Imagine you’re a 47-year-old mother of two in Bozeman, juggling work, family and a busy household. For months, you’ve been dealing with heavy bleeding and chronic pelvic pain. Then your doctor recommends a hysterectomy.
For many women facing hysterectomy, the prospect of surgery can bring as much anxiety as the symptoms that led them there in the first place — pain, bleeding and the disruption of daily life. The recovery period is often an added concern.
Thanks to a new minimally invasive surgical option now offered at Billings Clinic Bozeman, some appropriate candidates may have an easier path to healing.
The technique, known as vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, also known as vNOTES, is a modern minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy and Dr. Jan Hunt, an OB/GYN at Billings Clinic Bozeman, is currently the only physician in Montana certified to perform it.
Unlike traditional hysterectomy methods that require abdominal incisions, vNOTES is performed through a small incision in the groin area. That means no visible scarring, and for many patients, significantly less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times.
Dr. Jan Hunt, OB/GYN at Billings Clinic Bozeman
“We know how much women in this region juggle — work, family, community — and being down for weeks after surgery can be incredibly difficult,” Dr. Hunt said. “Our goal is to keep patients close to home while offering the most advanced, least invasive care available.”
The vNOTES procedure is done under general anesthesia. Using a specialized device and a high-definition camera, Dr. Hunt accesses the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries with precision instruments, all while maintaining internal visibility and control. Once the surgery is complete, the device is removed, and internal incisions are closed without the need for external stitches.
A hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is a common procedure, with nearly one in four women undergoing one by age 55. Still, the decision to move forward with surgery is rarely taken lightly. Many patients weigh the potential for downtime, pain and long-term impact on their health and lifestyle.
With vNOTES, Dr. Hunt and the team at Billings Clinic Bozeman aim to make that decision a little easier by offering a leading-edge option that puts patient comfort and recovery front and center.
“This is about expanding options,” Dr. Hunt said. “If we can help a woman feel better faster, and she doesn’t have to travel out of town to do it, that’s a win for everyone.”
For more information, please visit billingsclinic.com/billings-clinic-bozeman/obgyn.
