Robotic Assisted Surgery

Robotic Assisted Surgery services offered in Thousand Oaks and Greater Los Angeles area.

University Bariatrics now offers robotic assisted bariatric and general surgery procedures. Robotic surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive or laparoscopic (small incision) surgery where a computer-controlled robot is used to assist the surgeon in certain surgical procedures. The robot’s “hands” have a high degree of dexterity, allowing University Bariatrics surgeons the ability to operate in very tight spaces in the body that would otherwise only be accessible through open (long incision) surgery.

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Compared to open surgery (traditional surgery with larger incisions), robotic and minimally invasive surgery results in smaller incisions resulting in less pain and scarring. University Bariatrics surgeons can perform complex surgical tasks through tiny incisions using robotic technology. Surgical robots are self-powered, computer-controlled devices that can be programmed to aid in the positioning and manipulation of surgical instruments. This provides surgeons with better accuracy, flexibility, and control.
When performing robotic surgery:

The surgeon works from a computer console in the operating room, controlling miniaturized instruments mounted on four robotic arms to make tiny incisions in the patient.
The surgeon looks through a 3-D camera which magnifies the surgical site.
The surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements are transmitted through the computer console to the instruments attached to the robot’s arms. The mimicked movements have the same range of motion as the surgeon allowing maximum control.
The surgical team supervises the robot at the patient’s bedside.

University Bariatrics surgeons know that many patients are concerned about the idea of a robot performing surgery. They should know that the robotic surgical system is really a system that allows the surgeon to make precise, delicate motions while controlling the machine. The robot is never, ever making any decisions or performing incisions. Rather, your surgeon is telling the robot what to do, and the robot allows for greater precision than the human hand on its own. The robotic system cannot think on its own. It cannot operate without the surgeon's control. It only responds to the surgeon’s precise hand and finger movements.
Not every patient is a candidate for robotic assisted surgery. University Bariatrics surgeons will discuss with the patients about this modality as well as other minimally invasive surgical options.