MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Uterine Fibroids

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Oct 24, 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:
Instant menopause

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Physician's recommendation, speed of recovery

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
1 day

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
Bloating

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
1 week

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
2 weeks

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Excellent; I had full confidence in Dr. Fujita's skills.

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Much faster recovery and minimal post-surgical pain (than previous, conventional surgeries)

My anemia from severe menstrual bleeding was hampering me from performing daily living tasks (climbing stairs, exercising, talking). I felt that a hysterectomy would be my best option. The procedure went even better than I had expected. There was very little pain at the surgical sites; I was discharged in a day and back to work within 2 weeks. At my age, the possibility of cancer in the future is real. I find comfort that I don't have to worry about gynecological cancers any more. I am very happy now and have absolutely no regrets in my decision to have a hysterectomy. Dr. Fujita's expertise made this experience easier.