Endometriosis Specialist Dr. Laurence Orbuch Raising Awareness and Education For Optimal Treatment to Live a Better Life
Dr. Laurence Orbuch is the Director of GYN Laparoscopic/Robotic Associates LA located in Beverly Hills, California. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery for Excision of Endometriosis, Hysterectomy, Myomectomy, and Ovarian Cystectomy. He utilizes the latest, cutting-edge modalities such as the da Vinci robot to perform these procedures.
Dr. Orbuch recognizes the significant burden that gynecologic conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic pain can have on women. He has devoted his career to establishing a multidisciplinary approach to providing specialized care, focused on proper diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, incorporating the expertise of surgeons, radiologists, infertility specialists, as well as pain psychologists, physical therapists, and acupuncturists.
He embraces both western and eastern medicine in his pursuit of the optimal treatment of his patients and understands that most conditions require a multidisciplinary and more holistic approach to treatment beyond just the surgical intervention.
Dr. Orbuch and his staff strive to create a warm, compassionate and reassuring environment for patients. He takes the time necessary to comprehensively counsel his patients and answer all of their questions and concerns.
In addition, Dr. Orbuch maintains strong relationships with local, national, and international clinicians and scientists who treat and research these gynecologic conditions. These relationships help further his goal for the expansion and sharing of scientific knowledge in Gynecology.
Can you share with us your background and your career?
I am Board Certified by The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and have been in practice for 24 years. Upon completion of my training, I was on the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where I became the Director of the division of Minimally Invasive and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery. After seven years, I started my own private practice in New York City where I focused and specialized in the treatment of endometriosis and pelvic pain. In 2016, I opened a second office for my practice in Los Angeles, as there were no real Endometriosis specialists practicing in southern California. I currently practice in both New York City and Los Angeles.
Can you share with our readers why you started your practice and the mission behind the work you do?
I found, much to my surprise, that there is a paucity of Endometriosis specialists in the United States. There are actually fewer than 100 truly skilled Endometriosis excision surgeons in this country. I also developed a more integrative and holistic approach to treating those suffering from Endometriosis, as they generally have multiple pain generators and conditions which develop along with or due to Endometriosis, and most clinicians don’t address them. I also spearheaded a movement to diagnose these patients earlier in life and put a dent in the
statistic that most people experience an average of a ten-year delay to diagnosis.
What is Endometriosis and what can women do if they are diagnosed?
Endometriosis is a condition where there are implants of tissue that resemble the cells found in the endometrium (lining of the uterus). These cells are stimulated in the same way that the endometrium is monthly, and the same release of blood and inflammatory and other mediators occurs on or within the structures these implants are located. This then triggers a cascade of inflammation and stimulation of nerves which results in a myriad of symptoms that can be cyclic (related to menses) or acyclic (unrelated to menses). The symptoms tend to become progressively worse and involve other organ systems, such as the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, etc.
What makes your company stand out from others that are in your space?
My approach is a more holistic and mind-body approach, as by the time I am evaluating these patients they have been suffering for years if not decades. All of the co-existing conditions and pain generators must be addressed in addition to performing the proper surgery. I also perform Endometriosis excision surgery NOT ablation surgery. The difference is that with excision, you are actually cutting out and removing the disease. Ablation or fulguration burns the surface of these lesions and doesn’t remove it. It also doesn’t allow you to see the depth of the lesion and whether or not the entire implant was destroyed. In addition, ablation results in scar tissue, adhesions (adjacent structures potentially being adherent to the burnt surface), and frequently more pain because the burning triggers more pain signals to the central nervous system.
Excision surgery also has less than a 10% recurrence rate vs. ablation which has over 35% recurrence rate.
During the pandemic many people lost their jobs and livelihood, how did you adapt and pivot during this time to be what it is today?
Because my practice is a referral practice, and many of my patients also come from other states and regions, I was able to do many consultations via Zoom and FaceTime. I was able to review their medical records and discuss a treatment plan with them as well as schedule their surgery for a future date.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now?
I am always thinking of new clinical studies to pursue in order to further and advance the treatment of my patients. I am also involved with the AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) and other organizations to promote awareness and education in my field of specialty.
Where do you see your company going in this new year and in the future?
I want to continue to disseminate awareness and knowledge about Endometriosis in order to give more people access to the proper care in the treatment of their condition, and also educate health care professionals to recognize and identify these patients and direct them to the proper sources of care.
How can our readers connect with you on social media?
I am on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and have my own website www.lagyndoc.com
