"I would champion robot assisted surgery"

I was diagnosed with endometriosis in Jan 2023. I was referred to gynae and seen in November 2023 and referred for an MRI in December where endometriosis, adenomyosis were confirmed there was also an area of suspicion which was discussed with the MDT team on 3 Jan 2024.

I went under the care of Dr ragupathy. She is amazing. She fully explained everything including the possibility of fallopian cancer along with possible risks and I was scheduled for a robot assisted hysterectomy, removal of tubes, ovaries and biopsy of omentum on 7 Feb 2024.

On the day of surgery I met the whole team and was amazed at the size of the team involved in looking after me. Dr ragupathy has the best manner and is so professional and the anaesthetic team were so reassuring especially Mark.

I was operated on for over 5 hours as there were complexities during the surgery as the endometriosis had wrapped around my bladder and bowel and needed to be unpicked. Within 2 hours of surgery I was sitting up in the ward and already amazed at how my pain was less after surgery than what I had been experiencing pre surgery.

8 hours later I was able to walk around the ward and was discharged the following lunchtime. My pain relief was paracetamol and within 4 days I didn't even feel that I needed to continue with paracetamol as the pain had gone. I think from surgery I had no more than 20 paracetamol and ended up only using them when I was doing my fragmin injections.

I was surprised at how good I felt following such a major operation and 2 weeks later felt fully fit, back walking each day and driving again. I know this operation would not have been possible if it was not for the robot part of the surgery as I'm not sure humans would have been able to untangle everything for 5 hours.

My biopsy came back all clear and I honestly feel like I have a new pain free life. I would champion robot assisted surgery for keyhole procedures.

I know due to there only being one robot at the moment the amount of people who can be helped is limited I would highly recommend a second robot as the recovery compared to previous gynaecological procedures is night and day my work are delighted that I have recovered so quickly and am returning fighting fit soon but personally the way I feel after this surgery is the best part.

My friends and family were amazed that the day after a full hysterectomy I was walking about with only 5 little scars. Just an amazing experience which has given me my life back.