Dr. Natalya Danilyants

April was Adenomyosis Awareness Month and CIGC is committed to spreading awareness of complex gynecologic conditions during health awareness months and beyond. Adenomyosis is a very common condition, which unfortunately often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Definitive treatment can only be achieved with hysterectomy, however medical management of mild symptoms is possible. Adenomyosis does progress with time, and surgical treatment is eventually needed to achieve relief from symptoms.

What Is Adenomyosis?

With adenomyosis, tissue that should just normally be inside the uterine lining, starts growing into the uterine muscle. This condition causes severe pain and abnormal bleeding, and it often coexists with other conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis. When performing surgery, the CIGC physicians often find adenomyosis in patients diagnosed with these other conditions, and hysterectomy does achieve definitive relief. Unlike fibroids, adenomyosis can’t be removed while preserving the uterus, which is why when it causes debilitating symptoms, definitive treatment through hysterectomy is recommended.

“Unfortunately, there really isn’t a solid way to eliminate all the devastating effects of adenomyosis — except for possibly getting a partial hysterectomy, in which the uterus is removed but the ovaries stay” said Dr. Natalya Danilyants in an interview with Huff Post.

Adenomyosis vs Endometriosis

The difference between these two conditons is in the location. With adenomyosis, the endometrial cells invade into the uterine muscle, while with endometriosis they cells grow outside of the uterus. Due to that, adenomyosis is also often referred to as “endometriosis of the uterus”.

More on adenomyosis from Dr. Danilyants in this Facebook Live streaming.

Adenomyosis Diagnosis & Treatment

While laparoscopy diagnoses endometrosis, it is more difficult to diagnose adenomyosis this way as it can be missed unless the surgeon cuts into the uterine muscle. Pelvic MRIs are efficient in diagnosing adenomyosis. A more accurate diagnosis is achieved with biopsy.

Definitive relief from symptoms is achieved with uterus removal, which the CIGC physicians perform using the advanced DualPortGYN technique. DualPortGYN procedures are outpatient and use only two small incisions, allowing women to recover faster, with less pain.

“When it comes to complex conditions such as adenomyosis, women should seek a specialist. Definitive relief through hysterectomy should be performed by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon who is able to provide the best possible outcome through advanced minimally invasive approach.” said CIGC co-founder Dr. Paul MacKoul.

A recent endometriosis & adenomyosis patient testimonial is available in this Facebook Live streaming: Juanita: 15 Years Later, I Finally Conquered My GYN Pain!

BOOK A CONSULTATION

As 2018 comes to an end, take control of your GYN health! Women who have endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, and other complex GYN conditions often suffer with pain during their menstrual cycle. If left undiagnosed, pain can become ongoing. Discover CIGC’s exclusive laparoscopic techniques, and find relief from pelvic pain before the start of the new year.

The Center for Innovative GYN Care co-founders Paul MacKoul MD and Natalya Danilyants MD have innovated advanced surgical techniques, for the treatment of gynecologic conditions. Women travel from across the country and around the world, for advanced GYN surgery leading to faster recovery. Learn about our travel program. For patient feedback, visit doctor review sites: Dr. Paul MacKoul reviews | Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews.

July is Fibroids Awareness Month. Get the facts about fibroid treatment, and post-surgical recovery. With advanced laparoscopic techniques such as LAAM myomectomy for fertility, women recover in less than 2 weeks, and are often able to conceive naturally within a few months after surgery. 

When it comes to finding the best option for treatment, it’s important that women research both the risks and benefits of every procedure available. Less invasive procedure such as uterine artery embolization are not recommended to women who still want to preserve fertility. A minimally invasive myomectomy can efficiently remove fibroids, while preserving the uterus for fertility. When fertility is no longer desired, hysterectomy is an option to definitively treat fibroids, and find permanent relief from symptoms.

CIGC FIBROID PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

CIGC fibroid patient testimonials are available in the articles below. Many women have made the choice to travel to CIGC, for advanced procedures providing a faster post-operative recovery.

