MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Other Gynecologic Condition

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Aug 8, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. Peter Stevenson

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Ablation

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
None

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Physician recommended

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
3 days

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
Only as related to the catheter

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
Less than two weeks

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
Went running for 20 minutes at two weeks post-op

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Great

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Had none

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

I had uterine polyps and didn't want to have to think about when they would return. I was the kind of patient who was begging for a hysterectomy, and I would have, even if it was a traditional one. I didn't need my uterus and hated having periods. Mine were lasting for over two weeks, and sometimes I would only have three days between them. The da Vinci surgery was perfect for me. My only difficulties were related to a urinary tract infection following the catheter removal. My bladder would not cooperate, so I spent an extra day in the hospital just waiting to pee normally. My recovery from the hysterectomy was nothing, maybe two days of soreness. By one week, I was walking over one mile, and by two weeks, I went running for a couple of miles. By three weeks, I was up to five miles, which is about as far as I go on normal runs. It was great and I would recommend it to anyone.