MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Uterine Fibroids

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Dec 21, 2009

MY SURGEON: Dr. John M. Garofalo

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Norwalk Hospital

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
UAE (uterine artery embolization)

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
surgery; sexual issues; scars

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
After meeting Dr. John Garofalo, I felt that was the way to go.

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
2 days

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
yes

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
2 weeks

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
3rd week

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
My surgeon was phenomenal! I was truly impressed by him and his staff!!

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
I have never had surgery or been in the hospital. I was always concerned about not getting the best medical care due to human error.

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

Several years ago during my yearly pap smear my doctor thought she felt fibroids so she sent me for a ultra sound. My doctor said they would shrink once I started menapause. Every year for the past 3 years I have had an ultrasound to check on the size of my fibroids. This past August my pap smear came back with some issues - polyups found in the uterus and endometrial cells along with the fibroids on the outside which were very large (9cm to be exact). My doctor requested that I have a DNC right away to address the polyups however, As far as the fibroids she said there was nothing she could do because of the size and location. She gave me a name of a doctor who she did not know personally (Dr. John Garofalo - Norwalk, CT) however, she was impressed with his work in regards to the Davinchi procedure so I decided to go on-line and do some research. I researched the procedure as well as the doctor and was very impressed with what I had read - thank god for the internet!! I then made an appt to see him in person which was my first time ever seeing a male gynecologist. I was concerned that his office was an hour away from home and that he was affiliated with a hospital that I knew nothing about and again was an hour away from home. After meeting Dr. Garofalo I was truly impressed with his thoroughness and sense of urgency to my issue. He addressed all my concerns the first time I met him. I knew then that I could move forward with my decision. I had a hysterectomy on 12/21/09 and I feel fabulous! Once again I was impressed with my doctor and his staff! I felt like I was his only patient! He vistited me 3 times in one day to check on me! what doctor cares that much!! I have such admiration for this man and his work ethics that I will be his spokeswoman for life. I am truly amazed how quickly I was able to recover after having major surgery. My incisions were minimal my recover was quick. If there is anything I can do to help someone else who is currently going thru a similiar experience I will be more than happy to assist.