Advanced Gynecological Care with Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery

Did you know that Dr. Zapata is a pioneer in advanced minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery? He was the first surgeon in the greater Fox Valley area to perform a laparoscopic assisted hysterectomy, as well as the first surgeon in the greater Fox Valley area to perform a total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Throughout his career, Dr. Zapata has completed countless hours of continuing medical training in order to provide patients the most advanced, state-of-the art gynecological treatments available, including minimally invasive surgical techniques such as tubal ligation reversal, laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, and da Vinci robotic surgery. Some of the benefits of minimally invasive surgical techniques include: faster recovery time, minimized risk of blood loss, smaller incisions, minimized scarring, and less need for pain medication. In the vast majority of laparoscopic and robotic assisted hysterectomy cases, patients are able to return home the day of surgery as a result of minimally invasive treatment options & advances in medical management protocols.

If you would like to learn more about the minimally invasive surgery options Dr. Zapata offers, you can schedule an appointment by calling our office at 630.882.0264. We look forward to assisting you.

Mario A. Zapata, M.D.

A pioneer in advanced minimally invasive and robotic gynecological surgery.

Schedule an Appointment

Call our office at 630.882.0264 to schedule an appointment and learn more about the minimally invasive surgery options Dr. Zapata provides.

Answering your questions about endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that affects up to 1 out of every 10 women. In today’s blog post, we hope to answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from patients about this common health condition.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium, tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and frequently infertility.

The tissue growth typically occurs in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis, but it can occur in other areas of the body as well.

What are some common signs & symptoms of endometriosis?

• Pelvic pain and cramping

• Lower back and/or abdominal pain

• Heavy bleeding during menstruation

• Bleeding and/or pain between menstrual periods

• Pain during or after intercourse

• Discomfort during urination or bowel movements

• Chronic fatigue

• Digestive issues including diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or bloating

• Infertility

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Because many of the symptoms of endometriosis mimic those of other health conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an accurate diagnoses is needed for treatment. One or more of the following tests will be performed to diagnose endometriosis:

• Physical exam & assessment of family history

• Ultrasound

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Laparoscopy

What are the treatment options for endometriosis?

While endometriosis has no cure, there are several treatment options available to help manage symptoms. Medication or surgery are currently the most common treatment options. The treatment option you and your doctor choose will ultimately depend on the severity of your symptoms, risk factors, and whether or not you are trying to conceive. 

Medication:

• Hormonal contraceptives

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists

• Progestin therapy

• Aromatase inhibitors

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Surgery:

• Laparoscopy

• Hysterectomy

We hope this post has helped clarify some of your questions about endometriosis. If you have any other questions, or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please call our office at 630.882.0264 to schedule an exam.

References:

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Endometriosis.” ACOG, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, June 2020, https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometriosis. 

2. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Endometriosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 24 July 2018, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656.