MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Other Gynecologic Condition

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Hysterectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Feb 2, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. Darren Goff

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Mercy Health Center - Oklahoma City

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Dr. Goff and I talked at length about all my options before having my hysterectomy

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
Recovery time...I had a baby who was only 6 months old.

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
It was new to the hospital and my doctor spoke highly about it.

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
Only a few hours

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
There was a little discomfort but nothing like the horror stories I have heard from my mother and grandmother about their hysterectomies.

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
Maybe a week. The only trouble I had was that I felt so good after that I tried to do too much around the house and with my little boy.

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
I was back to work in 1 week

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Dr. Goff is truly one of the best doctors on this planet!! Most of my friends and family are patients of his now, and they will tell you the same thing. Dr. Goff is the best!!!

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
It doesn't! I have had several surgeries prior to my "da Vinci" one and the recovery time doesn't come close.

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

Before my hysterectomy, I had severe pain. Even doing the simplest of things caused pain. My husband and I made the decision for me to have the hysterectomy just 6 months after giving birth to our 1st and only child.

After discussing my options with Dr. Goff and staff, the date was set. I couldn't wait! I know that sounds silly. [But] when I told my family I was having the procedure, they were excited that I would finally have my life back!

When I broke the news that it was an outpatient procedure, they were flabbergasted. WHAT!?? All of the women in my family have had hysterectomies. Most, if not all, were in the hospital for nothing less than a week; then they spent the next two months lying around on the sofa with their feet propped up, watching old movies. To hear that I would be going home just a few hours after surgery made their eyes bleed with envy. All my life I heard them talk about these horrible stories of recovery, and I honestly thought I would feel the same. The only difference is I would be at home and not at the hospital, racking up some ridiculous hospital bill.

After surgery I remember thinking, "Wow, they gave me some good drugs, because I don't feel that bad at all." I remember waiting around for the pain to come, and it really never did. The worst part about it was that I felt so good the next day and the day after that, that I did too much. By the third day I was sore and tired, but nothing like I expected. I really felt great. I had energy. I only had a few small incisions that healed so quickly they weren't even a big deal. Heck, I was back to work one week after surgery and feeling great!! Dr. Darrin Goff gave me my life back!!!

After surgery I remember thinking, "Wow, they gave me some good drugs, because I don't feel that bad at all?". I remember waiting around for the pain to come, and it really never did. The worst part about it was that I felt so good the next day and the day after that, that I did too much. By the third day I was sore and tired, but nothing like I expected. I really felt great. I had energy. I only had a few small incisions that healed so quickly they weren't even a big deal. Heck, I was back to work one week after surgery and feeling great!! Dr. Darrin Goff gave me my life back!!!