What Is Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy, sometimes referred to as keyhole surgery, is a procedure designed to help diagnose or treat certain medical conditions quickly, safely, and effectively. By using this technique during surgery, the surgeon is able to achieve maximum success whilst causing minimum disruption in the body. We are proud to offer this procedure at Lively Wellness and Aesthetics in Odessa, TX, in order to provide the best outcomes for our patients.

What Is Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a highly advanced, minimally invasive procedure. During this procedure, a tool called a laparoscope is used. At the end of this slender tool is affixed a camera. This camera allows us to see inside your abdomen or pelvis with an incision that is only roughly half of an inch in length. Due to the minimally invasive nature of this procedure, it is shorter, less anesthesia is required, and the recovery process is far shorter.

What Conditions Can This Procedure Diagnose?

This procedure can diagnose a number of medical conditions, including abdominal infections, growths, such as tumors, blockages, and unexplained bleeding. Also, women can undergo this procedure to find out whether they suffer from pelvic prolapse, fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis. Sometimes, this procedure is necessary to diagnose certain conditions because physical exams and imaging tests may not provide enough information.

What Conditions Can This Procedure Treat?

In addition to diagnosing several medical conditions, this procedure can be used to treat a number of medical conditions. For example, it can be used to treat incontinence and remove an ectopic pregnancy. It can also be used to remove the uterus or perform a tubal ligation.

How Should I Prepare for My Procedure?

We will give you specific preparation instructions during your initial consultation if we determine that this procedure is a good fit for you. Regardless of the type of anesthesia administered to keep you comfortable, it is important that you wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to put on. Depending on the type of anesthesia you will receive, you may need to commit to a dry fast for several hours pre-op.

A dry fast involves abstaining from both food and liquids. While this may sound like a hard commitment to make, you should know that water will be acceptable pre-op until the final two hours before your scheduled procedure. It is only from food and certain beverages that you will need to abstain from for six to eight hours.  

What Should I Expect During the Procedure?

You can expect to feel comfortable throughout the laparoscopy process. When you come in, you will be brought to a private room and asked to take off your clothing and don a hospital gown. Then, you will be asked to lie on a comfortable table. Once you’re ready, we will administer general anesthesia to numb your whole body and allow you to sleep.

If your heart or lungs are not healthy enough for you to receive general anesthesia, local anesthesia will be administered to numb your abdomen. Once we have ensured that you will feel no pain or discomfort during your procedure, we will make a small, strategically placed incision. Through this incision, we will insert the laparoscope and put gas in your abdominal cavity to expand it.

What Happens After the Area Is Observed?

Once we have observed your abdominal cavity, we will remove the laparoscope. This, of course, assumes that we do not need to make any more incisions through which to insert other surgical tools and repair damage. Once the procedure is over and we have removed the laparoscope and any other inserted tools, we will remove most of the gas. Then, we will close your incision or incisions.

What Can I Expect After My Procedure?

You should not be surprised if you feel sleepy following your laparoscopy. You also should not be surprised if you find that you do not have an appetite once the procedure is over.

Am I a Good Fit for This Procedure?

There is a good chance that you are a good fit for this procedure. In the past, abdominal surgery involved making an incision that was anywhere from six to 12 inches in length. The requisite recovery period for traditional abdominal surgery ranged from one to two months, and a week-long hospital stay was often required.

In contrast, recovery after this procedure only takes between two and three weeks. It is ideal for more people due to its minimally invasive nature. An initial consultation is required before we can advise you on whether this procedure is right for you. However, it probably is if you are having problems in your abdominal or pelvic region.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves making tiny incisions in the pelvic or abdominal region so a small camera attached to a cannula can be inserted. It is primarily used for diagnostic purposes, but it can also be used to quickly, safely, and effectively treat certain conditions, like an ectopic pregnancy. If you are having stomach problems, contact us today at Lively Wellness and Aesthetics in Odessa, TX to schedule your initial consultation.