What is single-incision weight loss surgery?
Single-incision surgery is rapidly becoming the preferred alternative for more and more types of minimally invasive operations in Los Angeles. Weight loss surgery is one of the areas in which it is regarded as a safe method that is just as effective as multiple-incision laparoscopic procedures.
In traditional laparoscopic surgery (the operating method used in nearly all weight-loss surgeries), the surgeon inserts the operating tools through several small incisions in the body. The surgeon monitors progress on a screen hooked up to a small camera, which is one of the surgical tools used. Single-incision laparoscopy is similar, except all the tools are inserted through one surgical incision.
The single-incision weight loss surgery advantage
Why is one incision better than several? For several reasons:
- Fewer incisions mean even fewer chances for infection and other surgical hazards (which already are pretty low).
- Fewer incisions may mean less pain.
- Fewer incisions mean less scarring. One tiny scar is left in a spot where you can't easily see it. This helps insure your privacy after surgery.
- Recovery may be faster if there are fewer cuts made to the abdomen.
In the past there were certain drawbacks to this type of surgery. The foremost was crowding. Surgeons who have to manipulate several instruments in one spot are specially trained to do so, and are competent at it; however, it can be cumbersome and take longer because the doctor has to work in a tight space.
Now, however, our Los Angeles practice has introduced the STARR Treatment for single-incision laparoscopic surgery. STARR — short for Surgical Tiny Access Rapid Recovery — is a patented array of instruments that are contained in one slim tool, called the SPIDER. When it is introduced inside the body, the instruments deploy like an unfolding umbrella. This allows the surgeon to have all the necessary instruments in the right place in a single, easy-to-handle tool. After the procedure is complete, the SPIDER folds up and is removed through the single incision.
What we do with STARR
STARR can be used for many types of abdominal surgery in Los Angeles. One of the more prevalent uses is for weight loss surgery. Many surgeries, including the gastric sleeve, can be performed with STARR single incision surgery. We can work with you to evaluate whether your individual case would allow the use of STARR; in many cases, it is a favorable option.
Is STARR for me?
Want to learn more? Call our office in coastal Los Angeles today at (800) 491-1977 to learn if we can give you the STARR treatment!
Sources:
Contributor to this page:
Dr. Misra is a highly respected, experienced bariatric surgeon, pioneer in the use of the SPIDER single-incision surgical system. She co-founded and directed the Canadian Institute of Bariatric Options before coming to California.
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Dr. Jeremy Korman
Dr. Korman is the medical director and chief surgeon at Marina Weight Loss. As a leading weight loss surgeon, he has performed more than 1,000 weight loss procedures. Read More...
Dr. Mona Misra
Monali Misra, M.D., is an experienced and respected bariatric surgeon on the staff of Marina Weight Loss. She has performed thousands of weight loss surgeries on patients in the United States and is a specialist in minimally invasive techniques. Read More...
