Diagnostic Laparoscopy at Oshun · Kingston, Jamaica
Laparoscopy in Kingston, Jamaica.
A laparoscopy is keyhole surgery: a camera on a thin tube goes in through a small cut near the belly button, to look at the womb, tubes and ovaries. You are asleep for it, and a problem can sometimes be treated in the same operation. We estimate it at US$4,000 to US$10,000. You start with a consultation with Dr. Charles Rockhead, from J$11,000.
No obligation · Every consultation is in-person with Dr. Rockhead.
Diagnostic Laparoscopy at a glance
Dr. Rockhead
Your consultation is with him
In person
Consultation before anything is booked
US$4,000 to US$10,000
Estimate. Your own figure in writing
Kingston
Consultations at 9 Devon Road
No obligation
You decide after the consultation
WhatsApp
Questions answered privately
Every visit, without exception
Four things that are true of every visit
Care by an OB/GYN
Dr. Rockhead is a board-certified obstetrician and gynaecologist.
30+ years caring for women
Over thirty years as a gynaecologist in Kingston.
Written plan first
You leave your consultation with a written plan and a written price.
You decide
Your options, including no surgery. The choice stays yours.
Treatment Details
It is a real operation, so it usually comes after a scan or simpler test.
A laparoscopy can find the cause of pelvic pain when scans have not. Dr. Rockhead explains what to expect for you at your consultation. Not sure you need one? Ask us on WhatsApp.
Gas is put in to lift the belly wall, so the camera can show the organs on a screen. If something is to be treated, tools go in through more small cuts.
Why it is done
To look for the cause of long-term pelvic pain (pain low in the belly), to check for endometriosis, to remove a large, lasting or painful ovarian cyst, to check for blocked tubes with dye when that is likely, and to treat a pregnancy outside the womb (ectopic). Sudden, severe pain low in the belly when you could be pregnant: go to a hospital, do not wait.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is tissue like the womb's lining growing outside the womb, and it can cause painful periods. British guidance says scan first, but a normal scan does not rule it out, so a laparoscopy stays an option. US government advice says only surgery can be sure. Ask Dr. Rockhead what difference it would make for you.
A clear result
A normal result makes endometriosis unlikely, not impossible. A clear result is not the end: your pain is still real, and other causes can be looked for.
The short version
Before you say yes.
It is surgery under a general anaesthetic. Agree beforehand what may be treated if something is found.
Symptoms of endometriosis can return after surgery. Rarely, the operation has to change to open surgery, so you could wake with a larger cut.
02Medical Leadership
Who do you meet first?
Dr. Charles Rockhead, in person, at 9 Devon Road in Kingston. He goes through your history, your scans and what has been tried, and explains your options, including not having surgery. Bring any scan report or doctor's letter you have. Dr. Rockhead performs the operation himself.
Dr. Charles Rockhead, Medical Director — Oshun Cosmetic Services, Kingston.
Dr. Charles Rockhead
Medical Director · Board-Certified OB/GYN · 30+ years of practice
Dr. Charles Rockhead is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with more than thirty years of practice in Kingston. He is the Medical Director of Oshun Cosmetic Services and the founding physician of Amadeo Medical Group, the parent clinical practice.
How is a laparoscopy done, and when do you go home?
i.
Getting ready
You have a health check beforehand, which may include blood tests and a pregnancy test. We tell you when to stop eating and drinking; follow it exactly. Bring a list of every medicine, vitamin, herb and bush tea. If you take a blood thinner, tell us early: you may be asked to stop it, but never stop a medicine without asking us. Arrange for an adult to take you home and stay at least 24 hours.
ii.
The operation
You are asleep, under a general anaesthetic, and feel no pain. The cuts are small, about half a centimetre to one centimetre each. It usually takes 30 minutes to two hours.
iii.
Going home
After only a look, going home the same day is usual. If something was treated, you may stay overnight. Do not drive for 48 hours, or until you could do an emergency stop.
iv.
Pain afterwards
Expect a sore, bloated belly for a few days. Pain in the shoulder is common too: it comes from the gas, may last a few days, and is not a sign that something is wrong.
04Recovery & aftercare
Recovery: time off, what is normal, and when to call.
Time off work
After only a look, plan on about a week off, sometimes up to three. After treatment, two to three weeks, and up to six to eight weeks to recover fully.
What to avoid
We ask you to avoid heavy lifting and sex for two to four weeks. No flying or alcohol for 48 hours. Keep the cuts dry for 24 hours, then shower; no baths for two weeks, or until the cuts have healed. Move about early to lower the clot risk.
What is normal
A little vaginal bleeding for a day or two, bruising round the cuts, tiredness, and first few periods that may hurt more.
Results
You are told what was seen once you are awake; have someone with you, as you may be drowsy. If a sample is taken, its result usually takes one to two weeks. We check the cuts at one week and go through the findings at two to four weeks.
When to get help
Go to a hospital at once for chest pain, a racing heart, trouble breathing, coughing blood, a painful swollen leg, or worsening belly pain with fever or vomiting. Call us straight away on (876) 676-6297 if you have a fever or shivering, vomiting that will not stop, belly pain or bloating that is getting worse, burning when you pass urine, unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, or redness, pus, bleeding, swelling or pain at a cut (redness is harder to see on brown or Black skin). If we are closed or you cannot reach us, go to a hospital.
05Risks
What are the risks, and what should be tried first?
The risks
Complications are rare. They include damage to the bladder, the bowel or a blood vessel; bleeding inside; a bulge (hernia) at a cut; a blood clot in the leg or lung; a serious reaction to the anaesthetic; and having to switch to open surgery. An infected cut or a urine infection can also happen. Being overweight, smoking and diabetes raise the infection risk.
Later on
Surgery can leave scar tissue, and symptoms can come back, so more surgery is sometimes needed.
What to try first
For pelvic pain, a scan and sometimes three to six months of treatment with medicine may be offered instead of a laparoscopy. Most ovarian cysts are watched, not removed. To check for blocked tubes, an X-ray dye test usually comes first.
Not for everyone
We do not operate if your heart or lungs could not take the anaesthetic and gas, or you have a bleeding disorder or widespread infection. Tell us if you could be pregnant, and about past operations on your belly: scar tissue can make keyhole surgery harder, or rule it out.
06Cost & booking
How much does a laparoscopy cost in Jamaica?
What it costs
Our estimate for a laparoscopy is US$4,000 to US$10,000, for a look or for treatment. Your own figure comes in writing. Ask us whether it includes the hospital and the anaesthetic.
The consultation
Consultations start at J$11,000.
Where it is done
At a hospital or an accredited surgical centre. Ask which one.
Paying
Cash, debit card, credit card or approved financing. Before any operation, ask your health insurer whether your plan pays. We give you receipts to submit.
If this sounds right
The next step is a conversation, not a commitment.
Start with a consultation. Bring your scans. We go through what you have tried, and no operation is booked until you say so.
