James
“Doug” Woods knows a
thing or two about precision ma-
chinery. A retired heavy-duty truck
mechanic and lifelong motorcycle
enthusiast, he’s spent countless
hours rebuilding complicated
engines. So it’s not surprising that
precision was a factor in his choos-
ing da Vinci robotic surgery to treat
his prostate cancer.
Choosingprecision
When a biopsy con rmed that
Doug had cancer, his urologist,
Patrick Fowler, MD,
outlined the
treatment options, including da
Vinci surgery, which Dr. Fowler
considered a good option for Doug.
When Doug watched a DVD of the
da Vinci procedure, his mechanic’s
eye was impressed.
Going robotic
Machinist DougWoods trusted
da Vinci® robotic technology for his prostate surgery
“The precision of the instruments
was awesome,” he says. Doug was
convinced—but a friend who’d
previously had traditional surgery
for prostate cancer questioned
whether the da Vinci could look
inside the surgical site as well as
doctors could with the naked eye.
Doug soon found out that the da
Vinci actually enhances what physi-
cians can see.
In fact, da Vinci technology gives
surgeons a high-de nition, 3-D
view inside the body—at up to ten
times its actual size. Not only is the
viewmagni ed, but the instru-
ments also are more exible than a
human hand. And da Vinci surgery
can result in less blood loss—and
less pain—than with traditional
surgery.
HIGH-TECH OPTIONS
Dr. Fowler’s partner, urologist
P.Tryg
Stratte, MD,
performed Doug’s
procedure. “With da Vinci robotics,
we can perform entire procedures
through incisions about the size of
a dime,” says Dr. Stratte. “For the
surgeon, this means an extremely
high level of precision. For the pa-
tient, it means a faster return to
everyday activities. That’s awin-win.”
Recoveringandenjoying life
Doug underwent his prostatectomy
on Oct. 2, 2013, and went home two
days later. Soon, he was out walk-
ing his dogs, Lambie and Sophie,
and taking short motorcycle rides.
“Once I came home, I didn’t
need any pain medicine,” he says.
Doug’s friend, meanwhile, had
required heavy pain medication
after his surgery. “He’s a tough
guy, but he said he was in a lot of
pain afterward.”
“My recovery has gone better than
I ever hoped. I can’t say enough
about both of my doctors.”
Doug Woods couldn’t wait to
get on the road again—and
thanks to da Vinci surgery, he
didn’t have to wait long.
Find out if da Vinci robotic surgery
is an option for you. For more information
or a referral, call Mercy Medical Center
Redding:
888.628.1948
.
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