Habibeh Gitiforooz, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Lakewood Hospital

My doctor has recommended that I have a hysterectomy. However, I’ve been putting this off because I work and don’t have the time. Are there any other options?
 

Major surgery and lengthy recovery times do not mesh well with the busy lives of many individuals. Fortunately, a minimally invasive procedure, called robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy, offers patients dramatically faster recoveries. Thanks to this technique, a patient’s hospital stay is reduced from a few days to just hours. Post-surgical pain is greatly lessened, and the total recovery time is usually much shorter.

During a hysterectomy, a woman’s uterus is surgically removed as a way of treating cancer, fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, persistent vaginal bleeding or chronic pelvic pain. Sometimes, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed. By the age of 60, one in three American women will have had a hysterectomy.

During robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy, which is a minimally-invasive surgery, surgeons remove the uterus (and sometimes one or both ovaries) through tiny incisions. The laparoscopic surgery is performed with the aid of thin robotic arms that are inserted into the strategically placed incisions.

Using hand and foot controls, the surgeon operates with a three-dimensional, high-definition view of the surgical field, which simulates an open surgical environment minus the physical trauma of large incisions.

In addition to faster recoveries and less pain, benefits of undergoing robotic laparoscopic surgery include less blood loss, less scarring and a speedier return to normal, daily activities. Oftentimes, this new surgical technique also brings about better clinical outcomes.

Besides hysterectomies, robot-assisted laparoscopy is used for treating tubal, fibroid and cancer surgery, as well as surgery for prolapse and incontinence. Prolapse is a condition affecting many women after childbirth, when the pelvic floor may be damaged. In these cases, the uterus, rectum and bladder can fall down or slip out of place.

Dr. Gitiforooz specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and practices at Lakewood Hospital.  Her office is conveniently located at Lakewood Hospital Community Health Center, 1450 Belle Avenue, 3rd floor, Lakewood.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gitiforooz, please call 216.529.2913.