MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Other Gynecologic Condition

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Feb 17, 2009

MY SURGEON: Dr. Timothy Machon

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Saint Francis Medical Center

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
none

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
none, I felt very confident with my surgeon

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
minimal recovery time

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
1 day

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
yes for about a week

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
2 days back to work (physical labor)

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
2 days

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
I received the best care from the time I arrived at the hospital to the time I went home; everyone was very attentive

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Just after my hysterectomy, I had 2 unsuccessful carpal tunnel surgeries and have severe damage to both of my hands.

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

I have had fibroid cystic disease since age 11, along with endometriosis, which has always been difficult dealing with all of this discomfort in my breasts (sometimes unable to sleep) from such an early age. I had been put on birth control to help with some of the tenderness. [At] about 14 years old, I began having reoccurring cysts on my ovaries, [and so I was] always [needing] hot packs on my belly. Many times, [I had] surgery scheduled for cysts the size of grapefruit, (one time I was told it had sections and this was bad), but by the time of surgery, the cyst [was] gone. Always having abdominal pain most of my life, I always wondered what would happen when I wanted to start a family. [I found] myself pregnant at age 27, [and] after 2 months, I [was] diagnosed with placenta previa. [I went] to the hospital 2, 3, 4 and more times a week bleeding severely and very scared I would lose my baby. I was told strict bed rest, [remained] three months in bed [only] to make the final trip to the emergency room for severe bleeding. This time was different from all the others. They catheterized me, making a large mistake. The catheter was inserted into my cervix, puncturing my amino sac, draining all the amino fluid, finding this out while lying on the table for ultrasound. Of course, being told to be very still and not to move, the hospital assured me that (this pregnancy didn't look good anyway, sorry). Three days later I went into labor, delivering a dead baby.

Moving on, two years later, I am pregnant again. [At] 2 months, I started bleeding again, come to find out, placenta previa again... [I rested at] home in bed for 3 months, [and] only left the house to go to the hospital. My bleeding became more severe; the placenta was directly over my cervix. Barely [any] movement caused bleeding. To be safe, I needed to be in the hospital....

For 2 months, I lived at St. Francis hospital, [experiencing daily] tests, shots, etc., etc.... My daughter, now 18, was born 2 months premature. The hospital did a wonderful job saving my and my daughter's lives.

Two years after c-section, I developed pain and a lump in my scar. [I] had some tests done, to find another large cyst on my right ovary. [I] scheduled surgery, [and] come surgery day, they found no cyst, but did find endometriosis and scar tissue, and removed it.

Moving on, I continued to have abdominal pain, cysts coming and going, endometriosis, and large groups of cysts in my breast - [now] since age 11 - [so] considering surgery seemed necessary. I had enough. Dr. Machon offered me a [minimally] invasive surgery that would hopefully solve all my problems. We had talked it over and scheduled a date.

My surgery went too easy. I could not believe it. [I was] back to work in 2 days as a professional residential housekeeper (very physical work). Dr. Machon said I had a generous amount of endometriosis, also large quantities of scar tissue, my uterus was about 5 inches up into my abdomen. Also, he said my lower intestines were not near where it was supposed to be. Clearly, I was a mess...

I certainly can say after all my years of discomfort, for the 1 day of discomfort, I can move without abdominal pain, [and] I can breathe better having my parts removed from my abdomen. [It was] the most successful surgery ever. I feel like a new person. Deciding on surgery you must first trust your doctor and Dr. Machon is easy to talk to and made me feel very comfortable with my decision. Dr. Machon is an amazing doctor, explained everything to me in a way I would understand and blessed me with not having any more pain.....

Thank you to Dr. Machon and the da Vinci Surgery method.