“It doesn’t feel like I had surgery. While we were there, we explored D.C. one day, and Maryland the next, and then returned to Texas. About 14 days after surgery I helped a friend coordinate a wedding.” said Toni after DualPortGYN hysterectomy with Dr. Natalya Danilyants. Toni traveled to CIGC from Houston, TX for the advanced procedure. Her full testimonial is available here.

“In comparison to all other options available I found that LAAM was exactly what I was looking for. So I was willing to travel to get the best surgery possible for my health.” said Lindsay, who traveled from Dallas, TX for the advanced LAAM myomectomy procedure with Dr. Paul MacKoul. Her full testimonial is available here. Lindsay also recently shared her experience in a Facebook Live event, the video is available here.

TALK TO A CIGC SPECIALIST

Painful symptoms caused by complex GYN conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, can be relieved with advanced GYN surgery. CIGC's advanced laparoscopic techniques help women heal faster, and return to their lives sooner. 

A recent article by The Center for Innovative GYN Care, shared by WTOP News, speaks about different surgical techniques available, and how they impact recovery. Advanced laparoscopic techniques used to perform myomectomy, hysterectomy, endometriosis excision, and other procedures, help women recover in days vs weeks. Read more here: Spend Days, Not Weeks Recovering From Hysterectomy Or Other GYN Surgery.

CIGC specialists Paul MacKoul MD and Natalya Danilyants MD use two small, cosmetically placed midline incisions to perform laparoscopic GYN procedures. Women recover in less than 2 weeks after LAAM myomectomy for fertility and in about a week after the DualPortGYN procedure for hysterectomy or endometriosis excision.

Reach Out To CIGC

As many women look for non-invasive treatment options for fibroids, embolization is a procedure many find appealing. It is however important to understand the risks associated with this procedure, for women who still want to get pregnant. Multiple studies have shown that after undergoing embolization treatments, women have difficulty conceiving due to impaired ovarian reserve, and have a higher risk of complications during pregnancy including placental abruption, miscarriage, and pre-term births.  

Additional information is available in this recent article by The Center for Innovative GYN Care, shared by WTOP:  UFE increases risk of pregnancy complications, miscarriage.

A safer fertility-sparing option for fibroids, and the one recommended by experts is myomectomy. CIGC surgeons perform this fibroid removal procedure using the advanced laparoscopic LAAM technique. With LAAM, only 2 small incisions are used, and women recover in less than 2 weeks. CIGC founders Paul MacKoul MD and Natalya Danilyants MD have also developed the DualPortGYN approach for laparoscopic hysterectomy, as definitive fibroid treatment. 

The live streaming from our recent Facebook Live event “UFE & Fertility: Know The Risks!” is available here.

GET IN TOUCH

Call CIGC at 888-SURGERY to speak about fibroid removal options, or reach out online. Our patient relations coordinators will also be happy to provide details with regard to CIGC’s travel program, available to women residing outside the Washington, DC area.

Of the thousands of women who have had surgery at The Center for Innovative GYN Care, hundreds have traveled from around the world. The success of the CIGC advanced minimally procedures, and the quick recovery times has attracted women from 47 states and 30 countries. CIGC surgical specialists use innovative techniques such as DualPortGYN and LAAM to treat complex GYN conditions, with advanced laparoscopic approach. These unique surgical techniques lead to a much faster recovery, and women usually go back to work in less than 2 weeks.

A CIGC travel patient, Toni, had DualPortGYN hysterectomy for fibroids. She made the decision to travel to Washington, DC from Texas, and recovered in 1 week. Her sister Darmetta, who also struggled with fibroid symptoms, chose to undergo an open hysterectomy back home, and six weeks later, is still recovering.

