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Dr. Buten offers one-incision hysterectomy

By Deborah Mathison

The word hysterectomy used to send a woman's mental to-do list into a tizzy. A lengthy stay in the hospital and six weeks of recovery required a massive family reorganization - premade-meals, childcare, time off from work and housekeeping help. There's exciting news!

Gynecologic specialist, Jonathan Buten, M.D., now performs a through-the-belly-button, one-incision procedure to remove the uterus, ovaries and/or cervix using the next generation Single Incision Laparscopic Surgery (SILS) procedure at Cedar Park Gynecology (Center for Minimally Invasive and Reconstructive Gynecology).

Dr. Buten remembers when scars from hysterectomy surgery were typically five-inches long. More recently, laparoscopic hysterectomies involved four small incisions that still left scars. The new SILS 20mm single incision uses only one access point resulting in the potential for no visible scar.

The first Covidien SILS-trained gynecologist in Central Texas, Dr. Buten says his patients may head home hours after surgery and be back into a normal routine within ten days.

“My focus has become minimally invasive surgery and the avoidance of abdominal incisions to reduce the risk of infection, decrease pain, and shorten recovery time,” Buten states.

Board Certified in Advanced Laparoscopy, Dr. Buten's areas of special expertise are reconstructive surgery for pelvic prolapse and laparoscopic surgery; however, his practice specializes in all aspects of women's gynecological health.

“We offer a compassionate, state-of-the-art and balanced approach to care, and we encourage full, informed patient participation in decisions where the patient is offered both non-surgical and surgical alternatives,” says Buten. He performs laparoscopic myomectomies (for treatment of fibroids) and endometrial ablations as alternatives to hysterectomies.

“There are many more options available to women today to remedy their gynecological and menopausal issues and to curtail discomfort. Our aim is to make the diagnosis, choices and decisions easier and more clearly understood for our patients.”

If you are diagnosed with a large fibroid tumor, Dr. Buten may be able to save the uterus and perform an advanced laparoscopic procedure using a morcelator - a kind of “mini-mulcher” that allows him to effectively remove fibroids through the belly button while leaving the uterus intact. In contrast to traditional surgery, this procedure allows for a rapid recovery.

In-office ablations and sterilizations are offered. “Ablation is a procedure where the lining of the inside of the uterus burned off so that periods either go away or are much lighter. My patients are usually back to work the next day,” said Dr. Buten.

If you're looking for a method of birth control that doesn't require daily, weekly or monthly dosing, IMPLANON, an implantable birth control, is now offered at Cedar Park Gynecology. The procedure takes only a few minutes and the dosing lasts up to three years.

“I also have an interest in evaluating and treating perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, decreased libido and vaginal dryness. A full evaluation of menopause includes diagnostic testing. I want my patients to understand their options as they go through this transition and also know the alternatives to hormone replacement therapy,” Buten says.

Dr. Buten offers reconstructive gynecological surgery, repairs such as bladder neck suspensions, bladder, rectal, and uterine descent as well as in-office ultrasound and urodynamic diagnostic studies (bladder studies for incontinence).

Dr. Buten trained in obstetrics/gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and has enjoyed a successful OB/GYN practice in Austin for more than 28 years.

Dr. Buten delivered thousands of babies and performed thousands of surgeries in Austin before turning his eye toward Cedar Park. Strictly focusing on gynecology has been an exciting challenge for Dr. Buten. “Cedar Park has warmly welcomed our office, the first gynecological specialty office to open in this area. We are proud to bring quality, innovative gynecological healthcare to this area.”

To schedule an appointment or to receive more information about the SILS procedure or any other service offered by Cedar Park Gynecology (Center for Minimally Invasive and Reconstructive Gynecology), please call (512) 795-2009. The practice is located in the Cedar Park Medical Office Building, Suite 311, adjacent to Cedar Park Regional Medical Center just north of Target at RM 1431 and 183A.