Frequently Asked Questions:

da Vinci / Robotic Surgery

Q: How do I know if I am a candidate for da Vinci (robotic) prostatectomy?

A: Potential candidates for the da Vinci procedure must be under 75 years old and weigh less than 250 lbs. In addition, having had pervious pelvic radiation or multiple abdominal surgeries will make you ineligible for this procedure. If you meet this criteria, we would like the opportunity to present you with some of the potential benefits of the da Vinci prostatectomy option.

Q: Will my insurance cover the da Vinci surgery?

A: The majority of insurance companies pay for this surgery as they would the traditional prostatectomy, however there are exceptions. Please consult with your carrier to confirm your coverage.

Q: Does the da Vinci prostatectomy result in a higher cancer cure rate than traditional (open) surgery?

A: Traditional surgery results in very high cancer cure rates. Because of its precision, the completeness of cancer removal may be even higher for the da Vinci robotic prostatectomy than a traditional prostatectomy.

Q: How long does the operation take?

A: Typically, the procedure itself will take four hours.