Feminine Mystique - Urogyn.org

FeminineMystique12 | SPRING 2009SpecializedCareSpecialties at South CoastUrogynecology:RRGynecologyRRUrogynecologyRRReconstructive pelvic surgeryRRAesthetic Vaginal SurgeryRRAesthetic LasersRRBio-identical HormonesProcedures performed by SouthCoast Urogynecology:RRVaginoplasty (vaginal rejuvenation)RRPerineoplasty (Perineorrhaphy)RRLabiaplasty Minora(Labial Reduction)RRLabiaplasty MajoraRRClitoral Hood ReductionRRHymenoplastyRRLaser ResurfacingRRIncontinence SlingRRCystocele Repair (Bladder Repair)RRRectocele/Enterocele Repair(Rectal Repair)RRVaginal Vault SuspensionRRUterine SuspensionRRVaginal HysterectomyRRLaparoscopic HysterectomyRREndometrial AblationRREssure SterilizationSouth Coast Urogynecology, Inc.949-499-5311urogyn.orgWorld-renowned physicianRed Alinsod, M.D., helpsease pain and restore thebeauty of women, onepatient at a timeThroughout the world, countlesswomen are in pain. They suffer from ailmentsthat may be difficult to discuss with loved ones oreven their physicians. For many of these women,their quality of life has become impacted.Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapseaffect millions of American women eachyear. Women with these urogynecological conditionsexperience a wide range of difficulties—from mild discomfort to severe pain. Accordingto the American Medical Association, urinaryincontinence, or leakage of urine, affects up to 56percent of women over the age of 65. Pelvic organprolapse occurs when pelvic structures, like therectum or bladder, protrude into the vaginal wall.This can make walking, standing, sexualintercourse and/or urination problematic. Thesedisorders may stem from a number of factors—from damage to the pelvic floor following childbirthto heavy lifting to severe constipation.Unique Services and careUrogynecology is the study and treatment offemale pelvic medicine and pelvic floor reconstruction.South Coast Medical Center is fortunateto have the expertise of world-renownphysician Red Alinsod, M.D., FACOG, FACS,ACGE. Dr. Alinsod, a urogynecologist andaesthetic vaginal surgeon, specializes in thediagnosis and treatment of incontinence andpelvic organ prolapse. This highly soughtaftersurgeon is the founder of South CoastBy Wendy AllenUrogynecology—the first aesthetic vaginalsurgery center and chronic pelvic pain center inSouth Orange County.“We are a full-service clinical care center forwomen,” says Dr. Alinsod, who has been on staffat SCMC for several years. “We are not merely agynecology office, or a med spa or laser center—we are all of that and more. We offer impeccablemedical care in a luxurious setting.”In order for Dr. Alinsod to treat urinaryincontinence, he first determines the type ofincontinence his patients have:ppStress incontinence—abdominal pressure thatcomes from a laugh or sneeze.ppUrge incontinence—a sudden urge to urinate.ppOverflow incontinence—the inability to fullyempty the bladder.ppFunctional incontinence—physical prob-lems such as arthritis may delay the trip to thebathroom.Big BreakthroughsThe cutting-edge development that Dr. Alinsoduses for treating incontinence involves the useof a device called a “MiniTape.” This MiniTape,which is made from ultra lightweight mesh, isplaced under the mid-urethra to act as a backboardwhen one sneezes or coughs. This thenblocks the urethral opening and either decreasesor stops the leakage of urine. This procedure iscalled “tension-free” because the sling is notsutured into muscle, fascia or bone. Also, the

construction of the sling allows for the patients’healing tissues to grow into it and hold the meshsling in place. Due to its thinness and very lowweight, complications have been exceedingly fewwith results that are outstanding.Dr. Alinsod also has a very high success ratewith his treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, ofwhich there are three different forms: Rectocele,the prolapse of the rectum; Cystocele, the prolapseof the bladder; Uterine Descensus, the prolapseof the uterus; and Enterocele, the prolapseof the small bowel. Dr. Alinsod is able to zero inon the different types of prolapse to treat the specificneeds of each patient.Mpathy Medical is a medical device companythat develops a range of surgical solutions usedto restore pelvic health to women. Restorelle,Mpathy’s pelvic floor restoration product line,uses the ultra lightweight Smartmesh with itsproducts. Smartmesh, which is among the thinnestmesh in the world, has