CentraState - Healthy Directions

Gallstones affect an estimated 30 million Americans. While many people have few, if any, symptoms, more than 750,000 gallbladder removal surgeries (cholecystectomies) are performed in the U.S. each year, according to the National Institutes of Health. Women, people over the age of 40, and those with a family history of gallstones are at higher risk. Being overweight and eating a diet high in calories and refined carbohydrates can put you at greater risk. Research has also found that weight cycling—losing and regaining weight repeatedly—may lead to gallbladder disease. Acute gallbladder attacks often occur at night, after a heavy meal, and Kimmee suspects her birthday celebration triggered her attack. "I'd been having stomach problems on and off for about a year," Kimmee says. "My doctors were pretty sure it was my gallbladder, but I went through a number of tests and we weren't able to pinpoint the problem." A BREAKTHROUGH SURGERY Kimmee underwent gallbladder removal surgery with Amit Kharod, MD, a board-certified general surgeon on staff at CentraState, using the da Vinci ® Surgical System. Robotic surgery allows specially trained surgeons to offer an alternative to traditional open surgery with large incisions and standard minimally invasive abdominal surgery, known as laparoscopy. The surgeon controls the robotic device, and it translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside of the patient's body. As a result of this extreme precision, patients potentially experience reduced blood loss, less pain and scarring, decreased risk of infection, fewer complications, and a faster recovery time. "Through an incision in the naval that's an inch or less, we're able to insert multiple instruments and remove the gallbladder without causing any significant injury to nearby muscles and tissues," Dr. Kharod says. "The operation is exactly the same as traditional laparoscopy but with the potential for a shorter recovery time." Dr. Kharod says the procedure is appropriate for most patients with gallbladder disease, especially those who are able to schedule an elective procedure, and it was particularly important for a young, motivated patient like Kimmee. "She really did need to get back to work, and my belief was this strategy would get her back to baking as soon as possible," Dr. Kharod says. "She's her own boss, and she joked with me that she's not going to give herself time off." In addition to gallbladder removal, CentraState's surgeons offer a wide range of procedures using da Vinci ® , including colon resection, bariatric surgery, procedures for acid reflux and hiatal hernia—as well as procedures to remove the uterus (hysterectomy), adrenal glands (adrenalectomy), and prostate (prostatectomy) to treat cancer and other conditions. A SPEEDY RECOVERY Kimmee says she was up and walking around the day after surgery. She was discharged from the hospital later that same day. The following Monday, five days after her surgery, she returned to work at her rock 'n' roll-themed bakery—she just wasn't allowed to strain or lift anything heavy. She says her speedy return was important because while she has help baking and selling her delicious treats, she does all the behind-the-scenes work of running a small business. Now approaching a year since her surgery, Kimmee says she's had no related problems. In addition to getting back to work, she has gotten back to running her charity, which she has given the tongue-in-cheek name, More Famous Than You (www.morefamousthanyou.com). She bakes treats with well-known local musicians, films the experience and then donates all profits from the sale of the baked goods to charity. Looking back at her time at CentraState, Kimmee says she's had multiple hospital stays during her life, including one following a serious car accident in 1994, and her care at CentraState was "the best experience ever." "Everyone who worked with me, from the moment I walked in the door to the moment I left, was unbelievable," Kimmee says. "I can't say enough. I'm one of those people who will give credit where credit's due and they were phenomenal." For more information on CentraState's robotic surgery services, visit www.centrastate.com/robotic-surgery or call 866-CENTRA7 (866-236-8727). HD Amit Kharod, MD, board-certified surgeon To see a video of Kimmee's CentraState story, visit www.youtube.com/user/CentraStateHealthSys 5 www.centrastate.com Spring 2016

• Cover