We believe that advances in surgical technology – particularly minimally invasive procedures – have transformed patient care. Drawing on the experience of surgeons around the world, and our own medical and technical expertise, we’re continuing to introduce innovative products and techniques that reduce tissue damage during surgery, and can make patient recovery faster and less painful. To get an idea of the progress we've made to date, please have a look at comments from people like you who have had these procedures using a minimally invasive approach.
Colectomy Testimonials
As a regular Today Show viewer, Linda from Salt Lake City had heard Katie Couric talk about colon cancer being the "silent killer" and knew she was at the age to be checked. Even though Linda wasn't experiencing symptoms that interfered with her daily activities, she knew she needed to do everything she could to ensure that she would have plenty of years to watch her four grandchildren grow up.
Five years ago, Linda went in for her first colonoscopy. After three years, she went back for another and then found herself going in every six months for repeat colonoscopies to remove polyps. It was clear to her and her physician that she couldn't continue to have a colonoscopy every six months, but the thought of open surgery was frightening. Linda's memories of previous open surgeries included significant pain and long recovery times.
Linda researched her options on the Internet and talked to others that had opted for a minimally invasive colon surgery. After discussion with her physician, the two agreed that a laparoscopic procedure would allow for more polyps to be removed and a similar rate of recurrence – and would therefore be the best option for her. On Oct. 4, 2004, at age 60, Linda was wheeled in for laparoscopic surgery to remove the polyps in her colon – and 69 minutes later, she was wheeled into recovery.
Linda remembers there was some pain after the colectomy, and her small incision stung for a few days, but after two weeks she was back to doing everything she had done before. "The recovery has been very good," Linda said. "I haven't been tired and there's nothing I can't do!"
Much to Linda's surprise, the polyps removed during her colon surgery were cancerous. This news certainly came as both a shock and a relief to Linda – reinforcing the need for getting checked often and catching cancer early. Linda already has been urging all three of her children to go in for a check-up.
"If I needed surgery again and a minimally invasive surgery is offered as an option, I would definitely opt for it," Linda said. "It's a lot less scary to me than open surgery." But don't just take Linda's word for it – watching her garden, cook, sew, and chase her grandchildren around is enough to know what a quicker colectomy recovery meant for Linda.
For Rachel that was not the case. She has spent the last three years suffering from pain and most days had a hard time getting out of bed. She yearned to eat a regular meal and function like a normal person again. Rachel is 18 years old and suffered from ulcerative colitis.
"I would go to bed and hope that I would wake up to a day without pain," Rachel said. "I was so sick."
Rachel was first treated with prescription medication, but due to consistent flare-ups and pain she discovered that the sulfur ingredient in the pills caused her to have an allergic reaction. She was only able to tolerate steroids, and every summer she was put in the hospital for up to a month to receive steroids in high doses. This helped alleviate short term pain, but in the summer of 2004, nothing would work. Rachel was doubled over in pain and had to be rushed from Mississippi to New Orleans in an ambulance to see a colorectal surgeon. The colitis had spread to her entire colon and the only answer was to have it removed or her colon would rupture.
Taking Rachel's age into consideration, the surgeon decided to remove her colon laparoscopically. He wanted her to heal as quickly as possible and enjoy her freshman year of college.
"Having surgery has given me my life back," Rachel said. "I went from lying in bed for two months to being active in less than one week. I have as much energy as I possibly can have and act like a normal college freshman — stay up until 2 a.m., walk to class, and work out every day."
At the time, Rachel just wanted her colon removed to feel healthy again. Now, as she reflects on the experience, she is very thankful that she had a laparoscopic colectomy. She experienced very little pain and minimal scarring.
"I went swimming with my friends last week and was self-conscious about my scars, but no one noticed," Rachel said. "The fact that I had major surgery and my scars are so small that others won’t ever notice is unbelievable."
Rachel's life is no longer dictated by her disease and she is medication-free for the first time in three years.
"There were days when I wanted to give up and didn't understand why this was happening to me," Rachel said. "But with great surgeons and the technology available today, I was able to look into the future and have hope."
Learn more about minimally invasive colon surgery
Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH) Testimonials
To better understand the advantages of Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH), read what some patients had to say about their experience with the procedure:
"I was suffering from extremely painful hemorrhoids and fissures. I had been housebound and in agony for 5 weeks. Three doctors had written 6 different prescriptions for creams, ointments, and suppositories. The medications did not work and I was desperate for relief. I choose PPH over conventional hemorrhoidectomy procedures because I knew someone who had undergone the conventional surgery and was told that the healing process is long and painful.
