Surgeon Performs First Complete Robotic Assisted Bariatric Surgery in the State of Mississippi at Singing River Hospital

Dr. Jason Payne of South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center and the Singing River Health System Medical Staff performed the first completely robotic gastric sleeve procedure along the Mississippi Gulf Coast on July 10, 2015, at Singing River Hospital.

While other physicians offer robotic assisted bariatric surgery, Dr. Payne was the first physician in the state to perform this procedure fully robotically, using the da Vinci robotic system available at Singing River Health System. He was able to complete these procedures with fewer and smaller incisions than a traditional laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery with the new robotic stapling technology known as Endowrist 45, recently purchased by Singing River Hospital. This technology allows the surgeon to have more control, precision, and autonomy during the procedure.

“The patient seemed to experience less pain and required less pain medication with the robotic assisted sleeve gastrostomy,” said Dr. Payne. “The da Vinci robotic system enables me to have more precise movement and control with better access to difficult-to-reach areas in the abdomen. This contributes to an overall lower complication rate when compared to traditional methods of performing this surgery.”

The da Vinci Surgical System is designed to provide surgeons with enhanced capabilities, including high-definition 3D vision and a magnified view. The doctor controls the da Vinci System, which translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside your body. Though it is often called a “robot,” da Vinci cannot act on its own. Surgery is performed entirely by the doctor. Together, da Vinci technology allows the doctor to perform routine and complex procedures through just a few small openings, similar to traditional laparoscopy. The da Vinci System has brought minimally invasive surgery to more than 2 million patients worldwide.

Obesity is the number one public health problem in the country, with more than half of Americans overweight and roughly 12 million Americans suffering from morbid obesity. Mississippi currently ranks number three among states for this disease. Along with obesity come co-morbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, sleep apnea and degenerative joint disease, which are a major causes in premature death. The gastric sleeve is a procedure that has good success in helping to correct obesity problems.

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Singing River Weight Loss surgeons are experts in robotic bariatric procedures. To learn more about these procedures, if you qualify, and payment options, visit Singing River Weight Loss Surgery.