MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Sep 15, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. Barbie Davey-Sullivan

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Baptist Hospital

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
endometrial ablation

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
possiblity of reoccurrence

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
lessened blood loss; shorter recovery time

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
1 day

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
first 5 hours was intense, but lessened afterward

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
3 weeks

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
6 weeks

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Excellent

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
I am amazed at the technology that is out there now for this type of surgery.

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

After the birth of my second child (2001), I began to experience extremely heavy menstrual bleeding. There were some occasions where I was anemic. That was also topped off with cluster migraine headaches. After three years, I decided to seek further treatment. My gynecologist at the time recommended ablation. I agreed to this treatment and also to taking a prescribed medication for the migraine headaches.
In 2007 the symptoms reappeared. I had moved to another state, and found a new gynecologist. We discussed my options for treating my condition surgically. A year later, after realizing there was more to life than being on pain medicine for migraines one week before my cycle, have an 8-9 day extremely heavy cycle, and then ending the cycle with another migraine, I decided that it was time to be done with this once and for all. I was indeed a candidate for a hysterectomy... but which type? My gynecologist discussed the options of laparoscopy (traditional) or with the da Vinci System. I was very impressed with the da Vinci and how it worked. My sister had a hysterectomy three years ago and was not given the opportunity to have the da Vinci method. She was amazed at how fast my recovery was. She kept asking me, "Are you sure you are not in pain? You only took two ibuprofen on day two?" So, yes, if you need this type of surgery, seek a physician who is trained to perform it using the da Vinci method. Your quality of life will significantly improve!

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