Mr. L. See, Ph.D. Age: 69
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
My surgery went well and I did not need blood or afterwords. I was hospitalized only for about 30 hours in all and was ambulatory upon discharge and went home. The catheter was removed in 7 days and I had no real discomfort with it, nor did I have discharges/incontinence afterwords. I credit Dr. Luis Anglo and Kara Cardinal, PA, for my fast recovery and compassionate follow up.
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
I was very satisfied with my surgery. Since I had a Gleaseon 7 tumor and extraprostatic cancer cells, along with negative margins and vesicles, the long term outcome is yet to be determined. by factors other than surgery. Whatever the final outcome, I feel that the robotic procedure gave me the best chance for long term survival. Available statistics seem to support my conclusion
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment approach was right for you?
After my first diagnosis, I did an exhaustive search including "watchful" waiting, and decided to select a surgical intervention.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
Each case is unique and I strongly suggest that anyone with prostate cancer obtain at least a second opinion about the kind of intervention needed.
Mr. C. Mooney, Age: 64
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
The overall robotic surgical experience was a lot easier to go through than realizing that I actually had CANCER, because the word CANCER was very frightening to me. The idea of having robotic surgery was a new technique that was amazing to me. The medical staff that prepared me for this surgery were fantastic with putting my mind as well as my wife's mind at ease with the entire procedure.
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
The outcome of my surgery was beyond belief.
I had a feeling of grateful relief...first to God Almighty for blessing me to come through this surgery without any major complications, and second to have such a talented and skillful surgeon to go in and cut all of the cancer out of my body.
I was extremely blessed to NOT...have to go through chemotherapy and radiation. I did not experience any pain afterwards, and I did not have to take any pain medication for discomfort.
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment approach was right for you?
After consulting with the physician, who gave me literature and DVDs to help explain various procedures and outcomes, my wife and I decided that we wanted to go with thie NERVE sparing procedure because we felt that this procedure would allow for faster healing.
Also, I felt that this robotic procedure would enhance the doctors ability to eradicate all of the cancerous cells because of the magnification of the robot, and a shorter recovery time.
The reason that I did not go with the other treatment approaches were that I did not want the long incision on my abdomen, as well as more pain, and the possibility of nerve damage.
I also wanted the entire prostate removed from my body so therefore I did not feel comfortable with seed therapy ot any other procedure that the prostate intact...knowing that I could still be walking around with the cancer in my body was really stressing me out. I felt better having the entire prostate removed.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
Yes, because,
- I had a short hospital stay
- I did not have any pain afterwards
- Speedy recovery back to intimacy
- I did not have to go through chemotherapy or radiation
- No excessive bleeding
- Five very SMALL incisions
- I did not experience any infections
5. Please comment on your robotic team
The medical team for the entire surgery were fantastic. The RNs and PAs were exceptional and extraordinary people on the road to my recovery and I thank and appreciate the care and support that each of them had given me.
Mr. HLM, Age: 66
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
While the experience is not an enjoyable one, the overall experience using the robotic technique exceeded my expectations. The recovery was quick and relatively painless. The healing process was very quick; no discernible scars.
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
I would rate this outcome as a 10. After a few weeks, there were no problems with incontinence, no leaking, and all other functions, returned to reasonable normalcy.
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment was right for you?
Research on the web, and talking to all disciplines--surgery, robotic, seeds. I had a surgeon, Dr. Anglo, who I trusted implicitly.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
Most definitely. The state of the art has improved over the last 5 years.
5. Please comment on your robotic team
Outstanding. And I was not an easy patients
Edward P. Swiney, Age: 66
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
Everything was great, the way I was treated before, during and after the operation
2. On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied were you of the outcome?
10. Everything went excellent
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment was right for you?
I thought it was the best way for me to recover from prostate cancer
4. Would you recommend having surgery with the robotic system to future patients
Yes.
5. Please comment on your medical team.
Everything was first class. I can't thank them all enough for what they did for me.
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
This was my first surgery. It was not painful and recovery went quickly. Honestly, the worst part of the whole experience was getting the catheter removed. The small incisions from the surgery healed quickly with minimal abdominal pain, and very different from what I was told to expect from the traditional approach.
2. On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied were you of the outcome?
I'm 4 years post surgery, and it is like it never happened. My cancer was totally removed with my prostate, and all functionality has returned. The recovery was quick and occurred with minimal discomfort. Overall, I was very pleased with the surgery and outcome.-A 10 !
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment was right for you?
My wife and I interviewed a few surgeons and looked at the different procedures. Dr. Anglo was a big part of the decision. He was honest and straighforward, highlighting the pros and cons of the Da Vinci method. We were sold after talking to him.
4. Would you recommend having surgery with the robotic system to future patients
100%, no questions asked.
5. Please comment on your medical team.
See answer to number 3.
K.S., Age 50
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
Excellent
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
10 - Quick recovery, latest technology
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment was right for you?
Advice of doctor and internet research. We connected with and respected Dr. Siddiqui.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
Absolutely
5. Please comment on your robotic team
Donald Torrence, Age 65
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
If I had to do it all over, I would do the Davinci process again. Dr. Siddiqui explained everything about the surgery beforehand and all went very well. Dr. Siddiqui and all the staff were very knowledgeable and polite. Easiest surgery I have ever had.
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
I would have to give it a 10. I had no pain, the recovery time was minimal, and the small incisions are almost invisible now.
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment was right for you?
I didn't want to have major surgery, and I wanted a quick recovery time.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
In my opinion, the Davinci process is the only way to go. I don't know why anyone would want to go through major surgery.
5. Please comment on your robotic team
Doctors, nurses, and everyone at St. John's Hospital were very professional and caring. Thank you all.
Stanley Ballard, Age 61
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
The doctors were very professional in handling my situation. With the fear of cancer, I didn't know what to think. I felt mentally relaxed, which was very important to me. Everything the doctors said would happen, happened.
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
I was totally satisfied with my operation—there was no pain. The only discomfort I had was the tubes attached to my body.
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment was right for you?
I prefer the robotic procedure because of the past experiences of other patients and the pain they went through.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
Yes. It costs more, but it is worth it. I didn't need pain pills days after the operation. Quality of life was important.
5. Please comment on your robotic team
Thomas Martin Age: 52
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
It wasn't bad.
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
10
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment approach was right for you?
My sister is a nurse and she told me about it.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
Yes.
I was up the next day walking. It hurt some, but not bad. I was back to work in one week.
J.L. Age: 21
1. Please comment on your overall robotic surgical experience
Very good. Well informed in the beginning. Surgery was performed to perfection.
2. On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied were you with your outcome?
11
3. How did you come to your decision for which treatment approach was right for you?
Dr. Siddiqui and I discussed our options and it was determined this was the best fit.
4. Would you recommend robotic surgery to future patients?
Absolutely, the recovery time was minimal.
The whole team was excellent, especially Dr. Siddiqui.