TONI’S EXPERIENCE WITH DUALPORTGYN HYSTERECTOMY

Toni discovered she had fibroids in her 40s, as her menstrual cycles became heavier. The only options she was given at the time were living with it, or birth control if she was still considering pregnancy. Six years later, she became anemic. She revisited treatment with her doctor, and the options available to her were robotic or open hysterectomy.

“I couldn’t take off work for 6-8 weeks and I didn’t want a long incision, or discomfort from major surgery; however, I finally agreed to a hysterectomy after my menstrual cycle got worse.” Toni said.

“I began the process with my doctor, but something in the back of my head kept saying, ‘Surely, there are more options available.’ So, I began my internet search and found The Center for Innovative GYN Care website. I was ecstatic! I printed everything about the DualPortGYN minimally invasive procedure from CIGC’s website and took it to my OBGYN to see if she could perform the procedure. She was only versed with the da Vinci robotic surgery or the old-fashioned open surgery, so I put it off once again. Feeling defeated and overwhelmed, I contacted CIGC for more options.”

Toni chose to travel to CIGC with her mom, for DualPortGYN laparoscopic hysterectomy.

“The process was effortless. The morning after my procedure, I took a shower by myself and began worrying my mom by walking around the hotel. I remember her saying, ‘You have to take it easy, you shouldn’t be walking like that-you just had surgery!’ and I said, ‘I only have this one micro-mini incision, and it doesn’t feel like I had surgery.’ While we were there, we explored D.C. one day, and Maryland the next, and then returned to Texas. About 14 days after surgery I helped a friend coordinate a wedding.”

DARMETTA’S EXPERIENCE WITH OPEN HYSTERECTOMY Seven months after Toni had her surgery, her sister Darmetta needed one as well. She felt confident in her OBGYN to perform her hysterectomy, which ended up being an open procedure.

“My only apprehension was my relationship with my gynecologist. If I had a chance to do it over, I would have gone to Maryland. The incision across my abdomen is a bikini cut. I had over a dozen fibroids that were as big as 8 cm and as small as 2 cm. After the surgery, I had a lot of pain and discomfort and had to wear compression garments to help with the pain. A cough or a sneeze for me even now is torture. I’ve learned how to sneeze differently to protect the incision in my lower abdomen.” Darmetta said.

SISTERS’ HYSTERECTOMY RECOVERY: NIGHT & DAY

“The procedure my sister had and the one I had was night and day, and I felt so bad for her,” said Toni. “For me, having my hysterectomy in Maryland was worth it compared to what my sister went through. CIGC helped me get my life back, uninterrupted. I can travel uninhibited, I can return to running, and I’m not anemic anymore. This year, I’m looking forward to exploring the Vatican in Rome and fishing with my Dad in Alaska. I will advise ANYONE having a hysterectomy to have it done at CIGC, since they are the only facility offering the DualPortGYN minimally invasive procedure.”

GET IN TOUCH

Over the years, we have seen countless patients who were told their pain was just in their head, so that when they come to see us, it’s been years of being under or misdiagnosed. Symptoms caused by complex GYN conditions like endometriosis and fibroids can be severe, and early treatment is important.

When it comes to endometriosis, it can cause a great deal of damage to the reproductive system. The disease and the resulting pain can be managed, while monitoring to minimize the risks of infertility. 

Fibroids are very common, affecting about 80% of all women by age 50. While symptoms are often dismissed and the “watch and wait” approach is recommended by many professionals, fibroids can be dangerous. Large fibroids can distort the uterus, affecting a woman’s chances to get pregnant and carry to term.

Learn more about chronic pain from GYN conditions, and the latest advancements in diagnosis & treatment, in this recent CIGC article shared by WTOP News: The silence & stigma of period pain: fibroids, endometriosis can destroy a woman’s life.

Advanced surgical specialists at CIGC Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Natalya Danilyants, and CIGC-trained physician Dr. Rupen Baxi use advanced laparoscopic techniques to treat complex GYN conditions. Women recover in less than 2 weeks after GYN surgery, with less pain. For patient feedback, visit our patient spotlight section or doctor review sites: Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews |  Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Rupen Baxi Reviews.

