Is laparoscopic surgery safe?
Laparoscopic surgery is as safe as any other surgical procedure. The minimally invasive techniques have been used for surgery since mid-1980’s Nationwide, thousands of patients have undergone basic and advanced laparoscopic surgery. In many cases it has become the standard of care offered to most patients. There are always some risks and potential for complications with any surgery or procedure. The physicians will discuss these with you prior to surgery.

Is laparoscopic surgery more painful than traditional surgery?
Any surgery involves some degree of pain and the interpretation of how painful a surgery is varies from each person based on their tollerance for pain. Patients who have had laparascopic surgery tend to report that the degree of pain associated with laparoscopic surgery is much less than with the "open" surgical procedure.

How is minimally invasive surgery different from open surgery?
Rather than making a large incision to gain access to the problem area, the surgeon inserts a thin telescope-like instrument called an laparoscope through small button hole sized incisions. Light traveling along fibers in the endoscope lights internal organs or cavities and allows the surgeon or endoscopist to see inside the body. Other instruments used with the endoscope allow the surgeon to take photographs, obtain biopsies of tissue, and use lasers to cut, coagulate and vaporize tissue.

What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?
With minimally invasive surgery, the patient experiences many benefits including minimal pain after surgery, a much faster recovery than traditional surgery, drastically reduced hospitalization, less operative stress, and a great cosmetic result.

What are the disadvantages of laparoscopic surgery?
Carbon dioxide gas used during the procedure pushing on the diaphragm can occasionally cause mild shoulder or rib pain. Once the procedure is completed, the gas used during the procedure is removed and any minute amount of residual gas is absorbed by the body and exhaled by the lungs. This pressure is what causes this mild shoulder or rib sensation and resolves spontaneously.

Am I a candidate for laparoscopic surgery?
In the past, patients who have large scars or adhesions as well as overweight patients have been discouraged from undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Now, previous open surgeries that have resulted in scarring by no means eliminates the possibility of having laparoscopic surgery. Also, the size of the patient is not a limit either – as a matter of fact, laparoscopic surgery is the preferred method for gastric by-pass surgery. If you are interested in pursuing laparoscopic surgery, discuss the option with your family physician or call our office to set up a consultation.

How long will I be hospitalized after surgery?
The type of surgery performed will determine the length of stay in the hospital. Some laparoscopic procedures are now outpatient procedures with patients going home the same day. Patients who undergo more involved procedures may be in the hospital a day or two. In general patients spend about one half the amount of time in the hospital following laparoscopic procedures as compared to the same "open" procedure.

What is the recovery period at home after surgery?
The recovery period for laparoscopic surgery is quite rapid – about half the amount of time than with open procedures. The smaller incisions and less pain allows patients to resume their usual activities much faster.

How do I know if my surgeon is qualified to perform advanced laparoscopic procedures?
The amount of training and experience surgeon possess in performing these complex procedures is essential to ensure a successful outcome. Because there is quite a variance from one physician to the next, it is essential for you to ask your surgeon about their experience and outcomes. Formal year long fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic procedures provides a uniform and well-balanced level of training and is the premier level of training. Nationally very few individuals have received this specialized training. Both Dr. Glascock is a fellowship trained physician with exceptional outcomes on the surgeries he performs.

Why should I come to the Midwest Institute of Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery?
Our institute specializes specifically on advanced laparoscopic procedures.  Drs. Glascock and Hodges are trained in laparoscopic surgery and has broad experience in performing and teaching the many complex types of laparoscopic procedures. The advanced training of our physician, the experience of our surgical staff, and the comprehensive continuum of care provided by our office staff assures the patients of a degree of expertise not available by the average surgeon who performs laparoscopic surgery.

Drs. Glascock and Hodges performs all surgeries at Sartori Memorial Hospital using the latest technological advances and techniques to ensure patients receive the best and most up to date care possible in the Midwest.