When you hear the word procedure, you might picture a hospital, anesthesia, and a long recovery.
But gynecologic care doesn’t always have to look that way.
At Diana Health, our experienced OB/GYN surgeons offer a range of minimally invasive and in-office gynecologic procedures designed around your diagnosis, your needs, and your life.
Depending on your condition and the procedure you need, treatment may be possible in the familiar environment of your Diana Health clinic, or you may benefit from minimally invasive surgery in a hospital setting.
The goal isn’t simply to perform a procedure. It’s to find the right treatment for you.
What does “minimally invasive” mean?
Minimally invasive procedures are designed to treat gynecologic conditions while limiting the size and number of incisions or avoiding incisions altogether.
For hospital-based surgery, Diana Health physicians may use advanced laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques, including the da Vinci® Surgical System when appropriate.
Compared with traditional open surgery, minimally invasive approaches may offer benefits such as:
- Smaller incisions
- Less pain
- Less scarring
- Reduced blood loss
- Faster recovery
- Shorter hospital stays
Not every procedure or condition is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, and robotic surgery isn’t the right fit for every patient. Your surgeon will help determine which approach makes the most sense for your body, your diagnosis, and your goals.
What gynecologic procedures can be done in the office?
Depending on your diagnosis and individual needs, some procedures can be performed right in the office, without requiring a hospital or surgery center.
At Diana Health, our partnership with Hologic allows us to offer minimally-invasive, in-office procedures that may include:
Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation is a procedure that treats the lining of the uterus and is typically used for bothersome or heavy menstrual bleeding. Depending on the patient and procedure, ablation may be performed in an office, hospital, or surgery center.
Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy uses a small camera called a hysteroscope to look inside the uterus. It may be used to evaluate symptoms such as heavy or irregular bleeding or investigate findings such as a possible uterine polyp, fibroid, or thickened uterine lining.
In some cases, a hysteroscopy can be used to both identify and treat a problem during the same procedure.
LEEP
LEEP stands for loop electrosurgical excision procedure. It uses a thin wire loop with an electrical current to remove abnormal or precancerous cells from the cervix.
LEEP may be recommended after abnormal cervical cells are identified through cervical cancer screening and further evaluation.
Colposcopy
A colposcopy allows your provider to take a closer look at the cervix, vagina, and vulva using a special magnifying device. A small biopsy may also be taken so the tissue can be examined by a pathologist.
What are the benefits of an in-office procedure?
When an in-office procedure is an appropriate option, it can offer a different experience than hospital-based care.
Diana Health’s in-office procedures may provide:
More convenience. You can receive certain treatments in the familiar environment of your Diana Health practice.
More comfort. You’ll be surrounded by a care team you know, in a calming environment rather than an unfamiliar hospital setting. Depending on the procedure, nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) may be available to help you feel more relaxed and comfortable during your in-office procedure. Your care team will talk with you about your options and what to expect.
Potentially lower out-of-pocket costs. Depending on your insurance and procedure, an office-based approach may be less expensive than a hospital-based procedure.
An easier recovery. Diana Health notes that after an office-based procedure, patients can typically return to normal activities within 24 hours, although recovery varies by procedure and individual circumstances.
And for certain in-office procedures, you may even be able to maintain your normal morning routine, including eating breakfast beforehand.
What if I need surgery?
Not every condition can, or should, be treated in the office. That’s why Diana Health offers a range of treatment options, from convenient in-office procedures to advanced minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery.
Our OB/GYN surgeons are trained to perform a variety of gynecologic procedures, including:
- Minimally invasive hysterectomy
- Treatment of uterine fibroids
- Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis and pelvic pain
- Fertility-sparing laparoscopic procedures
- Robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery
- Hysteroscopy
- Endometrial ablation
- LEEP and colposcopy
Your surgeon will help you understand where your procedure should take place, what your options are, and what to expect from treatment and recovery.
Care that goes beyond the procedure
At Diana Health, we believe the experience matters just as much as the procedure itself.
Our team takes a wellness-focused approach to preparing your body and mind for your procedure and recovery. And your care doesn’t end when the procedure is over, our care teams provide post-procedure check-ins and support throughout your recovery.
Most importantly, you’ll have a team that keeps you informed along the way.
Before your procedure, your provider will talk with you about your options and answer your questions. Diana Health’s goal is for you to feel informed, comfortable, and confident in your care.
You have options. Let’s find the right one for you.
Whether you’re dealing with heavy bleeding, fibroids, pelvic pain, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine polyps, abnormal uterine bleeding, or cervical changes, you don’t have to figure out your treatment options on your own.
Your Diana Health provider can help you understand what’s causing your symptoms, talk through your treatment options, and determine whether an in-office procedure, minimally invasive surgery, or another approach may be right for you.
Your care should fit your life—not the other way around.
