Minimally Invasive Surgery

Raffi Chalian, M.D.

Gynecologists & Oncologists located in Glendale, CA & Redlands, CA

Thanks to advancements in modern surgical tools and techniques, nearly all types of women’s health procedures can be performed using minimally invasive measures. At the office of Raffi Chalian, M.D. in Glendale, California, Dr. Chalian, a double board-certified OB/GYN and GYN Oncologist, offers laparoscopic and da Vinci® robotic procedures, so you can expect a faster recovery. Learn more about Dr. Chalian’s minimally invasive surgery options by scheduling an evaluation. Book your visit online or over the phone.

Minimally Invasive Surgery Q & A

Why do I need minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as the laparoscopy or da Vinci robotic system, are the preferred methods for almost all surgical needs. These highly advanced tools provide greater accuracy, lowered risk of bleeding, and even decreased downtime. Using minimally invasive measures, your OB/GYN can:

Perform a hysterectomy
Diagnose the cause of pain
Gather tissues for biopsies
Resolve heavy bleeding with endometrial ablation
Remove ovarian cysts (cystectomy), endometrial tissue, or uterine fibroids

If you’re still wanting to have children in the future, opting for a minimally invasive surgery is important to preserve your fertility and minimize injury and scarring to reproductive organs.

What happens during minimally invasive surgery?

Years ago, if you needed surgery on your pelvic organs, you could expect a long incision that could run as long as hip to hip. With more modern approaches to surgery, you can undergo the same types of procedures, with just a few small incisions.

Dr. Chalian performs almost all minimally invasive surgeries on an outpatient basis. Same-day surgery is even an option in some cases. Depending on your specific procedure, you’re under local or general anesthesia.

With both laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, Dr. Chalian makes several small incisions in various locations on your lower abdomen. He fills up the area with a safe gas — usually carbon dioxide — to expand your abdominal cavity and get a clearer view of your pelvic organs.

He inserts a tiny camera into one incision, then inserts specialized instruments into the surrounding incisions. Once all of the surgical tools are in place, Dr. Chalian makes repairs, gathers tissues, or captures images of your pelvic organs by watching a monitor and moving the instruments or robotic arms.

At the end of your minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Chalian usually uses surgical glue or dissolvable stitches to seal up your incisions. In many cases, you can return home the same day.

How long is the recovery after minimally invasive surgery?

Your recovery after a minimally invasive surgery with Dr. Chalian depends on why you need it. Even if you’re having a simple diagnostic laparoscopy or biopsy, Dr. Chalian wants you to rest for at least a couple days. Many types of minimally invasive surgery, including an ovarian cystectomy and hysterectomy, have a recovery period of about two to four weeks.

Usually, you can return to all of your normal activities, including lifting weights, running, and sexual activity, within about six to eight weeks. But you should always follow Dr. Chalian’s recommendations about lifestyle changes you need to make after surgery.

Schedule your minimally invasive surgery consultation at Raffi Chalian, M.D. today. Click on the online scheduler, or call the office directly.

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