FOX 5 NY (June 17, 2022)
Father-son doctor duo
Laparoscopic surgery has been around since the turn of the 20th century, though methods have dramatically changed due to technological advances. Today, a laparoscopy shows us what’s going on with your abdominal discomfort in real time by passing a long, thin tube with a high-resolution camera into your abdomen through a small incision. From there, we can explore your abdominal area on a video monitor without the need for open surgery.
Dr. Ira Klonsky and our team at South Shore Surgical are proud to offer this minimally-invasive procedure to our patients right here in our in Valley Stream, New York office. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Klonsky performs these procedures with care and efficiency.
If you think you might need a laparoscopy but aren’t sure if it's a fit for you, here are some answers to commonly asked questions.
If you’ve been feeling pain or discomfort in your abdominal area, and ultrasounds or X-rays haven’t been successful at finding the cause of your discomfort, laparoscopic surgery can be the next step. The procedure allows us to see everything going in the targeted area, making it very helpful. As mentioned, it’s minimally-invasive, so you won’t have to worry about excessive scarring and embarrassment.
Once Dr. Klonsky performs your laparoscopic surgery, he’ll know what needs to happen for you to feel better and live comfortably.
Your first appointment will be a consultation with Dr. Klonsky. This is our chance to determine that you’re an eligible candidate for the procedure, and that non-surgical testing isn’t enough to formally diagnose you.
If you are a candidate for laparoscopy, Dr. Klonsky takes your medical history and symptoms into account before prescribing a treatment plan following your surgery. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before and after he performs the procedure.
Dr. Klonsky can give you specific instructions concerning your clothing, and when you should cut off food and liquids. Given the minimally-invasive nature of the procedure, it’s unlikely that you will make any big adjustments to your daily life around the time of your procedure.
After determining that you need laparoscopic surgery, we will work with you to choose a convenient date. Dr. Klonsky knows how urgently you need the procedure. If you’re living with discomfort, consider that the sooner your procedure is completed, the sooner you’ll start to feel better. In the case of a blockage or growth, it will be in your best interest to schedule your procedure as soon as possible.
When you come in for your procedure, you’ll be guided to a table that slightly elevates your feet above your head. To eliminate pain during surgery, we place you under general anesthesia.
Dr. Klonsky then makes a small incision near your navel into which he inserts a tiny camera to look around inside. You can expect that your abdomen will be inflated to make it easier for us to help you. Dr. Klonsky may need to make more than one insertion if something needs to be removed. Additional incisions are made for other minimally-invasive tools for removals and repairs.
Occasionally, an overnight stay in our recovery room is necessary, but most people can go home on the day their procedure is performed. We strongly recommend asking a loved one to drive you to and from our office on that day. As mentioned, we use general anesthesia during your procedure, and this leaves you groggy and unable to drive or lift heavy objects.
Long-term abdominal discomfort could be an indicator of a serious problem. Don’t wait until the pain is unbearable to give us a call. We also have an online scheduling tool for your convenience. Reach out today so that we can assist you.
