Da Vinci patient recommends Western Baptist
Michelle Stagner of Crofton
was amazed at how fast she recovered from a hysterectomy performed with the da Vinci Surgical System on New Year’s Eve.
Stagner, 32, a pharmacy technician at Cayce’s Pharmacy in Hopkinsville, went home the day after surgery and started walking around the next day.
“There is pain, but it’s a quick healing,” she said. “I would recommend it.”
Western Baptist became the first hospital in the region to implement the da Vinci robot about a year ago for hysterectomies, ovarian cysts and other abdominal problems, as well as prostate surgery. Da Vinci surgery patients normally heal faster, spend less time in the hospital and return to their normal routines sooner.
Stagner, who lives more than an hour away, visited doctors closer to her home to complain about pain, headaches and nausea last fall, but she wasn’t satisfied with their diagnosis. A friend referred her to Western Baptist obstetrician/gynecologist Pamela Hodges, M.D.
“Dr. Hodges knew I needed surgery by looking at my ultrasound,” Stagner said. “On Dec. 15, I decided to have surgery, and I had it on Dec. 31. Every nurse and doctor and tech did a great job. They kept me calm and told me what was going on. It was really wonderful, and I love Dr. Hodges.”
With two young daughters and no plans for other children, Stagner needed a hysterectomy to solve her medical problems, despite her young age, Dr. Hodges said.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re 52 or 32 if you are dealing with pain and problems with your uterus,” Dr. Hodges said. “It’s important for physicians not to make decisions for their patients. Physicians and patients need to make decisions together.”
Stagner had never been to Western Baptist Hospital before her surgery, but she was pleased to learn the da Vinci was available. With her results, she said she will never go anywhere else.
“I would highly recommend Western Baptist Hospital to anyone who needs medical care,” she said. “Recovery has been wonderful and if I had to go anywhere again, I would pick Western Baptist before any other place.”