What is it Like to Get Robotic Surgery for Ovarian Cancer?
- During robotic surgery, as much of the ovarian cancer as possible will be removed through the vagina
- The remaining cancer that did not appear on a camera is removed through a small, one-inch incision in the abdomen
- The recovery time, on average, is about two weeks, and most women can return to eating as they normally do right away
Every woman’s surgery experience is unqiue, but for women going in for robotic surgery, the general course of preparation tends to follow a similar trajectory. Women are usually advised not to eat or drink anything for six hours before the surgery, says Dr. James Wilder, a gynecologic oncology surgeon with South Texas Gynecologic Oncology in San Antonio Texas, part of the Baptist Health system.
“They may have you take some sips of water with your regular medication that you take, but nothing more than that,” says Dr. Wilder. “If you do that, you’ll be at risk for different problems.”
Then, Dr, Wilder explains, after a patient goes under anesthesia, a robotic surgery will likely follow these steps
- The surgeon will make roughly 4-5 small incisions, with the largest being about an inch and the others being about half an inch
- As much of the ovarian cancer tissue as possible will be removed through the vagina
- The rest will be removed through a small incision in the abdomen, through which the surgeon will also access the area to look for any other cancerous tissue that did not show up on the camera
- The surgeon will close everything up and the patient will be wheeled to the recovery room
Once a woman wakes up from the surgery, Dr. Wilder says, she will be taken to a private room where she’ll spend the night. During this time, doctors and nurses will monitor the woman to make sure she is eating and drinking again and that there are no complications. During this time, a catheter will also remain in her bladder.
In terms of eating after surgery, most women are encouraged to return to a normal diet. In the past, doctors would require women to drink only clear liquids for a while, but this is no longer the case.
In terms of recovery, the experience can differ greatly for each woman, Dr. Wilder says. The average recovery time from a robotic surgery for ovarian cancer is about two weeks.
“But that’s somewhat of a loaded question,” Dr. Wilder says. “Because everybody wants to do something different… and for some, that may be going back to work after two or three days, and for others, it may be two weeks… or it may be six weeks. Some people just want to take off a little extra time and they don’t wanna go right back to work.”
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What is it Like to Get Robotic Surgery for Ovarian Cancer?
- During robotic surgery, as much of the ovarian cancer as possible will be removed through the vagina
- The remaining cancer that did not appear on a camera is removed through a small, one-inch incision in the abdomen
- The recovery time, on average, is about two weeks, and most women can return to eating as they normally do right away
Every woman’s surgery experience is unqiue, but for women going in for robotic surgery, the general course of preparation tends to follow a similar trajectory. Women are usually advised not to eat or drink anything for six hours before the surgery, says
Dr. James Wilder, a gynecologic oncology surgeon with South Texas Gynecologic Oncology in San Antonio Texas, part of the Baptist Health system.
“They may have you take some sips of water with your regular medication that you take, but nothing more than that,” says Dr. Wilder. “If you do that, you’ll be at risk for different problems.”
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Then, Dr, Wilder explains, after a patient goes under anesthesia, a robotic surgery will likely follow these steps
- The surgeon will make roughly 4-5 small incisions, with the largest being about an inch and the others being about half an inch
- As much of the ovarian cancer tissue as possible will be removed through the vagina
- The rest will be removed through a small incision in the abdomen, through which the surgeon will also access the area to look for any other cancerous tissue that did not show up on the camera
- The surgeon will close everything up and the patient will be wheeled to the recovery room
Once a woman wakes up from the surgery, Dr. Wilder says, she will be taken to a private room where she’ll spend the night. During this time, doctors and nurses will monitor the woman to make sure she is eating and drinking again and that there are no complications. During this time, a catheter will also remain in her bladder.
In terms of eating after surgery, most women are encouraged to return to a normal diet. In the past, doctors would require women to drink only clear liquids for a while, but this is no longer the case.
In terms of recovery, the experience can differ greatly for each woman, Dr. Wilder says. The average recovery time from a robotic surgery for ovarian cancer is about two weeks.
“But that’s somewhat of a loaded question,” Dr. Wilder says. “Because everybody wants to do something different… and for some, that may be going back to work after two or three days, and for others, it may be two weeks… or it may be six weeks. Some people just want to take off a little extra time and they don’t wanna go right back to work.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