revolutionized thefield of urogynecology.Furthermore, not only does Dr. Alinsod useSmartmesh exclusively, he has also conducted astudy on the long-term outcomes of this product.This retrospective study, which included 201women and took place November 2005 to October2008, found that the new erosion rate usingSmartmesh is less than 1 percent. This is a dramaticfinding, compared to the 15 to 25 percenterosion rates from the thicker mesh materials.If this weren’t enough, Dr. Alinsod has createdcustom designs out of the Smartmesh. Thesedesigns are used for vaginal surgeries, bladderand rectum prolapse repair, and minimally invasiveincontinence surgeries. Whereas previouslythe mesh pieces were cut into square shapes, Dr.Alinsod has designed pre-cut shapes that arethen tailor made for each patient.Doctor SpotlightRed Alinsod, M.D.Dr. Red Alinsod graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and completedhis OB/GYN residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center. His focus in those earlyyears was pelvic surgery. He was the first Rutledge Fellow at MD Anderson Cancer and TumorInstitute and was also selected as a Galloway Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering MedicalCenter. Dr. Alinsod was accepted to Yale’s Gynecologic Oncology fellowship but was unableto attend due to a military commitment with the US Air Force. He headed the GynecologicServices at George Air Force Base, CA, and Nellis Air Force Base, NV, as he concentrated onbenign gynecology, urogynecology, and pelvic surgery. Dr. Alinsod provides the highest qualityof care to his patients in a trustworthy manner.Patients travel from as far away as Australia, Greece and Nigeriafor the chance to be treated by Dr. Alinsod. Fortunately for the SouthCounty community, this internationally renowned surgeon is nearby.If you are in need of the services of Dr. Alinsod and his team at SouthCoast Urogynecology, then do what thousands of satisfied patientshave done and call their office today at 949-499-5311.His exclusive use of Smartmesh, coupledwith his custom designs, has changed the faceof urogynecolgy and it’s why patients come fromall over the world to see Dr. Alinsod. “I believe wewill dramatically improve the success rates withour patients, while at the same time decreasingcomplication rates,” he says.Vaginal RejuvenationOver the last few of decades, cosmetic surgicalprocedures have become more commonplace.Women throughout the United States are seekingways to improve themselves with a wide range ofprocedures, including facelifts, breast augmentationand, with increasingly more frequency, vaginalrejuvenation. Vaginal rejuvenation, also knownas aesthetic vaginal surgery or vaginoplasty, aimsFrom left: Connie Azar, Kerry Walker, Maria Islas, Dr. Red Alinsod, Laureen Campana, Diane Watson andJanet Valenciato tighten lax musclesand tissues, andremove excess vaginal Red Alinsod, M.D.skin. This procedurenarrows the diameter of the vagina, resulting ina smaller and tighter opening and vaginal canal.The first step for the decision to undergo aestheticvaginal surgery is also the one that is the mostimportant: choosing the right physician.“My goal is to make each patient feel feminineagain,” Dr. Alinsod says. “Women come to mebecause they want experienced hands they cantrust. They want choices and alternatives, and adoctor who will provide the best solutions.”Dr. Alinsod has refined the in-office vaginalrejuvenation surgery so that it does not requirean IV and is done under mild sedation and localanesthesia. Dr. Alinsod’s vaginal rejuvenationservices are unparalleled. He aims to restorepatients throughout the world. “My patientsbecome functional and beautiful,” he says.Dr. Alinsod is the National Instructor inAesthetic Vaginal Surgery for The AmericanAcademy of Cosmetic Gynecologists. He hastrained numerous gynecologists, urologists,plastic surgeons, and cosmetic surgeons.It’s widely known that Dr. Red Alinsod is aninternationally recognized physician. But whatsome don’t know is that he is also a teacher. Dr.Alinsod brings his wisdom and expertise to fellowphysicians. He has founded the Alinsod Institutefor Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery, which is a nationalsurgical training center. The Institute, which islocated in his offices on the SCMC campus, providestraining to physicians seeking to learn moreabout pelvic prolapse reconstruction, incontinencesurgeries, and vaginal rejuvenation.SPRING 2009 | 13