Surgery

[Mark J]

Back in 2016 I had heart surgery done on a Da Vinci (aka total endoscopic coronary artery bypass) at the University of Chicago.

[drzaius]

Pretty amazing, hearing of real people's experience with it. Recovery would certainly be better. I kinda regret not waiting for the robotic surgery, but the cancer was quite aggressive and I was in this headspace where I just wanted the thing gone. 

[curlyoak]

On 4/19/2025 at 9:30 AM, Mark J said:

Back in 2016 I had heart surgery done on a Da Vinci (aka total endoscopic coronary artery bypass) at the University of Chicago.

Mark, what is your opinion on the process?

 

[Mark J]

@drzaius, I think I would have done the same.

The Da Vinci is pretty costly, so even in Chicago most hospitals don't have one, but they are several facilities set up to do prostate surgery.  As for heart surgery, U of C is the only place around here, that I know of.

There are advantages to TECAB over a regular CABG.  The recovery time is shorter.  Three small holes in the side of the chest, instead of splitting the sternum (breast bone) to open the chest.  The surgery is done on a beating heart, so no heart lung machine.

If you need a non-emergency bypass it's worth looking around your region to see if any surgeons are offering the procedure.

[Mark J]

6 minutes ago, curlyoak said:

Mark, what is your opinion on the process?

 

There are significant advantages as I mentioned above.  But availability is a limitation.  Also, since it is not in wide spread use (yet), another challenge is finding a surgeon & facility with some experience.  

I have recommended it to two of my friends (nearby), but like with Drzaius, it's not going to be the right decision for everyone all the time.