"The robot assisted surgery felt like living in the future"

Firstly, I would like to thank Dr Ragupathy and the team at Ward 36 for the care I received prior and during my admission for my Daycase Robot Assisted Total Hysterectomy. 

As a trans man, gynaecology is not a particularly comfortable area of medicine for me. After my screening and subsequent biopsy revealed high grade CIN, I was grateful for the option of having my reproductive organs removed rather than undergoing conservative surgical treatment and enhanced screening (having already had a run of abnormal results). 

The team at Ninewells ensured both my comfort and that of the other patients by arranging a side room on the ward. I arrived for the morning list at 07:30, met with Dr Ragupathy and Dr Campbell (anaesthetist) and was taken to theatre around 12:00. I was anaesthetised in the actual theatre room (helpful for getting into the correct position on the gel mat) and had the opportunity to meet the team as I was prepped, it was all very interesting (incl. the nerve stimulating glove!). I woke up in recovery around 15:45. 

I was able to mobilise within an hour or so of waking up and pain was well-controlled with 1 tramadol and paracetamol. The nursing care was excellent and my needs were responded to quickly regardless of who answered (I even was scolded for not calling sooner when I finished my water).

Same day discharge was confirmed once I was able to demonstrate normal-ish bladder function (~19:00), and was able to get home around 22:30.  I was so happy to sleep in the comfort of my own bed and Dr Ragupathy checked in with me the next morning. I was pain-free in ~48 hours and have continued to recover at home with some limits in mobility, bloating, and pelvic nerves settling down.

The robot assisted surgery felt like living in the future. The wounds are/were tiny, requiring no additional dressing or care from me. I was able to get up and move around immediately, walking out of the ward 6 hours after waking up in recovery (if a bit slow and bloated). I hope more patients can benefit from this fantastic technique!