St. Valentines Day hasalways conjured up images of eager boyfriends and husbands rushing to buythat perfect gift that says, "I Love You." Over the decades, women havebecome better able to communicate more specific wish lists to theirsignificant others rather than simply accepting generic and, sometimes,short lived gifts such as flowers.
Such was the case for Carl and Kristina of suburban Chicago. Aftertwelve years of marriage and five very large children, sex for Kristina hadbecome, physically and emotionally, a mind numbing experience. Her anatomyhad changed and sensation had disappeared during sexual relations. Thevulvar appearance no longer looked "trim and youthful," said Kristina. "Iwas so embarrassed; I no longer wanted him near me without the lights off."That's when the Chicago couple began their internet research. Kristina wasgoing to get the ultimate gynecologic cosmetic makeover for St. Valentine'sDay.
The couple discovered the website for the Laser Vaginal RejuvenationInstitute of Michigan and phone consulted with the director, boardcertified gynecologic surgeon Dr. Joseph Berenholz. When queried whethershe had spoken with her gynecologist, Kristina explained that, "She said itwas all a normal consequence of childbirth, not to worry and just keepdoing my kegel exercises. I was so disappointed. I had been doing kegelsfor two years with no results!" The couple booked their flight for Michiganand arranged a date for surgery.
The consultation took place at the Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Instituteof Michigan. During the exam, Dr. Berenholz realized that Kristina was alsosuffering from stress incontinence, a condition where women lose urine whenthey laugh, sneeze, cough, jump or run. The surgery was scheduled for thefollowing day. Kristina had a Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation to tighten hervagina. She also had a Laser Labiaplasty and a sling procedure to cure herincontinence.
The procedure took two hours. The couple spent the night at alocal hotel and then saw Dr. Berenholz in the morning. After being givenfinal medical approval, the couple returned to Chicago happy and hopeful. "I took a mirror and looked down below," said Kristina. "I was sosurprised how wonderfully normal I looked. It was as though I had gone backin time prior to having my children!" Tears welled up in her eyes. "I wasso ashamed to discuss my problem with nearly anyone. Dr. Berenholz justmade it all so comfortable." Carl just smiled, happy to see the joy inKristina's face. Dr. Berenholz was the first Gynecologic surgeon in the Midwest to offerLaser Vaginal Rejuvenation. He trained in Beverly Hills with Dr. DavidMatlock, the originator of the technique and a regular appearing physicianon "Dr. 90210." Asked why he thought patients come to him from the entireMidwest including Michigan, Dr. Berenholz simply replied, "People wantexperience. This is the most delicate part of the female anatomy and istied in very closely to the female psyche." Dr. Berenholz is still amazedat how women tell him of the dismissive attitude of their Gynecologists.When asked if he found it humorous that a woman would ask for this type ofsurgery for St. Valentine's Day, Dr. Berenholz laughed and said, "It beatsgetting a box of chocolate."
