MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Kidney Cancer

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Nephrectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Apr 22, 2009

MY SURGEON: Dr. Michael W McDonald

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Florida Hospital Celebration Health

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
no other - nephrectomy was the only option

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
finding a doctor to do it quickly who would use da Vinci

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
doctor recommended / precision of the robot / minimal cutting

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
5 days

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
yes, but it was minimal and controlled

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
back to work from home in 1 and half weeks; back in office in 2 weeks

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
started exercise / treadmill in week 3

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Dr. McDonald was excellent. His skill as a surgeon is A1, and his follow-up care in the hospital was excellent. Great bedside manner.

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Nothing to compare, as this was my first major surgery

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

I am a 51 year old male who passed blood, and a CAT scan picked up a tumor in my left kidney. I searched the internet to learn more and found about da Vinci [Surgery]. I located Dr. McDonald in Kissimmee, FL, met with him on a Wednesday, and he operated the following Wednesday. He removed the kidney / adrenal gland / adjacent lymph nodes and fatty tissue. Pathology reports came back with a 9 cm tumor - renal cell carcinoma. The good news was that it was encapsulated in the kidney. It is now 3 and half months later, and I feel great. I have resumed all normal activities. I recommend both da Vinci and Dr. McDonald.