Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>> Most of the procedures that we do in a minimally-invasive technique,
whether it be hernia repair or a gastric bypass procedure, or an operation for a reflux disease,
we use anywhere from three to five or six little incisions, about five millimeters
to a centimeter, and I contrast
that with traditional what we call an open surgical approach, which is the standard,
you know, ten to twenty centimeter incision, which allows surgeons
to perform the same operations in an open fashion, but I think typically results
in more discomfort, less mobility, and a slower return to work.
So by using the smaller incisions and the laparoscopic instruments,
I think the patient's able to recover quickly and get back to their baseline status.
First thing I try to do is establish, you know, a rapport with the patient so they know that I'm
on their side, and that I'm going to do everything I can to help them feel better.
And so, initially, it's really just about getting to know the patients and getting
to know what their expectations are regarding surgery.
So a common scenario is a patient comes in with a hernia that may be mildly symptomatic,
and they may or may not want surgical repair.
They may or may not feel that it's necessary, and so I try to explain
to them what the benefits of surgery versus the risks, and I want to make sure
that before any patient decides to pursue surgical intervention that they understand both
of those things well because the last thing I want is somebody to go
through a surgical procedure and then be unhappy with, you know, the outcome.