MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Uterine Fibroids

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Oct 3, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. Leslie Kardos

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: California Pacific Medical Center

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Iron supplements

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
Low blood count

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Least Invasive

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
1 night (my choice)

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
Discomfort, but never pain

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
3 weeks fully recovered

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
After about 1 week

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Wonderful

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Very minimal pain

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

Hi, my name is DeLisa,

I'd like to share my story about my successful hysterectomy just 2 months ago, on Oct 3, 2008. I have really suffered and sacrificed for many years struggling with uterine fibroids. One day it was so terrible that I needed to be hospitalized and received 2 units of blood. I was functioning with half of my blood volume. My OB/GYN Dr. Leslie Kardos, who has been taking care of me for over 10 years, told me about the da Vinci Hysterectomy and felt that I was a good candidate for this surgery; she had been performing this surgery for 5 years. My mind was made up in an instant. Non-invasive hysterectomy! For an active working woman, wife, mother and dancer, this was the way to go.

I stayed one night in the hospital. Went home the next day and was on short road to recovery very quickly. I felt discomfort, not real pain. I couldn't believe it. After 3 weeks I was back to work as a surgical nurse, going to dance rehearsal, and trick-or-treating with my children. I had no complications, I was truly blessed. After just 2 months I performed with the Chinyakare Ensemble, our African Dance Group from Zimbabwe, based in Oakland CA, singing and dancing and having a wonderful show.

Thank you Dr. Leslie Kardos, and all of the doctors and nurses at CPMC, SF, CA. Thanks you to my husband and my children and friends who supported, encouraged, and comforted me during my recovery. And especially Thank you da Vinci!