Jim talks about his robotic prostate surgery at Ohio State
Jim, 57, is Health Commissioner for Miami County Health District, and he had robotic prostate surgery at Ohio State. On his annual visit to his personal physician, his doctor noticed an abnormality during a routine digital rectal exam, so he referred Jim to a urologist for a biopsy. When the results came back, Jim learned that he had prostate cancer.
As he weighed his treatment options, Jim worried about possible side effects. His father had been treated for prostate cancer and suffered two debilitating side effects: impotence and incontinence. These caused his father considerable depression, so Jim was determined to find the most sophisticated treatment available with lower risk of impotence and incontinence.
“Being 56 years old at the time, I wasn’t ready to face either one of those things.”
- Jim
After researching his options online, he decided on robotic surgery because it is less invasive than traditional surgery. The recovery is faster and easier, his scars would be smaller, and the risk of incontinence and impotence is reduced. The next step was to choose where to get his surgery done.
A quick online search informed him that nearly 100 surgeons within three hours of his home were certified to perform robotic prostatectomy, so he started reading about specific hospital systems and surgeons. He wanted to make sure he saw the best surgeon he could find.
“Just because you have a set a golf clubs doesn’t mean you’re ready to give up your day job and go for the PGA. That’s just how it is with this machine―it still takes a person that’s an artist to come out with a good result.” - Jim
Jim learned through his research that Ohio State’s Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery offers the highest level of robotic surgery expertise. He also discovered that Ohio State offers a comprehensive recovery program to help reduce side effects, including an erectile dysfunction clinic available to all robotic prostatectomy patients. After reading about Ohio State’s expertise, and having a consultation with urologist Dr. Ronney Abaza, Co-Director of the OSU program, and whose practice is completely dedicated to robotic urologic surgery, Jim decided to go to Ohio State for his robotic prostatectomy.
Jim was up and walking around a matter of hours after his surgery and then discharged the next day. Aside from some bruising and the minor discomfort of a catheter, which was removed a week later, Jim felt great, and only missed seven days of work. He was given a prescription for painkillers, but he didn’t end up needing them.
“I didn’t take any of it because I wasn’t experiencing any pain.” - Jim
Today, Jim is fully returned to normal function. He is cancer free, and never suffered from any of the side effects his father experienced. And not only has his recovery been complete, his scars are incredibly small.
“If you were to look at me today, you probably couldn’t tell where the incisions were.” - Jim
He is extremely pleased about the treatment he received at Ohio State, and would recommend it to anyone seeking care for prostate cancer.
“I felt that I had the best surgeons that are out there. The proof is in the outcomes…”
- Jim
