Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that the OB/GYNs at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology use to visually examine your reproductive organs. While traditional, open surgery requires incisions that may be several inches long, the incisions necessary for laparoscopic surgery are about half an inch or less.

During laparoscopy, your gynecologic surgeon at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology inserts a thin, flexible device called a laparoscope into this small incision. The laparoscope has a camera that magnifies and projects images of your organs onto a screen.

The team at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology may use laparoscopy to perform a minimally invasive hysterectomy or permanent female sterilization procedure. They may also use laparoscopy to diagnose and treat a wide range of women’s health problems, including:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Ectopic pregnancy

Your OB/GYN may also perform diagnostic laparoscopy to determine the underlying cause of pelvic pain or infertility. If she discovers a problem, she may be able to treat it during the same laparoscopic procedure.

First, your OB/GYN at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology performs a thorough physical and pelvic exam and reviews your medical history to make sure laparoscopy is right for you. Then, she develops a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.

She performs laparoscopic surgery while you’re asleep under general anesthesia. During the procedure, she makes one or more tiny incisions in the predetermined area on your abdomen.

To diagnose a condition, your OB/GYN at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology inserts the laparoscope and checks your reproductive organs for signs of disease. She may insert miniature surgical instruments through the laparoscope to treat any problems she finds.

Most of the time, you go home the same day as your surgery. However, you should have someone drive you home as the anesthesia makes you sleepy.

Laparoscopic surgery involves a faster recovery time than open surgery, but you should still plan to rest for at least one to two days afterward. Your provider at Seasons of Life Obstetrics & Gynecology lets you know when it’s safe to resume normal activities.