Living and Delivering in Fort Bend

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COVER STORY | By S. Barot
Photos by Alisa Murray Photography –

Walking into an obstetrician and gynecologist’s office can be a daunting and nerve wracking experience for women. But Sugar Land OB/GYN Associates, colloquially known as Sugar Land OB/GYN, is a different environment altogether. With an office that promotes a comfortable, cozy and yet professional environment with friendly and accommodating staff, Sugar Land OB/GYN is and continues to be one of the best medical practices specializing in women’s care in the region.

The true crux of the practice are the three physicians and partners behind it: Deanna McDonald, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Niraj Patel, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. and Duc Le, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. All are board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Intelligent, dynamic and caring, they have demonstrated themselves as being some of the best and most sought after physicians in Fort Bend County and beyond.

A Family: Decades in the Making

Sugar Land OB/GYN has been in practice since 1998 and has grown considerably since then. Today, the practice has over 22 staff members. They choose to be well-staffed to ensure their patients receive both quality and expedient care. Since its inception, the practice has been fortunate to provide care for tens of thousands of patients. Undoubtedly, those are impressive statistics today, but the groundwork for this practice was set over two decades ago during the physicians’ residency years together.

“What sets us apart from other practices in the area is that we have known each other for over 20 years,” Dr. Le said. “We attended residency together at the University of Texas at Houston – Hermann Hospital Program, and we pride ourselves in practicing in a like-minded way.”

The camaraderie and friendly interpersonal relationships shared amongst the physicians is clearly evident. They view one another other as extended family members, and the sentiment extends to employees and patients, who are also treated like family. This is probably why a majority of the staff has been at the practice on average 10 years and why the practice continues to grow.

“We are the best of friends,” Dr. Patel said. “We are both partners and physicians, and when we take care of a patient, they aren’t just the patient of a specific doctor – they become an honored patient of the entire practice.”

A majority of patient referrals are from present patients, which is not a novelty at Sugar Land OB/GYN. Surprisingly, the physicians are at a point in their careers where they now manage the care of patients they once delivered, who are now in their teens and twenties.

Helping Women Become Fit & Fab

Sugar Land OB/GYN offers a variety of services to women looking to be advocates of their own health and becoming their best self. And while a trip to the gynecologist’s office may be overwhelming, Dr. McDonald ensures that women are always in control of their exams and what happens in the examination room.

“Patients are really the ones in control,” Dr. McDonald said.  “Our current and future patients should feel empowered walking into our door and knowing  that we have their best interests at heart. They will be taken care of in a manner that ensures their comfort.”

In addition to comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care, Sugar Land OB/GYN offers state-of-the-art technologies, procedures and diagnostic testing options to their patients. Three of the more recently available procedures the physicians perform are vaginal rejuvenation, urodynamic testing and single incision, minimally invasive surgery.

Slightly new to the industry, vaginal rejuvenation is a functional procedure that stimulates collagen production.  Recent medical literature has shown that the rejuvenation is designed to tighten muscles around the area to possibly promote the treating of urinary incontinence, menopausal vaginal dryness, vaginismus, urinary leakage and urgency, among other things. Urodynamic testing, one of Dr. Patel’s interests, is used to assess how the bladder and urethra are performing their job of storing and releasing urine. This testing is especially beneficial to those who experience urine leakage, frequent urination, painful urination, sudden, strong urges to urinate, problems starting a urine stream, problems emptying the bladder completely and recurrent urinary tract infections. Dr. Le’s area of interest – minimally invasive surgery – allows for miniature incisions for a faster recovery so patients can get back to their lives as soon as possible. Dr. Le is trained to perform a single incision hysterectomy, among other minimally invasive procedures.

Leading by Example and Becoming a Well Woman

Drs. McDonald, Patel and Le are committed to leading by example and demonstrating how women can be their best selves, both physically and spiritually. As an example of their long-term commitment to this goal, Drs. McDonald and Patel were two of the founding members of Orangetheory Fitness in Sugar Land.  Dr. Patel has been able to manage his weight loss by cycling and lifting weights.  Dr. Le spends much of his time running, and the three doctors are also involved in a charity called Hope Endowment.

Hope Endowment is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for India’s underprivileged, abused and disadvantaged children who have been otherwise left behind. The organization serves child-ren between the ages of three to 18 years of age. All children are provided with housing, food, clothing, medical care and education, as well as social services. Hope Endowment receives the support of hundreds of local Fort Bend community members. Currently the organization has over 200 children who live in newly built facility.

Dr. Patel said Hope Endowment is an avenue that helps them with their spiritual health pursuits by participating in an activity that helps the less fortunate. He added that in addition to their spiritual health, they strive to manage stress, get adequate sleep, eat nutritiously and attempt to obtain a balanced life in the hopes that their patients will follow suit.

“A well woman is someone who is well in mind, body and spirit,” Dr. McDonald said. “A well woman nourishes her body with healthy food and keeps her body fit with exercise, thereby lowering stress levels. She keeps her mind fit with meaningful work and engages her spirit in healthy activities. She remains socially connected and balances her time properly between her family and career.”

All three physicians acknowledge that many women are inundated with daily stresses that sometimes prevent them from putting their health first. They also added that most of their patients are great about keeping up with their annual exams and formal healthcare; however, patients tend to be lax with self-care. The antidote to that problem is simple – they wish for their patients to follow the advice they give to their young children.
“Women should be proactive about their health,” Dr. Patel said. “This means eating well, sleeping and exercising. Most women sacrifice themselves for their family, friends and their obligations. It’s important for women to take care of themselves as they are the backbone of the family. It’s important to keep mom healthy. Being an advocate of your own health and following through is the true meaning of being fit and fabulous.”

For additional information on these services or to schedule an appointment, call 281.499.4999 or visit sugarlandobgyn.com. Sugar Land OB/GYN Associates is located at 3525 Town Center Blvd. South in Sugar Land, and the office is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.