Join The Center for Innovative GYN Care at the DC Walk of Hope to raise awareness about infertility on October 14, 9-11 am. The event is hosted by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association at the National Harbor in National Harbor, MD. Visit the event page here: www.resolve.org/dcwalk

Many of our patients have struggled for years with infertility, or miscarriages, due to a treatable GYN condition like fibroids or endometriosis. Come meet CIGC at the event and learn about the laparoscopic treatment options we provide.

CIGC surgeons Paul MacKoul MD, Natalya Danilyants MD and Rupen Baxi MD provide minimally invasive surgical treatment for gynecologic conditions, using 2 incisions only. Women recover in less than 2 weeks after the advanced LAAM myomectomy for fertility, and in 1 week after the DualPortGYN procedure used for endometriosis removal. Many patients are able to conceive naturally after surgery, see patient testimonials in our Patient Spotlight section.

A pelvic adhesion is a band of scar tissue that can cause vital organs to become stuck together. Pelvic infections, prior surgery, and endometriosis are all potential causes of adhesions. Pain occurs when these adhesions are particularly thick or interfere with the operation of the organs.

In particular, adhesions may cause internal obstruction of the bowels. Serious, untreated adhesions often result in constipation, bloating, and even infertility.

Symptoms of Pelvic Adhesions

The smallest pelvic adhesion may be asymptomatic, meaning that women can suffer from them without even realizing it. However, most adhesions cause pain centered on their location in the pelvis. They can also interfere with organ function, which can cause systemic issues and infertility.

The presence of adhesions does not necessarily mean that they are the cause of pain. If a woman has suffered from endometriosis in the past, for example, a full examination must be conducted to ensure the development of uterine cysts and other complications are not to blame for pain.

Pelvic Adhesion Removal at the Center for Innovative GYN Care

CIGC founders Paul MacKoul MD and Natalya Danilyants MD have developed the advanced DualPortGYN laparoscopic technique. DualPortGYN has been successfully applied to thousands of procedures for pelvic adhesion removal, resection of endometriosis, hysterectomy etc. Women recover in 1 week, with less complications and pain, due to the minimally invasive approach.

Have you been experiencing fibroid symptoms? Fibroids can cause problems including heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods and pain in the pelvis. These problems, in turn, can contribute to a wide range of other complications. Iron deficiency anemia is a common outcome that has dramatic effects.

What most women don’t realize is that fibroids can affect reproductive health. Even fibroids that don’t cause any symptoms normally may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. Fibroids can make it difficult to become pregnant and may make health issues more likely throughout pregnancy. Lower implantation rates, increased risk of miscarriage and early delivery are potential outcomes.

HOW TO TREAT FIBROIDS

Many women are advised by ill-informed medical professionals that they should take a “watch and wait” approach on fibroids. This gives them time to develop and spread further throughout the uterus, which can worsen symptoms.

Women often later find out their fibroids have grown and have distorted their uterus, making conception difficult or even impossible. For some, it is too late to preserve fertility and hysterectomy is recommended as definitive treatment. The risks of letting fibroids grow can be severe, and it’s important to do extensive research when it comes to managing this common GYN condition.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE FIBROID REMOVAL

The Center for Innovative GYN Care founders Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Natalya Danilyants and CIGC-trained physician Dr. Rupen Baxi use advanced techniques to perform minimally invasive fibroid removal. The innovative LAAM technique is used to perform laparoscopic myomectomy, to preserve fertility. The DualPortGYN approach is used for minimally invasive hysterectomy, as definitive fibroid treatment. Both procedures use 2 small incisions only, and recovery is less than 2 weeks.

TALK TO US

Call 888-SURGERY or contact CIGC online to schedule an evaluation with a CIGC fibroid specialist Paul MacKoul MD, Natalya Danilyants MD or Rupen Baxi MD. Patient feedback is available in our patient spotlight section and on doctor review sites: Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews | Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Rupen Baxi Reviews.

