Reaching a Milestone

Cameron County doctor conducts 100th gynecological robotic surgery

Special to the NEWS

HARLINGEN – Dr. Susan Hunter, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, has performed her 100th gynecology surgery using the da Vinci robotic surgical system at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, resulting in a 38-year-old South Texas woman being able to recover faster and get back to work sooner after having a hysterectomy to relieve pain, abnormal bleeding and discomfort.

Dr. Hunter is the first doctor in Cameron County to perform 100 gynecological surgeries using a robot. The less-invasive surgery benefits Valley women because the robot requires only small incisions – instead of the larger incisions required by traditional gynecological procedures. In fact, many patients go home the next day after a robotic surgery – instead of three days of hospitalization for traditional surgery for a hysterectomy. This means these women can return sooner to their families and jobs.

The 100th patient, 38-year-old Julie Teat, is previously from Brownsville – and used to work at Valley Baptist as a respiratory therapist – but now lives with her husband and three children in Corpus Christi. She said it was worth it to drive more than 120 miles south to have a hysterectomy with Dr. Hunter using the robot at Valley Baptist.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Dec. 26 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2010/12/26/reaching-a-milestone/

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