MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Prostate Cancer

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Radical prostatectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Jun 12, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. James R Bollinger

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Paoli Memorial Hospital

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Radiation

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
Recovery and effects on sexual function

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Recommended by physician

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
3 days

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
Minimal pain for surgery

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
10 days

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
Gradually after 7 days

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Very good

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Recovery was much quicker than previous surgeries

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

In January after a routine blood test, my family physician noticed that my PSA number was high and advised me to see a urologist. After some tests, Dr. Bollinger told me I had prostate cancer and gave me the treatment options available to me. My wife and I decided that surgery was the best option for treating this cancer.

We researched da Vinci surgery through the internet and with information we received decided this was definitely the best option. However, Paoli Hospital did not have the da Vinci system available at that time. Because I work at Paoli hospital and have had other surgeries there, I really wanted to have this operation done at Paoli hospital and because I have great confidence in Dr. Bollinger I wanted him to do the surgery. During this time I found out that Paoli Hospital was in the process of obtaining the da Vinci surgical system. I decided that I would wait for the new system to be inplace to have my surgery.

I continued under Dr. Bollinger's care to be sure I was not jeopardizing my health by delaying the surgery. By June the new system was ready and because I had been waiting for the surgery since February, I was chosen to be the first patient to have surgery with this new system. The first 24 hours after the surgery were the most difficult as with any surgery but after that the most unpleasant part of this surgery was having a catheter. Instead of a large incision, I had 5 small openings which gave very little discomfort and healed quickly. Within 48 hours I was able to walk around and shower. I was discharged from the hospital after three days. I was able to use the stairs at home and to do normal activities around the house. I did not go back to work for several weeks because my job requires lifting and some strenuous work.

Comparing this surgery to previous surgeries I have had, the recovery period was much quicker and with less pain and discomfort. I would definitely recommend the da Vinci surgery to others who are facing a similar problem.

Ray McGowan, Dr. Bollinger and Terry McGowan