Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery

We treat patients who want or need a completely updated version of Gyn specialty surgery. If your condition requires Gyn Surgery, we use state-of-the-art minimally-invasive techniques to obtain the highest standard of care and the best results. Most of our procedures allow a faster recovery, often making it possible to return to most normal activities in a few days rather than a few weeks. Typically, these procedures are done at an outpatient surgery center or at the “short-stay” satellite surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.  We now offer Davinci robotic assisted surgery. This minimally-invasive technique offers some advantages over traditional laparoscopic surgery, although the cost is higher. Dr. Swor's team is one of only a few in Florida who are trained in robotic gyn surgery. Dr. Swor has over 20 years experience in advanced gyn surgery techniques and continually adds updated versions of procedures to give our patients the best care available.

Michael Swor, MD

Founder, Swor Women’s Care

Founder, Advanced Surgery Specialists of Sarasota

Co-Founder, SMH Center for Advanced Surgery

Davinci Robotic Gyn Surgery

Dr. Swor launched the advanced laparoscopic surgery program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in 1985. He co-founded a special training facility for advanced surgery in 1995, designed for educating and training surgeons in new technologies and safety strategies. These included the use of computer guided robotics, lasers and minimally-invasive suturing techniques. He is an assistant clinical professor in the department of OB-GYN at USF Tampa and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Surgeons.  Dr. Swor is also a founding member of the Accreditation Council of Advanced Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy. 

 Our Laparoscopic Surgery “Firsts” in Sarasota

* Myomectomy (fibroid removal)                                         

* LASH laparoscopic removal of only the diseased portion of the uterus
* Laser surgery for endometriosis                                          

* Laparoscopic appendectomy

*Tubal reanastomosis (repair of tubal ligation)

*Davinci Robotic pelvic floor repair

Arranging your Surgery

When the Swor Women’s Care treatment plan calls for scheduling surgery, you will be given a brief overview of the process and the treatment outline. You will contact our surgery coordinator, who will work with you to set a date, time and facility for your procedure. This will all be coordinated with your insurance company and a financial overview will be discussed. We have special financial plans for patients without adequate insurance coverage.

Any necessary pre-testing will be arranged through our office, the lab, surgery facility or imaging center. The surgery plan will be provided to your primary care or specialty providers of record. If desired or necessary we will help you arrange a second opinion by another specialist. We will arrange a preoperative consultation visit in the week prior to your surgery, where a surgical consent will be obtained and a detailed description of the procedure will be provided. Instructions for fasting and other preparation are provided. We encourage you to ask any questions regarding your condition or planned procedure at any time. 

LVH (Laparoscopic Vaginal Hysterectomy)

 The surgical removal of the entire uterus using small incisions and minimally-invasive techniques. Ovaries are usually preserved unless the patient’s condition requires removal. Our patients generally stay overnight and are 90% recovered in 2 weeks. After surgery, these patients do not have periods and cannot become pregnant, but continue to produce hormones.

LASH (LAparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy)

Similar to LVH, but sparing the cervix and ovaries. Keeping the cervix is less invasive and allows faster recovery. Many experts believe that with LASH, there is the best potential for preserving pelvic floor strength and sexual response, since the vaginal canal is undisturbed. We commonly improve the pelvic floor support with a tightening procedure at the same time a LASH is done. These patients are 80% recovered at 1 week. Surgery is done at an outpatient center or hospital short-stay. They do not have periods and cannot become pregnant, but continue to produce hormones.

Laparoscopic Myomectomy, Ovarian Cyst and Endometriosis Surgery

Laparoscopic treatment of fibroids, cysts and endometriosis leaves fertility intact and often improved. Patients are 80% recovered in 3-4 days. These procedures are done when pain, bleeding or fertility are significantly impaired.

Pelvic Floor Repair

We treat many types of pelvic floor problems, including “dropping” or prolapse of the uterus, bladder or vagina. We also use the latest techniques in surgical treatment of bladder leakage including slings and “bladder tacking”. These procedures are also minimally-invasive, with short recovery times and excellent outcome statistics. When necessary, we use the new “Repliform” tissue grafts to improve tissue strength and long-term success. The goal of these procedures is to improve bladder, bowel and sexual function, when pelvic support has been damaged by pregnancy, childbirth or injury.

Hysteroscopy and Endometrial Ablation

Dr. Swor also pioneered operative hysteroscopy in Sarasota over the last 20 years. These outpatient techniques include endometrial ablation for excessive menstrual bleeding, removal of uterine polyps and tubal cannulation for “blocked tubes”. Ablation effectively stops all menstrual bleeding in most patients and leaves all organs intact. Hysteroscopy recovery is 90% in 3 days for most patients.

Our Surgery Patients

We evaluate and treat patients from all over the world in cooperation with their primary care internists, family doctors, urologists, and current OBGYN providers. We are also open to assisting patients of non-traditional medical practitioners and believe in a practical holistic approach to patient care. As always, we maintain the highest standards in medical care, ethics, privacy, safety and infection control. For your benefit, we participate in the best managed care plans and insurance programs.  We provide responsive advice and consulting to our colleagues and future patients on request. We always offer coordinated care with your family physician, internist, ObGyn, surgeon and urologist.

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Bladder Health

We offer careful survey of bladder problems, urine testing, voiding studies and urodynamics testing for leakage issues and weak bladders. We have state-of-the-art electronic pelvic muscle toning therapy, when Kegel exercises and/or medication is not effective. We patterned our treatment after current treatment techniques used at the Mayo Clinic.

We are currently using leading edge techniques for improving bladder, pelvic and rectal tone and function. State-of-the-Art sub-urethral slings and bladder neck suspensions provide rapid recovery and a high level of successful outcomes. We have done several research studies and added new treatments for improved sexual health. Click Here for more information on bladder and pelvic support issues.

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Endometriosis

We specialize in evaluating and treating endometriosis and other causes of pelvic pain. Click Here to take a brief survey and learn more about our endometriosis program.

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Fibroids

Many women are found to have fibroids (leiomyomas) in the uterus. Most do not require treatment at all. If diagnosed, the fibroids should be watched for indications of more serious problems. Treatment is usually recommended if they grow rapidly, become too large, cause significant bleeding or pain or other problems. They can cause fertility problems or difficulties with pregnancy. We use pelvic exams and vaginal ultrasound to check fibroids. Treatment can involve medication, minimally-invasive procedures or hysterectomy. Our specialty involves treating fibroids with the least invasive techniques, such as myomectomy - removing them surgically with small scopes, lasers and other innovative tools. Most of the time this can be done on an outpatient basis with minimal incisions and a rapid recovery. Since many gynecologists and surgeons will suggest larger incisions and even hysterectomy, we offer second opinions and the full spectrum of options.

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Cervical Cancer Screening

We now offer Papsure™ direct visualization of the cervix in addition to Autocyte cell screening as the latest technology in detecting precancerous changes. This new study improves the effectiveness of our overall cancer screening strategy. This $40 test is available to all patients, but is particularly useful in those at higher risk for the HPV virus or cervical cancer. Risk factors include smoking, abnormal Paps in the past, higher risk sexual practices and a family history of cancer. We have detected precancerous lesions of the cervix in our patients using PapSure, that otherwise would have been missed. Click Here to learn more about PapSure.

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LASH Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy

Similar to LVH, but sparing the cervix and ovaries. Keeping the cervix is less invasive and allows faster recovery. Many experts believe that with LASH, there is the best potential for preserving pelvic floor strength and sexual response, since the vaginal canal is undisturbed. We commonly improve the pelvic floor support with a tightening procedure at the same time a LASH is done. These patients are 80% recovered at 1 week. Surgery is done at an outpatient center or hospital short-stay. They do not have periods and cannot become pregnant, but continue to produce hormones.

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Weight Management/ Smoking Cessation

We don't have a secret formula, but we do have experience in helping patients choose the right diet, exercise plan and when appropriate, nutritional/ herbal supplements or prescription diet aids. We also can assist our patients in putting together an effective smoking cessation plan. Call for an appointment to get started.

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Breast Health

We offer all patients careful clinical exams and breast health history and risk assessment. When proper diet, nutrition, genetics and hormonal balance aren't effective, problems are dealt with efficiently with the best interests of the patient in mind. We act liason with imaging specialists, and do breast focused ultrasound and fine needle aspiration when appropriate for cell/ fluid sampling. We have online programs for risk assessment and referrals for genetic testing in high risk families. New technologies include nipple fluid aspirate testing and ductal lavage. All potentially cancerous breast problems are dealt with using area breast surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. We have affiliation with USF College of Medicine & the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, as well as advisory contacts at 21st Century Oncology and Duke University through Gray Bowen Swor, a noted breast cancer specialist.

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Healthcare and Consumer Products

Over the years, we have consulted and advised a number of healthcare products manufacturers on quality objectives. We have also worked with other companies to determine the highest standards of quality for products and services our patients, families and friends shop for. Click Here to see our affiliates page, where we have filtered the internet and compiled a virtual mall of high quality and good deals.

We also offer our expertise and advice in choosing vitamins and supplements that are backed by clinical research and expert opinion. See our affiliate products page at www.medeonhealth.com to help you choose high quality supplements for almost all nutritional needs.

Through our office, we have a full line of some specialty products that can only be obtained with a professional medical license and used with a physician's supervision. These products have been chosen with the benefit and safety of our patient as the priority.

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