Last updated 2 months ago
If you are looking for information to guide your cancer care or help you prepare for a surgical procedure, you can find helpful facts in the recommended articles below. For a more personalized look at your health and treatment planning, contact Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks. You can reach us on our website or through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (877) 888-5746.
Last updated 2 months ago
Robotically assisted surgery using da Vinci Technology is the most advanced surgical technique available today, and it offers many benefits over traditional open surgery. All da Vinci Surgical Procedures are minimally invasive and designed to produce the best outcomes over a wide range of surgical specialties. If you do need any type of surgery, you should discuss your eligibility for da Vinci Surgery with your physician so that you can see all the benefits that it has to offer. Below is a closer look at some things you should know about da Vinci Robotically Assisted Surgery.
The surgeon remains in control
While the tools used to perform surgery are robotic, the procedure is still fully piloted by a highly skilled surgeon. The surgeon views the procedure from a seated control station equipped with a camera that shows the procedure in real-time. Using delicate and subtle movements, the surgeon can guide the arms of the da Vinci system with optimal accuracy that simply cannot be achieved with the human hand. Numerous safety features ensure that the surgical system does not make any movements outside of the surgeon’s control.
Robotic surgery features fewer risks
Because da Vinci Surgery can work with an accuracy that is well beyond that of conventional surgery, there is a lower risk for blood loss and infection resulting from surgery. This means that patients are able to heal faster after surgery and reduce hospital stays to a single night for most procedures.
Surgical scars are very small
Patients are often happy to know that the scars from da Vinci procedures are significantly smaller than those that are left behind by other laparoscopic surgeries. The da Vinci hysterectomy, for example, only leaves behind three to four scars measuring less than two centimeters in length.
At Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, we are proud to feature da Vinci Robotic Surgery in addition to a wide range of state-of-the-art patient care technologies such as GammaKnife Radiosurgery. If you want to further explore our high-tech yet high-touch medical care, visit our website or call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (877) 888-5746.
Last updated 3 months ago
Paul Miller, M.D., a leading radiation oncologist and member of the Coastal Radiation Oncology Medical Group, will be recognized by the Cancer Support Community (formerly The Wellness Community) at the “Evening of Hope” Celebration of Life Gala. The event will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village on Friday, May 3 from 6:00 p.m. until midnight. The gala is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the Cancer Support Community.
Dr. Miller, who practices at Coastal Radiation Oncology, will be the Celebration of Excellence honoree. Dr. Miller is being recognized for his essential expertise and leadership as a member of the CSC Professional Advisory Board.
After earning degrees in Chemistry, Psychology and Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas, Dr. Miller worked briefly as a research engineer in the aerospace field in Southern California working on the development of the space shuttle. Dr. Miller then worked in a genetics research lab at the University of Kansas where he later attended medical school and completed training in radiation oncology.
Board-certified by the American College of Radiology, Dr. Miller spent over 17 years as an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Miller has also participated in multiple clinical trials through the years and previously held the position of principal investigator at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, for the Southwest Oncology Group, a national cancer research organization funded by the National Cancer Institute, in cooperation with UCLA. He has published research on high-grade brain tumors, and has actively participated in studies on breast cancer, lung cancer, and brain tumors.
The Coastal physicians and staff would like to congratulate and recognize Dr. Miller for his contributions to cancer treatment and research, as evidenced by this unique honor from the Cancer Support Community.
About Coastal Radiation Oncology Medical Group
For over 35 years, Coastal Radiation Oncology Medical Group has provided expert, compassionate cancer care in communities throughout the central coast of California. With a team of 11 board-certified radiation oncologists and eight locations, Coastal Radiation Oncology is able to provide minimally invasive, life-saving cancer treatment, without requiring patients to leave their neighborhood. At Coastal Radiation Oncology, world-class cancer care has a local address.
For more information, please visit www.coastalradiationoncology.com.
Last updated 3 months ago
Endometriosis is a relatively common condition that affects women of reproductive age, causing symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, abnormal menstruation, and infertility. There is no specific cause that has been linked to this condition, but there are treatments available to keep symptoms under control and help affected women achieve their family planning goals. You can compare some of the treatment options available from Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center below.
Medication
Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows on other structures in the lower abdomen. This tissue is affected by the presence of female hormones, so it may be gradually eliminated through the use of hormonal medications. These drugs will cause the endometrium to thicken, which will ease the breakdown and bleeding of this abnormal tissue. Medication might also be prescribed to manage the pain that endometriosis typically causes.
Lifestyle Changes
It may be possible to manage endometriosis holistically with habits that can alter the balance of hormones in the body. Changes that may be beneficial include healthier diet, exercise, and the use of heat to relieve pain. These solutions might be used exclusively or in combination with medical therapies, but you should discuss them with your doctor before making a decision about your treatment.
Surgery
When more conservative therapies have failed or treatment is being used to restore fertility, minimally invasive surgery might be the right choice. With da Vinci Robotically Assisted Surgery, removal of unwanted endometrial tissue is a low-risk procedure with predictable results and generally positive outcomes. If symptoms are severe and fertility is not a factor, da Vinci Hysterectomy may be used to remove the uterus completely.
If you are living with the painful symptoms of endometriosis, the Women’s Care team at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center can help you find relief. We will provide you with complete, compassionate care whether you choose conservative or surgical therapies for your treatment. You can schedule a consultation with a physician at our hospital through our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (877) 888-5746. Our website offers more information related to our da Vinci Robotic Surgery program and women’s health services.
Last updated 3 months ago
It is easy to underestimate your need for cardiovascular care, because the risk factors for heart disease do not tend to show symptoms. Therefore, you should maintain a schedule of regular check-ups to better understand your total health along with any potential risks to your heart.
This video from the American Heart Association demonstrates that your personal perception of your heart health may be inaccurate, so it is wise to seek a second opinion. Just as you may think you are a better dancer than you actually are; you might think your heart is healthy when it is not.
At Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, we can reveal the truth about your heart health with comprehensive cardiac care fit for patients of all ages. Visit our website to learn more about our services, or schedule your next heart checkup today by calling (877) 888-5746.
