Office-Based Procedures

Vasectomy is minor surgery to block sperm from reaching the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. Semen still exists, but it has no sperm in it. After a vasectomy the testes still make sperm, but they are soaked up by the body. Each year, more than 500,000 men in the U.S. choose vasectomy for birth control. A vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any other method of birth control, except abstinence. Click HERE to read more.

Interstim is an FDA-approved procedure, which has been shown to help women with urinary retention and overactive bladder. This two-phase procedure works by helping your brain communicate with your sacral nerves. Sacral nerves control the bladder and the nerves that help urinary function.

Dr. Byrne has the ability to perform a test trial period of nerve stimulation before the InterStim device is formally implanted. Dr. Byrne performs the test phase procedure in the office. She will numb a small area and insert a thin, flexible needle near the tailbone which will be attached to a wire placed near the sacral nerves. A small amount of electrical stimulation will test sensation to find the best placement. You can expect to feel a comfortable vibration, pulsing or tingling in the area of the vagina or rectum. The temporary testing wire is secured and you will have a remote to adjust the level of stimulation. 

The testing period takes about a week. During this time you will complete a bladder diary to track daily urinary habits.

If there is improvement in the urinary or fecal symptoms, the second stage of the procedure will be performed to implant the permanent battery in the upper part of the buttock. The battery is similar to a heart pacemaker.

With both procedures, you are able to go home the same day.

After both procedures you should limit activities for 7-10 days. This will allow for the placement of the device to settle, reducing risks. Activities to avoid include:

• Twisting at the waist
• Lifting more than 20 pounds
• Bending from the waist to pick something up; bend from the knees instead
• Reaching high above the head
• Scrubbing floors or vacuuming
• Aerobics or back exercises.

You can do normal walking and go up and down stairs after the procedure. Two weeks after the device is implanted a post-op appointment will check to see that the surgery was successful.

Click HERE to read more.