Dr. Thomas earned her medical degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and then served a residency in OB/GYN at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston. She then completed her Fellowship at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

After teaching for a decade at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, she left to devote more time to research, charitable work and running her private practice. She is currently leading clinical trials for incontinence treatments.

What is the difference between a urologist and a urogynecologist?

A urologist is a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the urogenital system, which means they treat problems affecting the urinary tract and the reproductive organs. They thus treat problems affecting organs like the kidneys, bladder, urethra, testicles or vagina. A urologist may earn board certification from the American Board of Urology. Unlike urogynecologists, who treat only women, urologists may treat both sexes, although some do specialize in disorders that affect only one sex.

Urogynecology is considered a subspecialty of obstetrics/gynecology. Thus, a urogynecologist’s early training will be similar to that of a gynecologist: They serve a residency in OB/GYN that lasts four years and earn board certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Since a urogynecologist specializes in treating disorders of the pelvic floor, they will need to undertake a fellowship devoted pelvic floor disorders. That training takes two or three years.

Urogynecologists treat problems like prolapse of the uterus or bladder, certain types of incontinence, and severe constipation. They don’t treat cancer or kidney stones, however.

Both urologists and urogynecologists do perform surgery.

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is the layer of muscles that runs across the bottom of the pelvis and supports the pelvic organs. They include the sphincter muscles that control the bladder and bowel. Weakened pelvic floor muscles can lead to incontinence and other problems. Such weakness can be caused by the following factors:

• Age
• Obesity
• Chronic constipation
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Chronic coughing
• High impact exercises
• Heavy lifting

What is prolapse of the uterus?

Prolapse of the uterus or uterine prolapse is a condition in which the uterus protrudes of slides down into the vagina. It is caused by weakened and distended muscles and ligaments within the pelvic floor. In the early stages, uterine prolapse causes no symptoms. As the condition worsens, the patient may experience such symptoms as:

• Painful intercourse
• Problems urinating
• Sensation of heaviness in the pelvic floor
• Constipation
• Discharge from the vagina

If you are in the Thousand Oaks area and experiencing gynecological issues, you may need more treatment than a general urologist can provide. Instead, you can visit our trusted urogynecologist at the office of Dr. Sherry Thomas in Agoura Hills. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.

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The da Vinci surgical Robotic system is a robotic surgical system made by US company Intuitive Surgical. This Surgical System was approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in year 2000. It is specifically designed to perform complex surgical operations with great ease and comfort.

This surgical system is mostly used for repairing cardiac valve, for prostatectomies and increasingly for gynecological procedures. It involves minimal invasive approach and is controlled by a surgeon from console.

The da Vinci Robotic System is not a ‘robot’ in the sense one normally imagines, but this system consists of latest advancements in robotics, computer enhanced programs and software and the skills of surgeons. Surgeons have full control on this ultra-modern robotic device, and it can perform complex and diverse surgical procedures through small incisions and with great precision.

Features of da Vinci Surgical System

• 3D imaging in console views enables surgeons to see all anatomical structures in HD and natural colors
• This system can magnify the image up to 10 times
• Integrated touchpad of this surgical system provides comprehensive control of audio, video and system settings
• Multiple ergonomic adjustments and surgeon console features offer surgeons customized controls for longer surgical procedures
• TilePro multi input display offers surgeons and team to view an HD 3D image of the operative area
• Wide touchscreen of this system provides tele strain capability.
• Dual console feature empowers two surgeons to collaborate during surgical procedures
• Integrated intercom facilitate communications between two surgeons while both are sitting on consoles

da Vinci Gynecology Procedures

Women that undergo gynecology surgery often get scared and face significant anxiety and uncertainty.  When gynecology surgery is recommended to women, investigating about available treatment options and talking with the relevant physicians can ease women in making the right choice.

Using most advanced, latest and minimally invasive technology available, Da Vinci Robotic System can be the safest and most effective surgical procedure for a wide range of gynecological operations, including treatment for hysterectomy, fibroid surgery and ovarian surgery.

Robotic Surgery is performed at the hands of Sherry Thomas, ensuring complete care, precision and accuracy.  With the da Vinci Robotic System, you’re getting the benefits of a non-invasive treatment with the skill and performance of a traditional surgery.

Patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery receive all the potential benefits of a minimally invasive procedure, including less pain, less blood loss and less need for blood transfusions. Moreover, the da Vinci® System can mean a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery and faster return to normal daily activities.

Contact Dr. Sherry Thomas’ office today to find out if Robotic Surgery is right for you. Our highly trained and skill staff can answer any questions you may have, so call us today to set up your consultation.

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Dr. Sherry Thomas – located in Agoura Hills, Calif. – is board certified with more than 20 years of experience in her field. She is both a urogynecologist and surgeon specializing in pelvic reconstructive surgery, hysterectomy, pelviscopy, incontinence and fistula surgery.

Urogynecologists possess an all-encompassing knowledge of the female pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a term used to describe a set of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the lowest part of the pelvis that provides support for a woman’s internal organs – including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum. This means that you only have to see one specialist to treat a myriad of symptoms that can sometimes occur simultaneously.

As a urogynecologist, Dr. Sherry has further training in the analysis and treatment of conditions that impact the female pelvic organs, muscles and connective tissues that support the organs. This discipline makes it possible to care for women using both surgical and non-surgical treatment of non-cancerous gynecologic problems.

Dr. Sherry provides treatment for pelvic floor disorders including incontinence (urinary or fecal) and prolapse of the vagina, bladder and/or the uterus. Some of these include:

• Incontinence – the uncontrolled leaking of urine from the bladder, a condition that is more likely to occur in older women and is different than the incontinence experienced by children. In this particular case, treatments that range from exercise and medications to surgery are recommended.
• Cystocele – when the wall between the bladder and vagina is torn by childbirth, which causes the bladder to actually herniate into the vagina area. Cystocele can be painful and cause discomfort when trying to empty the bladder and cause a number of other symptoms as well. Women who are approaching menopause are more likely to suffer from this condition.
• Prolapse – when the pelvic organs of the female descend from their normal position and protrude into, or even through, the vagina area. Prolapse is a condition that can happen to women of all ages, though it most commonly occurs to women who have delivered large babies or had exceedingly long periods of labor.
• Hysterectomy – the surgical removal of the uterus – which may include the body, cervix, and fundus that is often called a “complete” hysterectomy or a partial one that leaves the cervix in place.

Some issues and symptoms stem from childbirth, while others simply come as we age. At Dr. Sherry Thomas’s office, it is our goal to offer complete treatment for all your pelvic floor conditions. Common treatments can range from medication or localized exercise to surgery – depending on the severity of the condition.

Whether you’re suffering from chronic symptoms, or you’ve been recommended to see a urogynecologist, Dr. Sherry can help you get the treatment you need. Call Dr. Sherry Thomas’s office today to schedule your appointment.

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