Benefits of Medical Robots in Bariatric Surgery
It is hard to believe that medical robots have been used for over twenty years. From assisting doctors during operations to dispensing medication and disinfecting hospital rooms, robots are transforming the healthcare industry. Weight loss surgery is on the rise in the US and medical robots are helping surgeons to perform more complex and technically demanding procedures on a daily basis.
New Healthcare Employees – Medical robots
The first robotic procedure, performed on a patient in 1999, involved a gastric lap band. Since then, the instruments used during an operation like this have improved, making it superior to laparoscopic bariatric surgery.
In fact, it is estimated that in the next 10 years, the vast majority of all surgical procedures will be completed with the help of medical robots. Let’s explore why medical robots are beneficial during surgery and weight loss procedures.
The da Vinci Surgical Robot – Medical roBOTS
The da Vinci medical robot is radically changing the way surgeons perform bariatric procedures in the United States. This new colleague plays a vital role in assisting the surgeon during the complex weight loss operation. Using magnified 3D high-definition vision and the ability to make precise and small incisions, the medical robot is making bariatric surgery better for both surgeons and patients. The da Vinci system can also improve surgery outcomes. A robot-assisted procedure can reduce the likelihood of complications during the operation and post-surgery. In the Denver area, the majority of bariatric surgeons now use the da Vinci medical robot for some or all of their weight loss procedures.
Advantages of Robots in the Medical Industry
Weight loss surgery is one of the most transformative procedures to date. It helps patients dramatically improve their life expectancy and quality of life. With any surgeon, there are associated risks, but medical robots can make operations safer and more precise. Let’s take an in-depth look into how medical robots are helping weight loss surgeons in the United States.
3D High Definition Image of Patient
A medical robot can provide a surgeon with a 3D high-definition image of a patient in real-time. This image is magnified to allow the surgeon to work with incredible precision. The robot gives the operating surgeon greater detail and depth while carrying out a highly complex medical procedure. It allows the doctor to see the separation between the stomach and the liver or spleen, resulting in less trauma to these organs and, consequently, less bleeding. The 3D pictures a medical robot provides of a patient’s body to a surgeon significantly prevent medical mistakes, as the surgeon can see far more clearly than ever before.
Precision During an Operation
A medical robot can improve a weight loss operation by guiding the surgeon. The robot provides smooth precise movement of the instruments. The instruments move like a hand, with fingers, and give the surgeon the ability to place sutures in the right place effortlessly. The robotic stapler can also measure the thickness of the stomach and will only fire if the surgeon has the correct staples for the stomach thickness. This prevents any human error. In contrast, during laparoscopic procedures, the operating surgeon goes by what has worked in the past.
Minimal Bleeding
The robotic electrocautery devices used during weight loss surgery provide feedback to the surgeon. They tell the surgeon when it is safe to cut blood vessels, which results in less bleeding. To illustrate this, watch the YouTube video below. Thanks to the use of medical robots, there is minimal blood loss during the procedure.
Minimum Pain Post Weight Loss Surgery
Medical robots help to prevent pain. The staples articulate to fit the tissue, as do the other instruments used robotically. This leads to less trauma to the tissues which results in less pain. Personally, we find that pain is not an issue for our patients, with 40% not needing any opioid prescriptions post-operation. This is very important for patients as opioid medication can be very addictive.
Fast Weight Loss Recovery
Operations that use medical robots often result in short hospital stays after surgery. Recent studies suggest that a shorter hospital stay is associated with robotic bariatric surgery. In our experience, 80% of our patients return home a day after undergoing weight loss surgery. Thanks to the use of medical robots during surgery, 100% of our patients leave the hospital after 48 hours.
Weight Loss Surgery With Medical Robots – Is It Right For Me?
If you are considering life-changing weight loss surgery, you should choose robotic bariatric surgery. You may wish to ask the following questions before making a final decision.
- Which robotic bariatric procedure is the best one for me?
- Are you comfortable performing my procedure robotically?
- Can you tell me about your training and experience with the robot?
- How many cases have you done, and what are your patient outcomes with the robot?
These questions are quite common when it comes to patients choosing the right type of weight loss surgery. You should never be shy or embarrassed to ask your doctor a question about an upcoming surgery or his professional experience. You are responsible for your personal wellbeing and health so ask as many questions as you need to, in order to feel more comfortable and to make a final decision. Find out more about medical robots in bariatric surgery here.
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