Stacie Stegman – da Vinci Hysterectomy Success Story

Hysterectomy with da Vinci® – "It couldn't have been easier"

For five years, 41-year-old Stacie Stegman battled heavy periods and pain so bad that she started missing work at least once a month.

"I thought it was hereditary because my mom struggled with the same problem," she says. However, after a visit to her physician, she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids.

For three years, Stegman pushed through the pain until, finally, enough was enough.

"I decided something had to be done," she says. "A person should not have to live like this."

Stegman found her way to Christen Leaf, MD, independently practicing OB-GYN on the medical staff at Methodist Richardson Medical Center.

"After discussing with Stacie all of her options, it was clear that a hysterectomy was her best choice," Dr. Leaf says. "I recommended she have surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System because procedures with the robot generally result in a shorter recovery time and hospital stay and less discomfort."

Facing a decision for surgery

With the help of a DVD and educational materials provided by Dr. Leaf, Stegman and her husband were better able to understand the advantages of a minimally invasive procedure with the da Vinci robot.

"Dr. Leaf was really kind to me," Stegman says. "She was understanding and did an excellent job laying out the facts for me."

Those facts included how surgery with da Vinci works. During the procedure, the physician sits at a nearby console, controlling each of the robot's movements. Because the robot's arms are far more slender than those of a human, the physician is able to guide them to perform the procedure with extreme precision and accuracy and make smaller incisions, which have the benefits of less pain and scarring and a faster recovery.

Road to recovery

On Feb. 24, Stegman had the procedure at Methodist Richardson. After an overnight stay at the hospital, so nurses could monitor her blood sugars, she went home feeling fine.

"The following weekend I was out getting a mani-pedi and grocery shopping," she says.

For the past 20 years, Stegman has worked as a homeowners insurance claims adjuster.

"Part of my job involves climbing on top of roofs," she says with a giggle. "Thankfully, having had this surgery will make that part of my job easier."

Work isn't the only thing that's easier. Without the distraction of pain, taking her two boxers – Duke and Daisy – for afternoon walks and spending time with her husband and stepchildren is more enjoyable. And that summer vacation planned for Mexico? It's something she can definitely look forward to.

From the summer 2012 edition of Shine magazine.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.