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Experiences with robotic surgery for proctectomy

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(@dutchozzie)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 14
Topic starter  

Less than a week until my stump removal. My surgeon (who did my ileostomy as well) specialises in colorectal surgery and is planning on performing a robotic proctectomy. My understanding is that this a type of key-hole surgery in which he 'remotely' (from a meter away) performs the surgery. The acclaimed benefit is reduced nerve damage risk.

I obviously read Eric's not-so-great journey but that seems to have been a different kind of procedure. Anybody who can share their experience with a (robotic) key-hole proctectomy? How long until you could sit normally and ride (motor)bike?


   
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glenn.giroir
(@glenn-giroir)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 298
 

In December of 2019 I had a proctocollectomy which was mostly done by robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.  My surgeon had to remove the rectum by open incision because there was not much working room for the robot down there, as he put it.  I had no complications, and the anal closure was healed within 6 weeks.  I really never did have pain down there.  The wound weeped for about 6 weeks, most just after the surgery and then getting less and less until complete healing.  My experience was very good.  Best wishes on your procedure.      

Ulcerative Colitis (1995)
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.


   
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(@dutchozzie)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 14
Topic starter  

@glenn-giroir Thanks for the quick reply and that's great to hear. I'll share my experience here, over the next couple of weeks - hopefully as positive as yours.


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 11 years ago
Posts: 4372
 

Thanks for sharing your experiences, @jeff and @glenn-giroir. 

I've only heard good things about robot-assisted surgery, and it sounds like that holds true.

I'd be really interested in hearing how it goes for you @dutchozzie. Best of luck!

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@madrad)
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 10
 

@glenn-giroir My ileostomy was laparoscopic & proctectomy(16 mos. later) by hand.  Robotic surgery heals better/faster, but is much longer.  I agree with Eric.  Proctectomy healing takes from 6 wks to 2 years.  Nine mths later, I still get a bit of drainage.  Avoid bumpy rides & use a cushion, all the time.  Roho is the best, but $.  Drainage & discomfort will be your companion when you push it.  I have an acreage & miss riding my Deere, sigh.  When I hike, I have a roll of bubble plastic in my fanny pack for sitting.  Found the 2" bubble works best.  Good luck, you can do it!


   
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(@dutchozzie)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 14
Topic starter  

Thank you all for your feedback. It's now day 3 post-op and I'm still in hospital. I went in on Mon morning and the procedure took just under 5 hours. Longer than I thought but I wasn't watching the clock :-D  

The first 2 days have been a bit of blur with me mostly sleeping and luckily without any pain. I have mild discomfort at best at my bottom and the 4 ports/holes in my abdomen are the most sore. I can walk relatively easily and lay on my back or side without pain. Sitting is still uncomfortable but not really painful. 

I'm on 1 slow release pain killer in the morning and in the evening, nothing else. Very different from Colitis days. 

The wound drain was removed today and I only have a catheter which will hopefully come out tomorrow before I go home. 

I'll post an update in the next week or so.

Friendly greetings from Down Under (that all of a sudden has a different annotation) 


   
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(@dutchozzie)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 14
Topic starter  

Yesterday was 3 weeks post op. I was discharged 5 days post surgery and a little earlier than original planned, mainly because the recovery was going well. Having been home now for 2 weeks, things have improved on a daily basis. Sitting was never a problem but the only annoyance was the sutures sometimes sticking like little needles in the wound. These have now pretty much dissolved and I can sit normal with little to no discomfort. All in all a better recovery than I anticipated.

In 6 weeks next surgery to fix my parastomal hernia. From what the surgeon mentioned, a less invasive procedure but potentially more painful recovery due to the internal stitching of the abdominal muscles. Hopefully done with surgery after this for the foreseeable future.


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2058
 

Hi Dutchozzie, Sounds like you are making your way back to normal, All the best with recovery and the rest of the procedures 

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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glenn.giroir
(@glenn-giroir)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 298
 

@dutchozzie

Thanks for the update.  Glad to hear that the recovery is going well!

Glenn

Ulcerative Colitis (1995)
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.


   
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