Schedule a colonoscopy to avoid “pain and heartache”

Rick P. underwent colonoscopy in the second half of 2024. He was keen on the schedule of colorectal health screening tests since his mother experienced colon cancer several years ago.

Colonoscopy revealed the growth of polyps that are difficult to reach in Rick's colon. Rick's polyp has been removed. Seven months later, follow-up colonoscopy revealed that the polyps had returned.

Rick, 61, said it's easy to decide on the best way to deal with the problem. Dr. Brian Honga general surgeon with Nina's Tedacare and surgical companions.

“These polyps are usually indicators of pre-cancer status, so Dr. Hong recommends that they be removed,” Rick said. “He didn't say I had cancer the next day, but that could become more of a problem in a few years.”

Most polyps are harmless growth that appears in the lining of the colon or rectum. Rick's polyps were a type of tubular myoaddenoma. They are at high risk of developing colorectal cancer, and hope that the American Cancer Society will insist on the lives of nearly 53,000 Americans in 2025. Furthermore, the location where Rick developed this polyp was delicate, making it impossible to remove during colonoscopy.

A semi-retired Waupaka area resident, Rick felt comfortable without using the last name in this story. However, he hoped to share his experiences during the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March to help others understand the importance of disease prevention screening.

Using robotic surgery with Waupaka

Rick had a robotic elevation colonectomy. This is a minimally invasive procedure in which part of the colon is removed as a precaution.

“I remember some of my surgical team saying it was the first robotic surgery of that kind performed at ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca,” Rick said. “It wasn't invasive, I'm sure what my mother went through, do you know?”

That's because Dr. Hong used it. Thedacare's Da Vinci Surgery System Perform a robotic ascending colonectomy procedure.

Health System offers robotic surgery in hospitals in Appleton, Berlin, Nina, Shawano and Waupaka. The technology underscores ThedaCare's commitment to providing high levels of comprehensive care to all communities it serves, including rural areas such as Waupaka.

“Providing robotic surgical access to Waupaka and our other rural communities will help reduce the need for people to travel long distances to receive postoperative and postoperative care, which is frequently featured in the Metropolitan area,” Dr. Hong said. “Providing surgical options close to home allows patients to stay close to family and friends, leading to improved recovery.”

In robotic surgery, the surgeon has 100% control over the system. Transforms the surgeon's hand movement into smaller, more accurate movements of small instruments within the patient's body.

The surgeon uses the system's robotic arms and equipment to separate the colon from the surrounding tissue and remove the affected area of ​​the colon. The healthy part of the colon is reconnected to the small intestine.

“The Da Vinci system allows for minimal invasion surgeries and helps to do complex tasks in hard-to-reach locations,” Dr. Hong said. “Patients like Rick can benefit from the support of our interdisciplinary surgical team who works with them the moment they come for surgery.

Patients may also benefit as fewer incisions mean less pain, shorter recovery times and fewer days at the hospital, Dr. Hong explained.

Rick can prove that.

“Admiration for Dr. Hong and his team,” he said. “He's easy to talk to and has great bedside manners. He worked with me to plan steps that could be done to minimize my time at the hospital. He was walking the first night after the surgery.

He was released from the hospital about 48 hours later, he said.

Rick recovered completely and appreciated that he absolutely stuck to his recommended health screening, reassuring that he had pinched the possibility of a bud colorectal health problem.

He had no symptoms of colorectal cancer: changes in intestinal habits. Blood with movement in the intestines. You feel diarrhea, constipation, or your intestines aren't completely empty. Abdominal pain, pain, or inexorable cramps. Or weight loss for unknown reasons.

However, he was enthusiastic about health screenings, particularly colonoscopy, and was able to avoid serious health complications. He encouraged others to schedule a colonoscopy.
“One thing to do is establish a baseline so that you can see if you're beginning to develop the issue,” he said. “I think it's preventative care and a relief.

Dr. Hong encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to speak to or visit the healthcare provider. ThedaCare Online Schedule a colonoscopy.

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