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Truckee’s Dr. Chris Richards: New technology offers women excellent health choices

Amy Edgett
Sierra Sun
Amy Edgett/Sierra Sun
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TRUCKEE, Calif. and#8212; Are you tired of painful periods or the worry of potential pregnancy? Dr. Chris Richards, practicing obstetrics and gynecology in Truckee, offers the latest in two technologies to alleviate either condition.

and#8220;Patients are really excited to have an in office choice,and#8221; said Tara Dolan, medical assistant. and#8220;We provide quality care, and emphasize spending time with every patient.and#8221;

Both procedures are done in the comfort of Dr. Richards’ office, which exudes coziness, using the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic instruments: the hysteroscope.



and#8220;The technology has been around for a couple of years, but it is more refined,and#8221; said Dr. Richards, who has practiced in Truckee since 1988.

Freedom from heavy bleeding



The hysteroscope, with the latest in fiber optics and digital imaging, is inserted into the uterus for diagnosis and therapy of abnormal uterine bleeding. Both doctor and patient may see the images on a monitor, which become part of the patient’s permanent medical record.

After determining the condition is not a result of a cancerous or pre-cancerous state, or a hormonal imbalance, the patient is considered a candidate for NovaSure. NovaSure is an endometrial ablation procedure, a minor operation that takes away the regenerative layer of the uterus with an electrosurgical method. No incisions, no general anesthesia. The recuperation time is much less than dilation and curettage, surgical removal of part of the lining of the uterus and/or contents of the uterus by scraping and scooping, or the six-week recovery for a hysterectomy.

The hysteroscope, with the latest in fiber optics and digital imaging, is inserted into the uterus for diagnosis and therapy of abnormal uterine bleeding. Both doctor and patient may see the images on a monitor, which become part of the patient’s permanent medical record.

After determining the condition is not a result of a cancerous or pre-cancerous state, or a hormonal imbalance, the patient is considered a candidate for NovaSure. NovaSure is an endometrial ablation procedure, a minor operation that takes away the regenerative layer of the uterus with an electrosurgical method. No incisions, no general anesthesia. The recuperation time is much less than dilation and curettage, surgical removal of part of the lining of the uterus and/or contents of the uterus by scraping and scooping, or the six-week recovery for a hysterectomy.

Hysterectomies were also used for permanent sterilization, along with tying fallopian tubes. The second procedure at Dr. Richardsand#8217; office is Essure, a breakthrough method of permanent birth control, for families that are complete.

A tiny coil of flexible nickel alloy is inserted into the fallopian tube, which causes ingrowth of the tissue that blocks the tube and prevents passage of eggs from the ovary. After three months, a confirmation test with dye is performed to make sure the surgery is successful. and#8220;The procedure is minimally invasive,and#8221; said Dr. Richards. It requires no hormones, no hospital visit, is incision free, and has a rapid recovery. According to Dr. Richards, here have been no pregnancies in the 500,000 Essure patients worldwide.

These two hysteroscopy procedures are state-of-the-art, in office, comparably affordable and covered by most insurance companies. Call 530-587-7919 for information.

Obstetrics and gynecology

10956 Donner Pass Road

Truckee, CA 96161

530-587-7919


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