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Some MD's
Still "In the Dark Ages" On Exponential Advances in Minimally
Invasive GYN Procedures
After 20
Years, Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH) Not Well Known Dr.
Tom Lyons Explains: Patients, Insurers and Employers All Lose Time &
Money
 Holistic gynecologist Juaquita Callaway, MD, had a problem. Multiple
uterine fibroids caused persistent bleeding and disrupted her lifestyle.
After initial fibroid removal in 1992, she was able to slow the tumors'
re-growth tremendously with diet change, stress management and dealing
with emotional issues-part of the same Rx she offers her own patients.
Fifteen years later, when facing a hysterectomy, she hesitated because
of the perceived post-surgery downtime, often six to eight weeks.
She came to Thomas L. Lyons, MD, of the Center for Women's Care &
Reproductive Surgery, for a more conservative procedure to stop the
bleeding. However, based on her ultrasound the two gynecologists
concurred that she needed a hysterectomy, but she didn't want to be out
of work in recuperation for three weeks.
Dr. Lyons assured her that she would be back to work after surgery in
one week. And she was.
"When I saw my surgical video and Dr. Lyons' technique in action I was
speechless. Where have I been-in the Dark Ages? Although at first I was
skeptical, my outcome far exceeded my expectations," said Dr. Callaway.
"It was the best thing I've ever done for my health," she added. "As a
holistic doctor who considered surgery as a last resort, I realize now
that there can be a successful blend. When my patients need a surgeon, I
send them to Dr. Lyons."
Initial Concerns
All Handled
Her most
important concern was the shortest recovery time possible. "I chose a
gynecologic surgeon who practices laparoscopic procedures ALL the time,
rather than just occasionally. That's his specialty. He trains others
around the world," she said.
When Dr. Callaway awoke from anesthesia after her procedure in June,
2007, she felt no pain. "I'd requested no narcotics because I wanted to
wake up," she explained. "My bandages were the main indicator I'd had
surgery!"
She'd expressed some concerns about potential scarring of her navel,
where the uterus is removed through via a tiny incision.
"My navel looks the same-I could not believe it! Now I can't even see
where I had the incisions."
Traditional "bikini incisions" for GYN procedures mean slicing through
abdominal muscles and nerves which can take weeks or months to heal, and
sometimes cause radiating pain down the legs. With laparoscopic
procedures, patients endure less pain, less risk and recover more
quickly.
Often, problems don't require surgery at all-but can be fixed with
non-invasive, less costly in-office procedures.
"Tragic" Lack of Information Among Physicians After Two Decades
"Too often patients have come to me after having seen their primary
care physician or another gynecologist who either a) did not inform them
of the availability of minimally invasive treatments, or b) convinced
them erroneously that their particular problem was not amenable to such.
The patients were overcome with relief and gratitude upon learning
otherwise," said C.Y. Liu, MD, Editor-in-Chief of the American
Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists journal, NewsScope
Oct-Dec 2008 issue.
"How tragic that with a two-decade-plus history, minimally invasive
gynecologic procedures still fly beneath the radar!" Dr. Liu said. "Not
only is the general public largely unaware of such treatments, but the
medical community-and, sadly, even our own field-are also lacking in
knowledge."
LSH or laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, is removal of the uterus
through tiny incisions. It spares the cervix as a keystone support for
female anatomy, helping to prevent pelvic prolapse later, and for better
sexual function post-surgery.
Dr. Thomas L. Lyons, founder of the Center for Women's Care, developed
the LSH in 1989, and he has performed thousands successfully. He trains
surgeons throughout the world on the procedure.
Even if removing extremely large uteri (the size of five month
pregnancies), his conversion ratio is less than one percent. Conversion
ratio refers to the number of cases that a doctor has to convert from a
tiny incision to an "open" procedure-or larger incision (the bikini
incision or laparotomy).
Thousands of discerning patients aren't willing to settle for the way
it's always been done if they can find better GYN solutions. Many find
laparoscopic pioneer Dr. Lyons on the Internet, and come to him from
around the world.
The story of Dr. Lyons & Dr. Callaway aired on CBS-Atlanta's "Better
Mornings."
Center for Women's Care & Reproductive Surgery has offices in
Dunwoody, Cowles Clinic at Lake Oconee & Blue Ridge, GA.
Email the Center for Women's Care
Center for Women's Care &
Reproductive SurgeryŠ 2006
1140 Hammond Drive, Suite
F6230
Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
Copyright 2005
Toll Free 1 (888) 545-0400
Metro Atlanta (770) 352-0037
This page last updated
08/17/2009
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