robotic assisted myomectomy

Hey all,

I am 29 and have two large (damn grapefruits) fibroids. Definitely want to preserve my fertility. I just heard of this new thing -it was done last year, here's the link to or-live of a video of that robotics myomectomy, warning its graphic but I wasn't as grossed out as I thought i would be http://www.or-live.co...

Mostly its similar to laprascopic removal of the fibroids (incisions are small) difference is the robotic arms are controls by the surgeon from a terminal nearby but these arms have a much better range of movement so the stitches used to repair the uterus are much stronger than a laprascopic procedure.

For me its definitely a good option because the incision is smaller and recovery time is much shorter than an abdominal myomectomy. The robot they use is Da Vinci unfortunately based on my research the only hospital in New York using Da vinci for fibroid removal is Mt Sinai http://www.fibroidcen... a Dr. Ascher-Walsh

Does anyone have experience with that procedure or know of another hospital does that type of surgery?

I just read your message that you sent in October. I was just wondering if you had the myomectomy with use of the robotic arm. I have done some research and was very interested in this procedure also.

I am 40 years-old and have at least 7 good sized fibroids, the largest being at least 7.3 cm and the smallest being the size of a golf ball....uterus size comparable to a 16-18 week pregnancy. I've been dealing this for 4 years now.

In answer to your question, Dr. Michael Pitter at Beth Israel in Newark, NJ performs laparascopic myomectomies with the Da Vinci robotic arm. I am scheduled for surgery in 5 weeks. He's a fantastic doctor and is completely dedicated to preserving fertility. There is no question in my mind that this will be successful and improve my quality of life and my chances of fertility.

I've seen four other doctors in the past year and they all said "wait and see"...no one seemed to care about my concerns about pain, bladder pressure, bowel pressure, or fertility preservation. A couple even suggested a hysterectomy. Ladies, please do yourselves a favor and get second opinions. I spent the last 2+ years being very depressed about this and now I finallly found hope.

I will post again once I've had the surgery and will give as much information as I can. Please note.....Dr. Pitter only had to perform a hysterectomy during fibroid surgery only once and this was b/c the woman was riddled with cervical cancer which ran in her family.

SUCCESS! I wrote about the robotic assisted myomectomy at Newark Beth Israel in NJ. I am 3 weeks post-op and feeling pretty great. I had 9 clusters of fibroids removed...almost 3/4 lb. They were front, back, sides, top, bottom....everywhere!

The surgery took 7 hours (normally only takes 2-3). I still went home the same day though. I had 5 small incisions on my stomach. All but one are smaller than 1/2 inch. They are healing very well and will hardly be noticable. I was up and around pretty well within 2 days. Sleeping was tricky (on my back) for about 10 days, but now I'm fine. I only used pain killers for 3 days.

I highly recommend this surgery. It is less invasive, down-time (away from work) is only 2 weeks. Decent recovery is 4 weeks, with full recovery being 3 months. They can also sew all 3 layers of the uterus, one at a time with the robot, which they can't do by hand. My uterus is completely intact and most of my symptoms are gone. I'm still waiting for the last of the swelling to go down.

The bottom line is, this is the future for myomectomies. As more and more doctors become trained with the Da Vinci robot arm, no one will be performing abdominal myomectomies any longer. As far as I can see, there are no down sides to this procedure.

Ditto to Paige. I had a robotic assisted laproscopic myomectomy on March 6th at Mt. Sinai in NYC. Dr. Ascher-Walsh (212-241-7952) did the surgery---removed 3 fibroids, the biggest of which was the size of a cantaloupe and weighed about a pound. I saw 4 doctors and researched extensively before I settled on Ascher-Walsh and I would highly recommend him! I was back at work after 2 weeks and feeling pretty good. Saw the doctor yesterday and I am healing well and can resume my regular activities. Will head back to my pilates class this Saturday! If you can opt for this procedure, go for it! But, mind you, some doctors will not tell you about this option, particularly if they don't do it and/or have the robot! It's way better than the standard abdominal myomectomy!!

Hi Paige,

I also have one large fibroid about the size of an orange and will be having robotic assisted laproscopic myomectomy on November 21st in Orlando, Florida. I have heard wonderful things about my doctor, but I am still a little freaked out. I 'm glad to hear that you're doing well. It gives me hope! :)

Edie

Hi everybody,
I'm trying to find a good doctor in New York who can perform the robotic laproscopic myomectomy. I saw Ascher-Walsh posted and I was wondering if anyone else had been to him. I was trying to go see Schattman, who is supposed to be very good, but he does not except insurance. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I am in the process of deciding between the traditional myomectomy and the robotic assisted one. It doesnt seem to make much sense to me to opt for the regular myomectomy when I have the option of no hospital stay (not to mention a catheter) and a shorter recovery time. I too, saw Dr. Pitter at Newark Beth Israel and am pretty sure that I am going to go with him and schedule my surgery in June 2008. He spent a lot of time speaking with me, explaining the process and did seem to genuinely care about preserving my fertility and doing whats best for me.

By the way, one of the doctors that I saw (Dr. Qisam in Edison, NJ) told me that I was not a candidate for the robotic laproscopic myomectomy (due to the size of my fibroids - the largest being about 8 cm). However, after conducting my own research I found that I am still a candidate.

Any advice, words of wisdom, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am rather nervous and needless to say, certainly not looking forward to June.

(It's nice to know that I can communicate with others who are or have been in my situation!!)

Tia,

Yes you are a candidate. If it makes you feel any better. I just had my one year check up with Dr. Pitter and he was very pleased to say that I have perfectly sized uterus again and am fibroid free. All in all, I was back to full health after about a month and promptly lost about 10 lbs. My scars are fading quickly as well. This option is by far the better choice rather than the traditional surgery. Good luck in June. You won't be disappointed with Dr. Pitter or the hospital. I've had many surgeries for a variety of things (unrelated to fibroids) and this was by far the best I was ever treated.

Paige