Robot-assisted surgery might sound like something from science fiction, but it’s a real thing, and it offers plenty of benefits for patients, including women undergoing hysterectomy.
If robot-assisted surgery is new to you, you might be wondering what to expect during your recovery, and you’ll certainly be pleased by the answer.
Rafael J. Perez, MD, FACOG, and our team at the Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery are skilled in the most advanced surgical techniques, including robot-assisted hysterectomy using the state-of-the-art da Vinci® surgical robot system.
Here, learn what to expect in the hours, days, and weeks following your procedure.
Before we talk about recovery, we want to explain robot-assisted hysterectomy and how it works. The first thing to know: Robots don’t perform the surgery — instead, Dr. Perez controls the robot surgical arms.
Robot-assisted surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery using very tiny incisions instead of the single, large incision, as used in traditional surgery.
The da Vinci system includes high-definition cameras that send highly detailed images to a computer monitor, allowing Dr. Perez to monitor and control the entire procedure.
So if the surgeon performs the surgery, what’s the point of the robot arms? Simple: Computer technology enables the surgical arms to perform the surgery with a high level of accuracy and precision, improving outcomes, reducing risks, and ensuring a more comfortable recovery.
Because robot-assisted surgery uses much smaller incisions compared with traditional surgery, there’s less chance of infection or bleeding issues. You’ll also have smaller scars to contend with afterward.
The robot technique allows Dr. Perez to place the incisions very accurately, avoiding the need to cut through muscle tissue and resulting in far less tissue damage overall.
Less tissue damage also means less swelling and discomfort afterward and faster healing. After all, if less tissue is damaged, it makes sense that there’s less tissue that needs to heal and recover afterward.
Many women undergoing robot-assisted hysterectomy find they have less discomfort during their recovery, and they can return to their routines more quickly.
In fact, many women find they can get back to most of their daily activities within a matter of weeks rather than the months it can take to recover from traditional hysterectomy.
Finally, a faster and more comfortable recovery helps you navigate the changes associated with hysterectomy, including cessation of periods and other hormone-related changes.
Knowing your recovery can be faster and more comfortable provides additional peace of mind that helps you feel more confident about your results and your long-term health.
Robot-assisted hysterectomy may offer benefits for many women, but it’s not always the right choice.
To learn more about the hysterectomy options we offer and which one we recommend for you, call 305-240-6047 to request an appointment with Dr. Perez and our team at the Center for Urogynecology and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in South Miami, Florida, today.