Boyenoh, 36, was first diagnosed with fibroids back in 2005. Her OBGYN advised to watch and wait. Boyenoh’s symptoms gradually got worse. She was struggling with heavy menstrual bleeding for several weeks at a time. She became anemic and symptoms started to affect her work.

A doctor at Georgetown University Hospital recommended Lupron, which did not work for Boyenoh. She also tried a Mirena IUD, which helped stopped the bleeding, however her fibroids continued to grow.

“My stomach started growing. At first, I looked chubby, not pregnant, but in 2012/2013, I started looking pregnant. The IUD was coming up on its term. I saw a different doctor at GUH, and she ordered an ultrasound and an MRI. This doctor said I was going to have to have surgery and she would have to cut me wide open from my chest down. After that last visit with the GUH doctor, I started to be more proactive in my search for doctors.” Boyenoh said.

FIBROID TREATMENT OPTIONS

Women struggling with fibroids should get to know the benefits and limitations of every treatment method. Invasive open procedures have long recovery times, and robotic or standard laparoscopic myomectomies are limited in the number and size of fibroid that can be removed. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is not recommended for women who want to get pregnant, which many patients are not aware of when choosing this treatment method. Hormone treatments are not effective for the long-term.

A minimally invasive myomectomy is a fertility sparing fibroid removal procedure performed at CIGC with the LAAM technique. LAAM was developed by CIGC founders Paul MacKoul MD and Natalya Danilyants MD and uses only 2 small incisions. Women recover in less than 2 weeks.

“The Center for Innovative GYN Care wasn’t on my radar until one of my sisters told me about it. My fibroids were so big, you couldn’t even see my uterus on the ultrasound. My uterus had moved up to my chest. There was an urgency now to remove the fibroids.”

“I had 7 lbs of fibroids throughout my system. The scar is nothing. It’s amazing. I woke up and saw how small my stomach was. It really was like I was pregnant with the bulk of the fibroids.”

THE RESULTS OF A LAAM MYOMECTOMY

For women who are of reproductive age, LAAM fibroid removal can help them prepare for fertility. Even large or multiple fibroids can be removed with LAAM myomectomy. There is no limitation in fibroid location, size and number with this advanced technique.

“Words can’t express how much my life has changed since I had the surgery. My second period after the surgery was two and a half days long. I’ve always traveled even with the fibroids, but now, I plan to run for a marathon. Now that I’m back to fighting weight, I’m training now to run the Marine Corp marathon for October this year. That’s my immediate plan.”

“No woman should have to live with the painful and long periods that I did. There is such a huge potential for the fibroids to grow. I want to be able to help other women who have fibroids understand the different options that are out there. I think a lot of doctors are well meaning, and if they knew about this, they would refer more patients to The Center for Innovative GYN Care.”

TALK TO CIGC SPECIALISTS

During hysterectomy awareness month, CIGC is committed to educate women about the best and least invasive options for GYN care. Hysterectomy surgery can provide relief from complex GYN conditions like large fibroids and adenomyosis. It is however often recommended by medical professionals in situations when the uterus can actually still be preserved for fertility. Women should get to know their options before committing to a specific procedure or surgical approach. They should always seek the opinion of a GYN specialist when hysterectomy is recommended as surgical treatment.

Although hysterectomy is a fairly common procedure, 7 in 10 women incorrectly believe that it entails removal of the uterus, cervix and ovaries. The reality is with a standard hysterectomy, the ovaries are preserved. More about what hysterectomy entails in this blog: Your Hysterectomy Surgery: What About The Ovaries?

The Center for GYN Care physicians Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Natalya Danilyants and CIGC trained physician Dr. Rupen Baxi use the innovative DualPortGYN approach to perform minimally invasive hysterectomy with only two 5 mm incisions and recovery is 1 week. 

