Colon cancer surgery: Any opinions on robotic vs laparoscopic?

I recently had a total colectomy with a young surgeon using robotic. My rectum was attached to my small intestine successfully. (No ostomy/bag). I was out of the hospital in 2 days, driving within a week, and walking a mile daily after 2 weeks. I'm a big fan of robotic surgery now!

I'm not sure that this is where the patient does his research and tells the doctor which one he wants or prefers.
I had laparoscopic sigmoid colon resection without any problems during or after.
Your surgeon may not want to have this conversation as he already knows how a certain surgery will be approached.
The patient does not know what he doesn't know.
If you like your colon and rectal surgeon, trust in him and express your confidence to insure him of said trust!

I had a laprascopic right hemicolectomy in May 2016. Recovery went better than I expected. If I didn’t have a small incision scar around my navel, I would never know I was missing half my colon. No problems.

I had a colorectal surgeon who performed this procedure several times a month. In my research before choosing a surgeon, I discovered that experience with doing the procedure is the most important factor in choosing a surgeon. Also ask about the surgeon’s infection rate, as this is the most common complication with this procedure. Robotic surgery was not offered by any of the surgeons I considered, but that was seven years ago, so I am sure that has changed.

Had the same surgery as bevjoy at Mayo in Rochester, although I was in the hospital in 3 days and was on the garden tractor blowing snow the day after getting released.

Recommended!

I just had colon cancer surgery and went with the robotic , much less time to recoup and less pain.

@lulumeehan, you may appreciate this information from Mayo Clinic with respect to colon surgery:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20353678

I had the robotic. For both my hysterectomy and right hemi. They went in on my left for it and pulled the section out there. I can send you pictures of the after effects. Everyone heals at there own pace. Robotics are slower but more accurate. I would say though that its the Doctor that makes all the difference. You have to have a good feeling about them. I did end up with a surgical seroma which can happen with any of them. Hardest part for me was coming home and having to give myself blood thinners with a needle. But My surgeon was excellently and the scars are not awful. I did research all ways before it. It may be that the elder one wasn’t trained in robotics. But you should ask their opinion on the best route.

I did have the laparoscopic surgery on 9/25. I chose that over robotic because I felt very comfortable with the surgeon. Today 9/30, I have Less pain and swelling in the abdomen. The binder has helped me get up easier from sitting or lying down. The airlife spirometer helps me clear my lungs but very painful to cough. I am giving myself the blood thinner injections which is hard. The incision near my belly button was 3” long. I thought it’d be smaller with laparoscopic. So far, I’m happy with my decision but I realize I have a long road ahead.

My surgery was robotic w 5 small incisions, but also a big 4 inch scar by my belly button, that still causes pain 10 months later. I was told the incision was made to remove tissue. If this is normal for robotic surgery, might as well fare better w laproscopic. I wasnt told about the long incision and am not happy.

My surgeon tried to do robotic on me initially, but had to switch to open because there just wasn’t enough room. I have a small rib cage and it was just too small of space.