Robotic Surgery Anyone?

OK, who's had their procedure done via robotics?  My surgeon just called to ask if I'd be willing to have my RNY done this way on Monday.  He said he is  trained in this and feels confident with it.  He's done 1 other, so I'd be the 2nd one at this hospital.  I agreed, but he said I can change my mind on Monday (surgery day) if I want and we can talk more about it then too.  Any thoughts or experiences?  He said there really are no down sides, but he didn't say much of any advantages either?  What do you think?

This question made me feel like a crappy patient, because I HAVE NO IDEA!!! HA HA LOL.... i know it was done laparoscopically, but beyond that, i'm not sure if my surgeon's hands were guiding the tools or if there was a robotic arm. I guess I never thought to ask, but I assumed he knew what he was doing and I was in good hands (whether they were human or not!). 

With yours telling you that you'd only be his second, I could see where that would be scary! Good luck to you in whatever you decide! 

My surgeon gave a talk on new techniques, including the robot. He was fairly dismissive. He was pretty adamant that the robot was not going to do a better job than a good surgeon, and he didn't consider it at all necessary. The primary impetus seemed to be to get enough use from the machines to justify their high cost to hospiral administrators. But, he also did not say there was anything wrong with having the robot.

Saw this on the main page, thought it might help you. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/can-robotics-transform-bariatric-surgery

Thank you for posting the link. I am having the da Vinci robotic procedure on 3/1/16 and that article helped me to realize I had made the right decision. 

I schedule Robotic surgeries for a head and neck cancer doctor. What I have been told about having surgery done with a Robot is that there is less damage to surrounding tissue. Granted we are working on a totally different area of the body. 

If he has only done 1 other surgery with the Robot I would ask him if he will have a mentor with him. At least at my facility, our Surgeons have to have a mentor (someone who is well versed in Robotic cases) present for at least 15-20 procedures, before they are allowed to do them on their own.

Is this a Teaching hospital?

Thanks - this is great info.  Yes, it is a teaching hospital.

He probably is using you for a teaching case. Good experience and all that. I wouldn't be worried.

The surgeon is controlling the robotic arms.  The surgeon says he is comfortable with that.  I would be too.

Mine was robotic. It made no difference at all. It was no problem.