FAQ: Robotic Weight Loss Surgery
Treatments
Robotic weight loss surgery is a minimally-invasive surgery option for bariatric patients. This surgery method allows surgeons a greater range of motion and to perform surgeons through smaller incisions. Overall, this surgery method leads to quicker recovery time for patients and less cosmetic scarring.
How does robotic surgery work?
Surgeons work from a computer console at the patient’s bedside. This computer console allows them to better control the small medical instruments that will be used during the weight loss surgery operation. These instruments are mounted on three robot arms. A fourth robotic arm has a 3D camera that helps amplify the surgery site for doctors. During the surgery, the doctor is in complete control of all the instruments used and performs the surgery as normal. The robotic instruments simply allow for greater motion and the doctor to be more precise.
Misconceptions about robotic weight loss surgery?
People often believe that robotic surgery is conducted solely by a robot. This is not the case. In fact, surgeons are controlling the robot themselves. The robotics only allows surgeons a greater range of motion than performing surgeon with traditional methods. Furthermore, the instruments surgeons use are smaller in robotic surgery allowing for the surgery to be minimally invasive.
Benefits of robotic surgery for surgeons
A surgeon may opt for robotic surgery to increase visualization, enhance dexterity and provide greater precision. As mentioned, some da Vinci surgery systems provide surgeons with a 3D view. This gives them more information and more control during the operation. Also, robotics allows for a greater range of motion in surgeons helping them achieve difficult movement during surgery with ease. Robotic weight loss surgery achieves greater precision among surgeons because they have a wider range of motion and a bigger field of vision thanks to the robotic tools.
Benefits of robotic surgery for patients
Ideally, surgeons use smaller incisions to decrease the chance of infection and allow patients to return to their daily lives. Robotic surgery has been effective and shortened hospital stays in bariatric patients. Minimally invasive surgeries also reduce pain and discomfort in patients due to the smaller incision site. During surgery, there are also fewer blood transfusions because of reduced blood loss. Finally, patients are happy with the other cosmetic appearance of smaller incision scars. Since incision sites are so small there is minimal scarring in bariatric patients.