ADVANCED PELVIC RECONSTRUCTIVE PROCEDURES
Vaginal Rejuvenation: As a result of having children many women experience laxity (loosening) of their vagina and it's surrounding pelvic support. This can lead to stress urinary incontinence or leakage of urine upon coughing, sneezing, and lifting heavy objects. This laxity can also lead to decreased sexual satisfaction and embarrassment. There are now both non-surgical and surgical techniques to correct these problems.

Non-surgical techniques: There is physical therapy called InCare in which a small, tampon-shaped device is placed inside the vagina temporarily by a specially trained nurse. This device is used to build up the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal tissue and therefore naturally increase vaginal support. This physical therapy is usually performed on a weekly basis for 8 to 12 weeks. Patients can experience 60% to 90% improvement in vaginal tone and urinary incontinence symptoms. This treatment is painless and the techniques learned can be performed anytime and indefinitely to maintain a healthy vagina.

Surgical techniques: For women who have severe symptoms as a result of vaginal laxity there are surgical options. When the anterior part of the vagina starts to protrude from the vaginal opening, this is called a cystocele. This "dropped bladder" can cause an uncomfortable bulging sensation and pain during intercourse. There are vaginal reconstructive surgical techniques called anterior colporrhaphys which instantly correct this defect and reduce the caliper (size) of the vagina to bring it back to its pre-pregnancy state. Many women also have concomitant bulging in the posterior part of the vagina called rectoceles which are hernias of the rectum. This defect can also cause discomfort during intercourse and difficulty with evacuating stool from the rectum. A surgical technique called a posterior colporrhaphy can correct this defect. Dr. Lowney is one of the first pelvic reconstructive surgeons to utilize special mesh, (Avaulta, Apogee and Perigee) material in performing anterior and posterior colporrhaphys to increase the longevity and efficacy of the repair.

Dr. Lowney is also performing the suburethral sling operations for urinary incontinence including the TVT (transvaginal taping), TOT (transobturator taping), and MiniArc procedures.

Labiaplasty: Some women have large labia minoras (inner lips) which can cause pain during intercourse and embarrassment secondary to bulging out when wearing a swimsuit. Labiaplasty is surgical technique in which the labia minora is reduced in size.

NOVASURE AND HYDROTHERMABLATION ENDOMETRIAL ABLATIONS
When women are finished with childbearing and are experiencing heavy and/or irregular periods (menometrrorhagia) there is are 2 techniques performed now in the office under local anesthesia which can reduce menstrual flow dramatically and permanently. Dr. Lowney is the first gynecologic surgeon in New England and one of only a few gynecological specialists in the country to perform these 2 techniques in the office setting under local anesthesia. By doing these procedures under local anesthesia patients are not subjected to the risks of general anesthesia and there postoperative recovery is shortened. These 2 procedures take from 90 seconds to 10 minutes and have over a 90% success rate in alleviating heavy, painful periods forever. For more information see: www.Novasure.com or www.BostonScientific.com.

ADVANCED LAPAROSCOPIC HYSTERECTOMIES
For women who need to have there uterus surgically removed (hysterectomy) on account of heavy bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, or other benign reasons, Dr. Lowney is performing the most state-of-the-art laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LASH). This procedure is performed through 3 small incisions: 1 hidden in the belly button and 2 hidden in the pubic hair line. The entire uterus is removed in small pieces (morcellated) in about 45 minutes and the patient is usually discharged from the hospital in 24 hours. Most women are back to full activity within 2 weeks. This technique has revolutionized the postoperative discomfort and recovery time from months to weeks.

HYSTEROSCOPIC ESSURE TUBAL OCCLUSION
For women who are finished with childbearing, Dr. Lowney is offering the hysteroscopic Essure tubal occlusion procedure. This painless in-office procedure is performed under local anesthesia utilizing a small telescope (hysteroscope) placed transvaginally into the middle of the uterus in which the fallopian tubes are blocked with micro inserts. This procedure takes 5 minutes to perform and recovery is immediate because there is no cutting or suturing. Most patients return to normal activity within hours instead of weeks which is typical after the traditional laparocopic tubal ligation. For more info see www.Essure.com.