MY CONDITION: Uterine Fibroids

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Sep 15, 2009

MY SURGEON: Dr. Nathan Fujita

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: The Queen's Medical Center

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
None

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
Recovery time

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
short recovery time

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
One day

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
slight discomfort

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
Within 2 weeks I was able to drive around

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
4 weeks

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
excellent care

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
I had watched my mother after she had hysterectomy and I was anticipating the pain that she had to go through but I didn't even feel the pain.

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

I was diagnosed with a prolapsed uterus a couple of years ago and knew that I probably would need to get a hysterectomy if the condition got worse sometime within the next 10 years. But when I went to check on the pain I was experiencing, which I thought was a bladder infection, I found out that I had a large fibroid growing near my bladder. I was very hesitant about having surgery and being out of work for a long period of time. My mother had a hysterectomy about 15 years ago, and it took her around 6-8 weeks before she was fully recovered to go back to her normal activities. After I had the surgery, I was expecting the pain and discomfort and thought I would be wobbling around for couple of weeks. I went home from the hospital with pain killers, but I didn't even need it after the first day. I was able to drive in less than 2 weeks and I had to consciously remind myself that I couldn't carry heavy things. My family saw me out and about after a few days, so I had to keep on reminding them that I was still "recovering," because I looked fine and was able to do a lot of my normal chores. I would definitely recommend this surgery to anyone who needs to have a hysterectomy.
PN 873657 Rev A 04/10