Is scarless surgery possible? Amazingly, yes. Procedures that allow surgeons to use the natural openings (orifices) of the body instead of cutting into the abdomen leave absolutely no scars and are not only possible, but also preferable!
Scarless surgery (also called natural orifice surgery) is the ideal route for hysterectomy according to all professional gynecological societies. With these techniques, women recover quickly with very little pain and no scarring to indicate that they actually had surgery. Scarless surgery is less expensive than traditional, open surgeries, as well.
Unfortunately, it is harder and harder for women to find a gynecologist who is adequately trained to perform natural orifice surgery through the vagina. High-tech device manufacturers are pouring tremendous resources in marketing robotic and laparoscopic instruments to surgeons and also providing them with expensive postgraduate training programs. While these alternative routes are appropriate in the few cases when natural orifice vaginal surgery is not possible, most of the time they just add cost, recovery time and scars.
If surgery is in your future, make sure you educate yourself and talk with your doctor about all the available options.
Lisa Dabney, MD, is the Co-Director of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals.