MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Uterine Fibroids

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

MY SURGEON: Dr. Peter Stevenson

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Traditional hysterectomy

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
Invasiveness, chance of infection, recovery time

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Doctor recommended, less invasive, better recovery time, no more D&C procedures

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
Just overnight

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
Some pain, but it was minimal

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
6 weeks

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
I was driving within 2 weeks. I was just careful not to overdo things.

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Information and options given by Dr. Stevenson prior to making my decision for this particular type of surgery was very good. I trust my surgeon and his staff and therefore was comfortable with both the decision and the procedure. The follow-up was also good.

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Of course surgery has consequences and is an important decision. But since the information was clear regarding the surgery itself and post surgery, there were no surprises or false preconceptions.

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

After weighing my options and making the decision to have a hysterectomy, the determining factor was my surgeon's recommendation for this particular method. The surgery itself was not bad at all, with minimal pain and discomfort.

I followed my instructions for post-op, and I found I was actually back to normal within 2-3 weeks. I did have a slight infection in the belly button incision but that was taken care of and was no big deal. I was driving within 2 weeks and was just careful not to overdo things.

In comparison with a friend who also had a traditional hysterectomy (due to uterine cancer and a bladder suspension), this was by far a better method. I did have some concerns about being overweight, but I would recommend the da Vinci method. It is less invasive, has less chance of infection, and has a quicker recovery time.