See what former CIGC patients have to say about DualPortGYN hysterectomy in this blog:  Looking For A Top Hysterectomy Surgery: Women Talk About DualPortGYN

TALK TO CIGC

Fibroids can be asymptomatic in some women. In others, they cause pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. They are very common, affecting over 80% of women, and can vary greatly in size and quantity. Women looking to get pregnant should know, fibroids tend to grow and they can distort the uterus as well as the inner lining. Submucosal fibroids that push into the uterine cavity are especially associated with lower implantation rates, lower pregnancy rates, and increased rates of miscarriage.

“My fibroids weren’t causing any day-to-day issues, but each year they were getting bigger. As my husband and I started thinking we wanted to have children, I realized that I needed to get checked out. My OB/GYN said that the fibroids were now the size of a small grapefruit or an orange, and there would be no room in my torso for them and a baby. She recommended an open myomectomy.” said Raynelle, who decided to travel to CIGC from New Jersey for the LAAM procedure. Read her story here.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE FIBROID TREATMENT Fibroid symptoms can be relieved with temporary or definitive treatment through minimally invasive GYN surgery. While hysterectomy provides permanent relief, with myomectomy women keep their uterus for fertility. When it comes to a myomectomy procedure, it’s important that fibroids are removed thoroughly and the uterus is repaired so it can hold a growing baby. When the procedure is performed by a skilled specialist, with minimally invasive approach, recovery is much faster.

CIGC physicians use two midline incisions in their LAAM approach for myomectomy. Women recover faster with less pain, and are usually back to themselves within 2 weeks.

“I bounced back pretty quickly. I was up in half the time, about a week. I was ready to go. I could drive, walk my dog. Deep down inside, I never thought I would get pregnant. You have these doubts in the back of your mind. But sure enough, now, I’m pregnant!” said LAAM patient Marlivia. You can read her story here.

Another LAAM patient, Tiffani, got pregnant after laparoscopic fibroid removal and resection of scar tissue at CIGC. “January 2016 to April 2016 I was everything I could to take care of myself, drinking tea, eating really well. We managed to get pregnant in July 2016.” You can read her story here.

TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS

If you would like to discuss your options for minimally invasive fibroid removal with a CIGC specialist Paul MacKoul MD, Natalya Danilyants MD or Rupen Baxi MD, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. To read more patient feedback, visit online review sites: Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews | Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews | Dr. Rupen Baxi Reviews.

DualPortGYN hysterectomy developed by CIGC surgeons Dr. Paul MacKoul MD and Dr. Natalya Danilyants MD uses only 2 tiny incisions, and recovery is 1 week. With this advanced technique, hysterectomy can be safely performed in outpatient settings, and scars are virtually invisible once they heal.

Hear directly from our patients about their experience with laparoscopic hysterectomy at CIGC: DualPortGYN Hysterectomies Leave No Visible Scars

Painful and disruptive symptoms caused by GYN conditions should not be ignored. Women suffering from pelvic pain or heavy menstrual bleeding often believe these symptoms are normal, when in fact they are not, and they can be relieved.

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many women wait until their mid to late 30s and early 40s to have children. With age, the number and quality of the eggs decrease. If the woman is also suffering from a GYN condition, being able to conceive and carry to term becomes even more difficult. GYN conditions like fibroids and endometriosis can affect a woman’s ability to conceive and to have a healthy full-term pregnancy. In some cases, both mother and child are at risk.  

Delaying Treatment Leads To Complications

Many of the patients who come to see us have delayed treatment as other doctors have advised them to watch and wait. Large fibroids or extensive endometriosis can cause irreversible damage to the uterus. Women who want to have children and who could have retained their ability to get pregnant if they had gotten treatment sooner, end up having hysterectomies in their 20s and 30s.

As common as some GYN conditions are, they are not always immediately diagnosed. It’s important that women seek help in the early stages and find a specialist who has the training and expertise to recognize the signs and provide treatment that is effective and minimally invasive. With advanced laparoscopic surgery performed by a specialist, symptoms can be relieved with very fast post-operative recovery.

