Services: Surgeries

The physicians at Meridian Women's Health collectively have over 30 years surgical experience. Our physicians perform a broad range of gynecologic surgeries. Many procedures that once required hospitalization can now be done on an outpatient basis, either in the office, hospital or the North Seattle Surgery Center conveniently located in our building. Through continuing education, we are committed to enhancing our surgical techniques and broadening our knowledge of technically advanced treatment options, including many minimally invasive surgical procedures. A thorough evaluation of your problem (often including ultrasound) will assist us in determining which options are available to you.

Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which a thin telescope is placed into the abdominal cavity. Many gynecological procedures can be performed using this technique, including tubal sterilization, ovarian cyst removal, treatment for endometriosis, and hysterectomy. In addition, laparoscopy can be used to diagnose conditions such as endometriosis, adhesions (scar tissue) and fibroids. It is often performed to seek a cause for pelvic pain.

Hysteroscopy is a procedure in which a thin telescope is placed through the cervix into the uterine cavity. It can be used as a diagnostic procedure (for example, to discover the cause of heavy bleeding) and also to treat a number of conditions. These include treatment for fibroids (myomectomy), tubal sterilization (Essure ™), removal of polyps or scar tissue, and endometrial ablation.

Endometrial ablation is a procedure performed to eliminate or greatly reduce menstrual bleeding. The most common method used by the physicians at Meridian Women's Health involves the NovaSure ® system. This procedure uses cautery to destroy the uterine lining (endometrium). In most cases this can be performed in under 20 minutes with most patients able to return to work in 2-3 days.

Essure ® This procedure provides permanent birth control by obstructing the fallopian tubes without any abdominal incisions. Tiny coils are placed into the tubes from within the uterus. Permanent scarring then occurs and prevents pregnancy. Many women can have this performed without general anesthesia and are back to work or usual activities in 1-2 days.

Vaginal surgery: There are many procedures which can be approached vaginally, leaving no visible scarring. Often these are done for treatment of prolapse of the vaginal walls (cystocele/rectocele/enterocele) or the uterus. The uterus can also be removed vaginally for other indications as well. Most women who have a vaginal surgery are discharged from the hospital the following day. Many are back to normal activities in four weeks.

Abdominal surgery: This is mainly reserved for the treatment of large uterine or ovarian masses or when there is a concern about possible malignancy. We are able to arrange for a consultation with a GYN oncologist should a significant risk of malignancy be present.

Most abdominal hysterectomies can be performed through a low horizontal incision.

On average, patients who have an open procedure will spend 1-2 nights in the hospital and require a 6 week recovery period.