After dealing with severe pain in her abdomen and painful periods for many years, Dawn Sampson is now feeling much better after her recent hysterectomy.
“The pain in my abdomen, especially in the right side was so painful all the time. It’s gone, I have no more pain,” said Sampson.
She had first tried other treatment options without much success.
“She would get temporary relief for her bleeding but her condition recurred and she felt like it was negatively impacting her quality of life. And then she was having pain with periods, she was having to take Tylenol and ibuprofen scheduled, it still wasn’t giving her the relief she wanted,” said Avera OB/GYN in Mitchell, Dalton Baird, MD.
She eventually met Dr. Baird, an who recommended surgery.
“We planned to do a robotic assisted hysterectomy,” said Baird.
The robotic assisted technology is a newer addition to the Mitchell region.
Benefits to Patients
“To me having the robot is huge. It allows you to do significantly more complex cases while staying laparoscopic. Previously patients would have to have an incision like a C-section or a vertical incision, a lot of those we are able to do laparoscopically now with three small incisions,” said Baird.
That means the procedure is less invasive and patients can have quicker recovery time.
“My recovery was a piece of cake, I just couldn’t lift heavy objects,” said Sampson.
Pain Free After Surgery
Dawn is feeling so much better, she’s even made positive lifestyle changes post-surgery.
“Feeling so wonderful, I have since started a diet and exercise program, I’ve lost 19 pounds,” said Sampson.
An addition that is a win-win for patients and physicians.
“Getting that level of care, not having to travel to a bigger center to get robotic surgery for more complicated cases and being able to complete those surgeries closer to home in the same day, this is just one of many who I’ve been able to operate on and see really positive outcomes,” said Baird.
“I had more energy, without the pain, you just have more energy,” said Sampson.
Dawn also had a vaginal prolapse repair at the same time as the hysterectomy, which has also had a positive impact on her quality of life.
This technology is available in many locations across the Avera footprint. A hysterectomy is just one of procedures that the robot is used for.
Learn more about women’s care at Avera.
