Would love to hear feedback on robotic surgery for resection

[Ginamackeyhawk14]

I am currently scheduled for surgery next Thursday. My surgeon originally told me that she would do an open incision surgery. She has now told me that she plans on doing it robotic. Which scares me to death! The reason being....I have 3 or 4 partial blockages. Plus 3 suspiciously angry/ inflamed areas of Crohn's. My concern is that is an awful lot of intestine to go through. How in the world can it the better decision to go with robot? The hands, arms, implements..... Whatever you want to call them....do not have the same sensation of actually feeling or touching/handling the intestine. I know that the recovery time is a lot less with robotic. And that's all fine, great and wonderful! But I would much rather have open incision and my surgeon get her hands in there and FEEL the areas! Take out what needs to be taken out and leave what needs to be left.

Is there anyone out here that has any experience with robotic surgery? Pros/cons?? I'm really scared! I'm a single mother of 3 children. They have never seen me this sick before. They are grieving and scared, as well! I can't help them understand about this robotic surgery, because I don't understand it myself. I need some input from some of you that are experienced....please!
I want to be able to reassure my babies, with confidence in my voice and eyes that this robotic surgery will ( hopefully) be successful!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Crohnsmomof3]

I just had a small bowel resection last week due to a stricture (due to scar tissue) in my TI. It was laparoscopic. My surgeon, during the surgery found another area further up in the small bowel that was also strictured. So this area was removed as well. I had about a total of 100cm removed in two different areas. Most of this was from my TI.

He explained to me that during this type of surgery he looks through everything to see if there is any more diseased bowel. So, I am assuming that they are very thorough. It might actually be easier to look through the bowel and see the areas using robotic surgery. I do understand the feel you are talking about because I was wondering about that myself. However, from my experience it seems likely that they will find all that they need through the robotic method.

As for recovery, be thankful it is not open. I just got home from the hospital yesterday from my laparoscopic proceedure and I am beat! I am married with three young boys. So being a single mom a quicker recovery will important. I would also recommend to find help when you return. My parents took my two littlest today to give me a break, my oldest in in school.

It is hard to be strong in front of your kids, I told my boys that the doctors were going to take out the bad stuff so that I can be well again. I was really sick going in as well. This way seemed to work in explaining it to them. Now in coming home, I look sicker (to them) than when I went. So, I again had to explain that the bad is out but now I have to gets better from the surgery and cuts involved.

Please let me know if you want any more information about my surgery please let me know.

 

[Ginamackeyhawk14]

Thank you for responding! This makes me feel a lot better! This will be my 3rd resection (1990 & 96) they were open incisions. And I pretty much knew what to expect if they were to do open. But SO MANY things have changed since 1996! I'm not even having to do a bowel prep!?!? I trust that I am in the best hands and they know exactly what they are doing!
I also have a great support system with my parents, sister and friends! I don't know what I would do without them! They help explain to my children that they have seen me really sick like this before and that I wouldn't be long before I would be my old self again. And let me tell you....I CAN NOT WAIT TO FEEL GOOD!!! So tired of being sick and dependent on others!
Glad you're on the mend! I will be sure and post and keep you informed as to how I do with the robot thanks, again!

 

[Crohnsmomof3]

Wow! Two resections already. My hat goes off to you in healing from two open surgeries. I am sure all will go fine. I hope the healing is easier than what you were used to from the previous ones.

I did do a bowel prep for mine, but I have heard others who have not. I guess be thankful for that too, the prep is not fun (as I am sure you know).

I am really thankful to all the support I am getting as well. I struggle with keeping on top of things, so I am glad to have help. My kids are 7,4 and 2 (all boys). So they are a bundle of energy. I am glad to have help with them for a while!

Please do keep me informed about your surgery. I will keep you and your kids in my prayers before and after the surgery.

 

[Ginamackeyhawk14]

Well....Crohnsmomof 3, I hope you don't feel mislead, but my babies are 20, 17 and 15. But regardless of their age, I still call and consider them my babies!!! They are all still at home with me. So they have witnessed the ugliness of this disease. The camping out on the toilet, while throwing my guts up in a garbage can, all at the same time. Being so weak and not being able to walk (most of the time) without assistance! And the constant fatigue and sleeping most of the days away! They're old enough to get on the internet and try to research my disease, which is not a good thing, cause most of what they read or hear are horror stories, Which scares them th to death! I think they're afraid they will lose me! I have been in total remission for the past 18 or so years, up unto till 6 months ago. So they honestly have never seen me sick! I have thought about it....and it might have been a lot easier if my kids were your kids age!!

And WOW!!! It is so strange that I do not have to do a bowel prep! When they told me that....I had to make them repeat themselves, twice!!! Lol! I wasn't about to argue with the professionals!
So many things have changed since I last had surgery! I guess it's the unfamiliar and the unknown that's scaring me too death!
I will most definitely keep in touch and let you know how everything goes! Please remember to keep me in your prayers and I will so the same for you!

Thank you!!
Gina

 

[Crohnsmomof3]

Not mislead in the least, kids are kids. And you are right in some ways it is harder, having to actually explain what is going on. I got away with "mommy has a boo boo in her tummy and they are going to fix it." So, for sure in that area you have a lot more to deal with/answer to your kids. Just be honest with them and hopefully they will not be too scared for you.

My two older children are pretty easy, it's my youngest. He is two and I cannot lift him. This for me is the hardest part, because he doesn't understand at all. Besides that, things aren't so bad. Although, I am still in pain and get tired really easy!

I am sure all will go fine. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. This is a hard surgery to go through, emotionally and physically. Thanks again!