I was assured that the PPH surgery recovery would not be long and that it would be minimally uncomfortable. I was however concerned that the recovery would be painful and slow and that I might not be a viable candidate for the PPH procedure. I was also concerned about being "stapled" and that I would feel them (the staples) and then what passing them would be like.
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being unbearable pain), I entered the hospital at a level 10 and left the hospital, one day later, at a level 3. After the first 2 days I no longer needed any pain medication. It has been 6 weeks since my surgery and there has not been a hint of recurrence.
I would tell patients who are considering PPH that they should not hesitate to undergo PPH. I only wish I had known about this solution sooner so that I would not have suffered for so long."
"I had had hemorrhoids for 40 years, most notably since having my children. I had "managed" them through the years but recognized in the last 10 years that I needed help because of the discomfort."
"I work away from the home and had delayed seeking help because of the lengthy “down time” and pain following any of the surgical procedures that I had researched. I had also heard the "war stories" of family and friends who had had the conventional hemorrhoid surgeries. After I heard about PPH, I read the brochure. I was then ready to find the right doctor and set the date. My initial visit to the doctor was informative. Essentially, I did not have any fears or anxiety going into the procedure."
"PPH was performed on an outpatient basis. I experienced minimal pain – more what I referred to as discomfort. I took a pain pill just before I left the hospital, primarily because I was told to do so, rather than because I felt a need for it. I did not take any pain medication thereafter. I had the procedure on a Wednesday. The next day, I was on my feet, without pain, resting at intervals as I felt the need. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I was at home doing almost anything I wanted. I even went out for supper on Saturday evening and I was ready to return to work on Monday. I have not had any recurrence of the hemorrhoids. My advice to other patients considering PPH is that they should read the literature, talk to a doctor, get all of their questions answered, and then do it! Why continue to suffer when there is such remarkable help now available?"
"My hemorrhoids were so bad I actually had to tuck them back inside to be comfortable. Bowel movements were very uncomfortable, and I often discovered blood in my undergarments. I finally discussed my condition with my doctor and he recommended PPH.
It has been two weeks since I had the procedure and so far there have been no problems. I would tell patients who are considering PPH that the procedure is not a big deal at all. Had I known how easy it was going to be I would have done it a long time ago. I suffered needlessly because I was scared."
"I had had hemorrhoids for 40 years, most notably since having my children. I had “managed” them through the years but recognized in the last 10 years that I needed help because of the discomfort."
"I work away from the home and had delayed seeking help because of the lengthy "down time" and pain following any of the surgical procedures that I had researched. I had also heard the "war stories" of family and friends who had had the conventional hemorrhoid surgeries. After I heard about PPH, I read the brochure. I was then ready to find the right doctor and set the date. My initial visit to the doctor was informative. Essentially, I did not have any fears or anxiety going into the procedure."
"PPH was performed on an outpatient basis. I experienced minimal pain – more what I referred to as discomfort. I took a pain pill just before I left the hospital, primarily because I was told to do so, rather than because I felt a need for it. I did not take any pain medication thereafter. I had the procedure on a Wednesday. The next day, I was on my feet, without pain, resting at intervals as I felt the need. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I was at home doing almost anything I wanted. I even went out for supper on Saturday evening and I was ready to return to work on Monday. I have not had any recurrence of the hemorrhoids. My advice to other patients considering PPH is that they should read the literature, talk to a doctor, get all of their questions answered, and then do it! Why continue to suffer when there is such remarkable help now available?"
Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH) Physician Testimonials
Read what doctors have to say about the many advantages of PPH:
I have been in practice for 20 years. I started performing PPH so that I could offer my patients an alternative to conventional hemorrhoidectomy. The advantages of PPH over conventional hemorrhoidectomy techniques that I have observed in my patients are less postoperative pain and a quicker return to the activities of daily life. I have seen some patients resume their normal diets on the night of surgery and return to regular activities the following day.
After performing PPH on patients, I see improved patient outcomes and with much less morbidity in comparison to conventional hemorrhoid techniques.
I am a board certified colorectal surgeon and have performed over 50 PPH surgeries. On average, I perform 2 to 4 PPH procedures a month. I also train surgeons on the techniques of performing PPH. I started performing PPH when it was introduced in the U.S., because the procedure offers less discomfort and time off work for patients in comparison to conventional hemorrhoidectomy. In addition, I have had cases where patients usually return to their normal diet on the day of their surgery and return to normal activities within 48 hours.