Advanced Minimally Invasive Treatment Get Women Back On Their Feet Faster

Another reason women often postpone surgery is not being able to take up to 2 months off work to recover, as is the case for open procedures. At CIGC, surgeons use advanced surgical techniques and procedures are performed through 2 tiny midline incisions to allow for less pain, less complications and a faster recovery.

Minimally invasive fibroid removal with preservation of the uterus is achieved with the LAAM technique, and recovery is 10-14 days. The DualPortGYN technique is used for hysterectomy, endometriosis, pelvic masses, ovarian cysts and prolapse procedures and recovery is 7-10 days. Visit InnovativeGYN.com to learn more about CIGC’s advanced surgical techniques and infertility surgery.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT 

To discuss your options with a CIGC specialist Paul MacKoul MD, Natalya Danilyants MD or Rupen Baxi MD, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online to schedule an appointment. The Center for Innovative GYN Care has offices in Maryland: Rockville and Annapolis, and in Virginia: Reston. Women from out-of-town travel to CIGC for minimally invasive GYN surgery through our travel program.  

Pain caused by complex GYN conditions can be debilitating. Symptoms often get dismissed even in doctor’s offices and women end up struggling for years. Some women suffer from multiple conditions at a time. Incorrect diagnosis and treatment can lead to further delays in relieving symptoms, and additional damage often occurs.

When suffering from fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis and other GYN conditions it’s important to seek the help of a specialist. GYN specialists are trained to recognize the symptoms and to provide thorough treatment for long-term relief. More about the GYN specialist advantage in this blog from CIGC’s Dr. Paul MacKoul: Practice Makes Perfect.

Read stories from some of our patients residing in Virginia. Janelle, Tiffany and Lisa have turned their lives around after minimally invasive GYN surgery at CIGC.

Janelle from Stafford, VA was diagnosed with endometriosis. She went through an ectopic pregnancy and lost her only viable fallopian tube. She suffered through many stages of disappointment and grief, with her supporting husband by her side. Janelle's dreams finally came true as she welcomed a baby boy in 2015, following minimally invasive endometriosis excision at CIGC and IVF treatments.

“I felt terribly alone and less of a woman for years, until now. I look over to my son Landon right now tearing up and smiling. We are beyond blessed with a beautiful healthy baby boy! This was a five year journey that began in April 2010. Initially I chose to deal with it silently, but now follow support groups and talk to a few about everything. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone!”

Janelle’s full story is available here.

Tiffany from Woodbridge, VA struggled with fibroids, adenomyosis and endometriosis. She went through several GYN surgeries, and was still suffering. Tiffany finally reached out to CIGC and had a DualPortGYN minimally invasive hysterectomy to relieve symptoms. Four days after surgery, she knew she felt different already.

“It’s only been a month, and I feel amazing. I can tell already that the pain I was having is gone. I understand that there are doctors who are trained to remove fibroids, but they aren’t experts. When I read up about the CIGC specialists, I felt really good about my decision. I’m ready to get my life back, and I feel like I’m headed in that direction. I like to work out, do Zumba, run, everything I missed out on while I was just living with the pain. I’m going to go skydiving again, and I love salsa dancing.”

Tiffany’s full story is available here.

Lisa from Reston, VA had a grapefruit sized tumor on her ovary. Her back was hurting and she had intense pelvic pain. She felt finally ready to have children, but the tumor would make it impossible for her to carry a child to term. At CIGC, Lisa found hope. After minimally invasive GYN surgery and IVF treatments, Lisa and her husband welcomed a little girl into the world.  

“Despite the size of the tumor, Dr. MacKoul said he could leave my uterus intact. Being over 40, I was worried. After Dr. Paul MacKoul said he could remove the tumor laparoscopically AND make it possible for me to try to get pregnant, I was relieved. After I had healed from the surgery, we decided it made sense for us to start IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments. The 2nd time was the charm!”

