Simplifying procedures in office

No matter how easy you try to make it, every procedure or surgery is associated with some anxiety and concern on the part of the person undergoing it.  Whether it’s an elective procedure, necessary to treat a medical abnormality, a major surgery, or a minor procedure, it usually provokes some nervousness and cautious preparation, or it’s just plain scary. 

Some procedures and surgeries can be done in the office, and that is the way I like to keep it if the person is amenable.  Office procedures are less complicated, less time consuming, less anxiety-provoking, less costly than the same procedure in the operating room of a hospital.  There are benefits of avoiding anesthesia: the patient is in more control, the person can give feedback on their comfort, there is less recovery and clearance of medications, and less side effects of anesthetics.   The cost of anesthesia and hospital are also avoided.

We have the knowledge and resources to do office procedures and keep it simple.  We can use oral medications for patient comfort and various types of topical and injectable local anesthetics.  We can work with sedative medications to decrease anxiety and discomfort at the time of the procedure.  I am very well versed in doing office procedures and keep up to date on the latest to keep people comfortable and get the procedure done.

Examples of surgeries that have been done in office for many years are cervical excisions such as LEEPs, endometrial ablations, hysteroscopy, endometrial curetting for endometrial pathology.  I can do vulvar and vaginal laser and thermal cutting procedures in the office with sufficient local numbing.  Cosmetic surgeries that can be done are labiaplasty, labia majoraplasty, perineoplasty, skin lesion removal, anal tag removal, and laser liposuction and fat transfer.  Injections of material for urine leaking, urine urgency and frequency, and sexual improvement can be easily done in the office.

Sometimes people are more comfortable being under anesthesia in the hospital for procedures, this is certainly an option.  One of the most important aspects of a surgery is to get it done with the best patient comfort and ease.

When you are in need of a surgery, you may be surprised as to what can be done in the office.    There are numerous benefits of doing a procedure in the office if the hospital and anesthesia can be avoided.  Ask me if something can be done in the office gynecologic or cosmetic, and we can work how it’s best for each individual.  Call me to see what I can do for you: 850-916-7766.

Author

Karen E Kennedy MD Gynecologist for over 21 years in Gulf Breeze, FL, caring for patients in the Florida panhandle area.