The da Vinci® Surgical System is a sophisticated robotic platform that uses very small surgical instruments and a high-definition 3D camera. It enhances the surgeon’s ability to operate and offers a minimally invasive option for major surgeries.
I’ve been performing robotic bariatric surgery for a little over two years now. In that time, I’ve performed approximately 75 robotic gastric bypasses and have been very impressed with the results.
Based on my positive experience I was happy to accept the invitation when Intuitive Surgical, creator of the da Vinci® Surgical System, contacted me about being certified as a proctor. As a proctor, I help train other surgeons on using the system, either going on-site to work with them in the operating room or allowing them to visit my OR in Maryville to watch me work. I am honored to be one of only a few certified proctors on the East Coast, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to support efforts to increase the use of this valuable tool.
Robotic surgery is better for patients. Because it requires only a few tiny incisions, patients experience less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker return to work time. I had one patient who was up and walking soon after surgery, walked out of the hospital under his own strength 24 hours after surgery, and walked more than a quarter mile the next day. Almost all patients report that they require no pain medication, an important benefit in light of the dangers associated with addiction to prescription pain medication.
Robotic surgery is also better for surgeons, offering enhanced 3D vision along with more precision, dexterity and control. It also causes less fatigue, allowing surgeons to better focus on the procedure without the physical stress often associated with bariatric surgery.
I’m convinced that robotic bariatric surgery is better for patients and surgeons, and I’m happy to be at the forefront of this new technology.
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