Lisa’s full story is available here.

BOOK A CONSULT 

CIGC surgeons Paul MacKoul MD and Natalya Danilyants MD use only 2 small incisions to perform laparoscopic GYN surgery for complex conditions. Due to the highly advanced surgical approach, women recover in less than 2 weeks after surgery. Learn about our innovative techniques on InnovativeGYN.com

If you would like to schedule an evaluation, call 888-SURGERY or contact us online. CIGC has offices in Reston, VA, Bethesda, MD and Annapolis, MD.

ABOUT US 

Uterine fibroids are very common, affecting about 80% of all women. Although it is a common GYN condition, sometimes it takes months and even years for women to get a proper diagnosis.

Leslie was dealing with fibroid symptoms and it took several months of discovery to get diagnosed. She first saw a urologist as she had a history of kidney stones, and eventually got evaluated by a gynecologist. The GYN suggested further investigation to diagnose Leslie’s abnormal bleeding and discovered the fibroids.

“I was anemic. The first doctor I went to did some tests, and I had to start taking iron pills. I had a heavy flow, and it was embarrassing. Worrying about it coming through my clothing. It was very difficult to plan accordingly. It slowed me down, because it was a constant back and forth to the doctor.” Leslie said.

You can learn about the dangers of anemia in this blog from Paul MacKoul MD: GYN Bleeding From Fibroids Can Cause Anemia

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR FIBROIDS

Many times women struggling with fibroids aren’t ready to undergo definitive treatment in the form of hysterectomy, but are often told it is their only option. It’s important that they speak with a specialist who is able to provide the best available option, taking into account the patient’s desire to preserve fertility. At CIGC, even large fibroids can be removed with minimally invasive approach, preserving the uterus.

“I had the diagnosis with the sonogram, and then I had to go in for an MRI to determine how many fibroids there were and then I had to decide how I wanted to handle the problem. Even though I’m in my 40s, I didn’t want to have a hysterectomy yet.”

“Initially, I was going to go through a regular gynecologist, I was prepped to have the surgery, but I was told the surgery would be 3 hours, the incisions would be large, and I would have a 6-8 week recovery. I wasn’t too pleased with that. They also told me that if I bled too much, they would have to do an emergency hysterectomy. I wasn’t too receptive to that. I didn’t want a hysterectomy, I didn’t want to be in surgery that long because it opens you up to risks, and I would be tilted. It sounded very risky to me, so decided to look through other options.”

DISCOVERING A BETTER FIBROID REMOVAL SURGERY

Leslie discovered The Center for Innovative GYN Care and learned about the LAAM technique. With LAAM, minimally invasive myomectomy is performed in outpatient settings, using two small incisions, and recovery is less than 2 weeks. Leslie decided to have her surgery here.

“I was very receptive to Dr. Danilyants. She made me feel like she was on board in understanding where I was in regards to not wanting a hysterectomy. The staff was great. Everyone that I interacted with was nice and understanding and helped me with what I needed.”

“Dr. Danilyants was able to remove all four of the fibroids, unlike my original doctor who told me she would only be able to remove one or two. I would have been disappointed in the other surgery, as it would have been half done, it wouldn’t have been worth it.”

“I was surprised at the speediness of the recovery. I was pleased with that, and so far so good, I haven’t had any challenges or problems. I didn’t have any pain like a major surgery. After my surgery, I gave myself an additional week to clear mind, body, and soul.”

Hear more from our patients: Women Talk About LAAM: A Safer & Better Myomectomy Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews |  Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews

SCHEDULE A CONSULT

Call 888-SURGERY or contact us online to discuss your options for fibroid removal with a CIGC specialist: Dr. Natalya Danilyants or Dr. Paul J. MacKoul. Women travel from across the country and across the world for CIGC’s innovative surgical techniques: learn about our travel program. 

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