MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Prostate Cancer

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Radical prostatectomy

MY SURGEON: Dr. Thomas Ahlering

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: UCI Medical Center

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Once I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, turned out I ran into a good friend who had just had the procedure, and had a wonderful outcome. The more research I had done on the subject, I determined that the robotic procedure was the one for me.

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
When I woke up from the procedure, my pain level was minimal; just a little discomfort. I was surprised. I was quite surprised that I felt as good as I did.

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
The quality of life with this procedure was fabulous. From several good friends who had the open procedure - I have one friend who I go to the gym with - he was laid up for a good three weeks, and didn't really return to his normal activities for something like close to two months.

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
I took it on myself to contact (Dr.) Tom Ahlering at UCI (University of California, Irvine, Medical Center) because my existing urologist did not offer the robot as a procedure.

I WOULD RECOMMEND DA VINCI SURGERY TO MY FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS!