Before the Procedure:

You cannot have any food or fluid for 8 hours before the surgery. If you are having certain types of abdominal surgery, your surgeon may recommend that you cleanse your bowels with an enema or laxative the day before surgery.

Stop taking aspirin, blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or Plavix, anti-inflammatory medications, vitamins, or other supplements 10 days before the procedure.

After the Procedure:

You will be taken to a recovery room after the procedure. Depending on the type of surgery performed, you may have to stay in the hospital overnight or for a couple of days.

You should be able to walk within a day after the procedure, depending on what type of procedure was done. Avoid heavy lifting or straining until your doctor gives you the okay. Your doctor may advise you not to drive for at least a week.

Convalescence:

Because the surgical cuts are typically smaller than with traditional open surgery, robotic surgery may lead to:

• Faster recovery
• Less pain and bleeding
• Less risk of infection
• Shorter hospital stay
• Smaller scars