanci had her LSH on a Friday in May and was back to work at her husband’s office on the following Tuesday. “To be honest, I could have been back to work the next day. I had the surgery around 8am, and by 2pm I asked them to bring me my clothes so I could go home.” The next day Nanci was out shopping and doing errands, with no need for pain medication. “Dr. Lyons is remarkable,” said Nanci. “His staff was there for me too, and so helpful and kind.” Her husband agreed. “Predictability is a major factor in post-operative success, and everything he said occurred exactly as he said it would,” said Dr. LeRoy. “Before the procedure, she was missing out on life. If you can have this done in a safe, simple way without disrupting your life, why do it any other way?” LSH has been practiced since 1990, and Dr. Lyons has trained hundreds of surgeons around the world on the technique. However, it is not performed by everyone. Some surgeons refuse to perform laparoscopic minimally invasive procedures on a large fibroid uterus. Nanci’s was about the size of a four-month pregnancy. The size of the problem is not an issue for Dr. Lyons. “It’s especially important that patients choose a surgeon who is experienced in working with lasers and laparoscopy. LSH requires more skill than open abdominal hysterectomy. LSH is easier on the patient, but more challenging for the surgeon,” explained Dr. Lyons. Many surgeons will attempt a minimally invasive procedure and feel the necessity to convert it to an open surgery with a long incision. The patient then wakes up to face a four-to-six week recuperation. Make sure to ask your surgeon about his or her conversion ratio. Dr. Lyons’ conversion ratio is less than one percent.
Center for Women's Care &
Reproductive Surgery© 2006 |
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