Minimally invasive fertility surgery can help overcome barriers on the path to motherhood
Everyone who visits Texas Fertility Center has a different diagnosis and unique family-building goals. As a result, each patient receives a customized fertility treatment plan. In some cases, this plan involves fertility medications or in vitro fertilization (IVF). In other cases, our Austin fertility surgeons need to perform minimally invasive fertility surgery.
Our surgeons use the latest outpatient procedures to restore fertility. At the same time, these techniques result in less scarring and a faster recovery for our patients.
Laparoscopy is one type of minimally invasive fertility surgery
Laparoscopy is an outpatient procedure that involves making two to three small incisions in the belly button and lower abdomen. Our Austin fertility surgeons then inflate the belly with carbon dioxide. This allows the abdominal and pelvic organs to separate from each other, which creates a space where the surgeon can work.
The surgeon places an operative telescope (laparoscope) into the incision. Using the laparoscope, the surgeon can view the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues. If the surgeon finds abnormalities during the procedure, they can treat them at the same time.
- If there is evidence of endometriosis, the surgeon can use laser therapy to treat it.
- The surgeon can remove ovarian cysts during minimally invasive fertility surgery.
- If there is evidence of scar tissue (adhesions), the doctor can remove them.
Most laparoscopic procedures take one to two hours. After the surgery, a patient needs a few hours of recovery before going home with pain medications. We recommend taking a few days off after surgery for a full recovery.
Hysteroscopy is another effective outpatient procedure for infertility
Hysteroscopy uses a thin camera like what doctors use during a laparoscopy. However, during this type of minimally invasive fertility surgery, the surgeon doesn’t make any incision. Instead, our Austin fertility surgeons place the camera into the uterus through the vaginal opening. The doctor places a small amount of fluid into the uterus to improve the view.
During the procedure, the surgeon can remove fibroids, polyps or scar tissue. They can also correct a uterine septum, which is an abnormal band of tissue that splits the uterus into two cavities.
After the surgery, a patient will spend a few hours in the recovery area. Typically, a patient will make a full recovery within 24 to 48 hours.
If you’d like to learn more about whether one of these outpatient procedures could be right for you, contact our office to schedule an appointment. Our Austin fertility surgeons will help you explore your family-building options.