MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Jun 5, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. Nathan Fujita

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: The Queen's Medical Center

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
none

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
The thought of an electronic or mechanical malfunction.

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
It was the least invasive proceedure and would require minimal recovery time.

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
One overnight stay.

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
I didn't feel pain, just a slight discomfort around the wound areas.

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
Due to the nature of my work, I agreed to a six week recovery time from work.

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
Except for lifting a limit of 20 lbs. I went about with activities at home as usual. By the time I returned to work, I was able to perform all of my duties.

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
My doctor, his assistant and staff were absolutely wonderful. Everyone was caring and great about explaining things to me; I felt very looked after.

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
It was nothing at all like I had a surgery. There was minimal visible incision scars or pain. I woke up from the soundest sleep I've had in a long time.

I was experiencing very heavy menstrual bleeding, so my doctor performed a D & C. It helped for about a year, then my menstrual flow began getting heavy again. One day it was so heavy it instantly soaked my pad and overflowed. Luckily on that day I happened to have extra clothes. I was able to change and finish off my day at work. Having convenient access to a restroom is not always possible for me. I work in construction that puts me out there among a lot of men. Such unexpected occurrence can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing.
I made an appointment with my Ob/Gyn. We discussed some possible procedures, but he wanted me to have an ultrasound done to make sure there were no underlying problems. The ultrasound showed the development of several fibroids in and along my uterine walls. Blood test showed I was anemic. I was instructed to take iron for a month to build up my blood count.
Given my age and the increasing irregularity of my periods, it was determined that I was beginning menopause. The size of the fibroids was still small enough that I was a good candidate for the da Vinci surgery, and everything could be extracted via the vagina. Removing my ovaries, uterus and cervix would throw me in instant menopause, but I was transitioning that way anyway, so physical adjustments would be minimal.
I have 3 wonderful grown children. I was not going to have any more. I already was going through pre-menopause, and I couldn't continue to work if I would unexpectedly begin a heavy bleeding. It also would not be favorable for me to take off from work a few days every month without notice. One heavy bleed was able to instantly drop my blood count so low it put me at risk of a cardiac arrest. It only made sense for me to have all of it taken out. I wouldn't have to worry about developing ovarian cancer should I opt to leave it intact. A decision was made to go ahead with the da Vinci surgery.
I was scheduled for pre-op, at which time my vital were taken and instructions were given for the day of surgery. On the morning of the surgery, staff prepared me making sure I was comfortable and taking last minute vitals. The anesthesiologist and assistant surgeon introduced themselves and reassured me that was in capable hands. Dr. Fujita also stopped in to check in on me and offer me reassurance. I felt like a whole team was rooting for me.
I was soon wheeled into the surgery room, where I was able to see the console where the surgeons would be operating from and the large body of the da Vinci machine. I was eager to see more, as I always had an interest in medicine, but the next thing I knew I was being wheeled into the recovery room. I was still a little sleepy, but I remember wondering if it was over, because I didn't feel any different.
The amazing thing is the procedure required only 4 puncture wounds. I was able to sit up and toss around in bed without pain. I couldn't go anywhere, because a urine catheter was in place to prevent me from needing to go to the restroom. A nurse came in often to check on me.
By noon I felt hungry, but could only nibble a little at a time.
The next morning IV and catheter were removed, and I began going to the restroom myself. Bleeding from below was just spotting. By the afternoon the spotting stopped. A gauze was placed over my abdomen.
By 5pm that afternoon I was released from the hospital. The next day I was able to remove the gauze and shower. Took care to dry of the wound area covered now only by a piece of tape before getting dressed. Walking up and down stairs was a little uncomfortable, but not painful. I didn't need any medicine for pain. I was able to cook, although I asked my husband to lift the heavy pot. I took it easy for the first week or so until my follow up check up. After that I just made sure not to lift anything heavier than my granddaughter.
It's been about 9 months since my surgery, and I feel great.