take the initiative to incorporate this new skill into his practice. Since then he has performed over 500 general surgeries using the da Vinci robot, including gall bladder, appendix removals, hernia repairs and more. What once was a major surgery can now be done with just a few tiny incisions. “I have seen my patients’ average length of stay on major colon resections decrease from five days to two and a half days,” says Dr. Doumite. “Patients are using less narcotics for pain control and are returning to full activity in two weeks after hernia repair. I truly believe robotics is here to stay. I’m excited we can offer the latest and greatest surgical technology to our community.” Once Dr. Ellington witnessed the dramatic patient outcomes that her husband’s patients experienced, she wanted to be able to offer that to her patients as well. She began training and, about a year after her husband, started using this innovative technology in her practice. Expanding what’s possible Robotics is rapidly changing the field of minimally invasive general surgery at Lake Charles Memorial Health System, especially for Drs. Doumite and Ellington. These motivated and compassionate physicians make up a true “power couple,” at work and home. Both physicians happily say, “We are like most families with three children and working parents—we are just trying to survive and have fun while doing it!” Drs. Ellington and Doumite with their children, William, Henry and Claire. Why choose robotic surgery? At Lake Charles Memorial Health System, surgeons have access to the fourth-generation da Vinci XI, the latest and most advanced surgical system by Intuitive. Benefits for our patients include: Less pain and bleeding Reduced operating time Decreased surgical site infections Lower readmission rate Better patient outcomes Faster recovery time Less pain narcotic use FAMILY This ‘power couple’ is expanding what’s possible at LCMHS lcmh.com 5
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