Robotic surgery for RCC

keithhubbert
keithhubbert Member Posts: 14

I found out six weeks ago when I had a colonopscopy , that they found a tumor on the bottom of my left kidney.Then lots more test, ultasound, ct scan with contrast, then a biopsy, It"s 3.4 cm by 2.7. They say I am lucky as I had no signs and it is cancerous. May 29th I get my surgery using the da vinci robotic machine at the VA hospital in long beach. They will perform a partial nephrectomy ,I have read some good and bad on this machine. I sure hope the doctor has alot of experiance, I would like to say I"m not scared, but that would be a lie. Fingers and toes are crossed, wish me luck! :)

Comments

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    It will be OK

    as long as R2D2 doesn't do it.

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    Da Vinci Robotic Surgery

    Hi Keith,

    I had the robotic surgery about six weeks ago, I had no problems at all, also very little blood loss. My surgeon had ten years experience with this equipment, are you unable to gain any information about your surgeon from the hospital or Internet? It would certainly help to put your mind at rest. I know from information available in Europe that the bad press about the use of De Vinci, is not down to the equipment.

    They say the left kidney is easier to operate on, there are less organs in the way and also with the tumour being at the bottom or top of the kidney less complicated. Mine was at the top of the right. It is very daunting going through an operation, we were all feeling like you before hand, but you will do fine. It will be just a matter of weeks before you are back on here telling us all about it.

    All the best

     

     

    Djinnie

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    Djinnie said:

    Da Vinci Robotic Surgery

    Hi Keith,

    I had the robotic surgery about six weeks ago, I had no problems at all, also very little blood loss. My surgeon had ten years experience with this equipment, are you unable to gain any information about your surgeon from the hospital or Internet? It would certainly help to put your mind at rest. I know from information available in Europe that the bad press about the use of De Vinci, is not down to the equipment.

    They say the left kidney is easier to operate on, there are less organs in the way and also with the tumour being at the bottom or top of the kidney less complicated. Mine was at the top of the right. It is very daunting going through an operation, we were all feeling like you before hand, but you will do fine. It will be just a matter of weeks before you are back on here telling us all about it.

    All the best

     

     

    Djinnie

    Di Vinci

    Keith,

     

    Mine was so long ago they did not have the Di Viniece machine, but they did have elecricity.

    No surgery is fun.  Unfortunately having major surgery after the little buggar for RCC is discvnered

    is not fun, but it is better than the alternative.

     

    Icemantoo

  • Sable2900
    Sable2900 Member Posts: 29
    I had this surgery on April

    I had this surgery on April 11th.  I was surprised at how little pain there was afterward.  I had a complication but everything worked out fine.  Good luck to you and the anticipation is worse than the actual surgery.

  • MDCinSC
    MDCinSC Member Posts: 574
    Sable2900 said:

    I had this surgery on April

    I had this surgery on April 11th.  I was surprised at how little pain there was afterward.  I had a complication but everything worked out fine.  Good luck to you and the anticipation is worse than the actual surgery.

    Mine was at the VA in Augusta GA

    On this past Tuesday! It went "swimmingly!" Leonardo performed as expected!, aside from a little blister or two! Hardly noticeable!

  • keithhubbert
    keithhubbert Member Posts: 14
    Front or back

    They still have not told me if there going to operate on me through the front or back yet. My tumor is on the back side of my lower left kidney, They told me the front would have more room when they put the balloon in your belly  to expand it. push the intestins off to the side but still might not be able to see it well. As the back there is not as much room to work with but the view could be better. I was told the doctor will make the decision on the day of surgery which is May 29th, they said when I wake up I will have morphine and a button to medicate myself, I like watching jeopardy so I will probly buzz in alot with an answer. lol, This is consuming my mind everyday where its hard to think about anything else.

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member

    Front or back

    They still have not told me if there going to operate on me through the front or back yet. My tumor is on the back side of my lower left kidney, They told me the front would have more room when they put the balloon in your belly  to expand it. push the intestins off to the side but still might not be able to see it well. As the back there is not as much room to work with but the view could be better. I was told the doctor will make the decision on the day of surgery which is May 29th, they said when I wake up I will have morphine and a button to medicate myself, I like watching jeopardy so I will probly buzz in alot with an answer. lol, This is consuming my mind everyday where its hard to think about anything else.

    Front to Back

    Hi Keith,

    It is only natural to be consumed by this news, it is a terrific shock to the system. Your mind will just go over and over it because it is difficult news to get your head around. It is obviously a scary situation to be in, but the good thing is that it was discovered in time. Any worries or fears that you have, there are plenty of people on here to help and support you through it. We have all been there so there is a wealth of experience on this site for you to tap into.

    Djinnie

  • keithhubbert
    keithhubbert Member Posts: 14
    Djinnie said:

    Front to Back

    Hi Keith,

    It is only natural to be consumed by this news, it is a terrific shock to the system. Your mind will just go over and over it because it is difficult news to get your head around. It is obviously a scary situation to be in, but the good thing is that it was discovered in time. Any worries or fears that you have, there are plenty of people on here to help and support you through it. We have all been there so there is a wealth of experience on this site for you to tap into.

    Djinnie

    Thank you so much !  
     

    Thank you so much !  

     

  • alice124
    alice124 Member Posts: 896 Member
    Robotic Surgery - Cost vs. Benefits???

    Know this topic has come up before. Interesting  Medscape Report to add to thread.

     

    http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/robotic-surgery?src=wnl_edit_specol&uac=176682BT

  • jknorth
    jknorth Member Posts: 44
    Had the same operation.

    May 17th had the Da Vinci do exactly what this is, the lower left kidney for like a 2x2cm mass. Still have 5 half inch scars that are very noticable on the left front stomach area, was told a year for better healing scars, and the stay was 2 nights then home. Surgeon said I was his 30th robotic, he did it fine. Whatever it cost them I do not care, feds crooks in canada go on vacations with my tax money 10 times a year. They still owe me.

  • izzycohen
    izzycohen Member Posts: 80
    Da Vinci surgery

    I had a radical left nephrectomy on 7/31.  The Da Vinci robot was used.  Surgery went well.  I pray I never have to do it again, but would recommend it.  I think the issue is the surgeon operating the robot more so than the robot itself.