Robotic-assisted surgery for bariatric, gastrointestinal, general and hernia procedures
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition that may require surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn about all your medical options. Our program is led by world-class surgeons and offers the advanced da Vinci Surgical System for robotic general surgery care.
Many of the minimally invasive procedures allow patients to comfortably recover at home the same day as their surgery. The robotic approach results in less post-surgical pain and shorter hospital stays, meaning you can enjoy more of life, more quickly.
Benefits of minimally invasive surgery
- A faster return to daily activities
- Better clinical outcomes
- Less blood loss
- Less need for pain medications
- Less scarring
- Shorter hospital stays
- Shorter recovery time
- Significantly less pain
A Leader in Surgical Care
Have confidence knowing you’ve chosen the most advanced options and skilled surgeons
Recognized as Ventura County’s first and only Center of Excellence for Robotic Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), Adventist Health Simi Valley offers the most effective, least invasive surgical treatments available. This accreditation signals that our hospital is among the best in this specialty and is acknowledged for providing the highest quality of care and patient safety.
Meet Dr. Pakula
A leader in robotic surgery techniques.
Andrea Pakula, MD
Medical Director of Robotics Surgery
Dr. Andrea Pakula, an internationally renowned surgeon who specializes in hernia repairs, bariatrics and acute care, is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the Intuitive da Vinci line of surgical systems. She is one of just a handful of physicians in the nation who teach other surgeons how to perform complex hernia repairs on the da Vinci robot. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of robotic surgery is the reduced need for pain killers post-operatively. Many of Dr. Pakula’s patients require just ibuprofen in lieu of prescribed narcotics.
View ProfilePhilosophy of Care
My goal is to provide modern, evidence-based surgical care and to offer minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
Andrea Pakula, MD
A Shorter Road to Recovery
Minimally invasive robotic procedures designed to get you feeling better sooner
The da Vinci Xi Surgical System brings the most advanced robotic technology to patients and physicians in the area, providing alternatives to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy. This system puts a surgeon's hands at the controls of state-of-the-art robotic platforms, enabling these experts to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision.
Additional Information
General robotic-assisted surgery procedures
Many conditions can be treated using this minimally invasive approach. Procedures include:
- Acid reflux disease surgery (Nissen fundoplication)
- Bariatric surgery
- Gallbladder surgery
- Inguinal hernia repair
- Pancreas surgery (pancreatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy/Whipple procedure)
- Small bowel surgery
- Spleen surgery (splenectomy)
- Stomach surgery (gastrectomy)
- Ventral hernia repair
How robotic general surgery works
Although the da Vinci is referred to as a “robot,” the system is not autonomous. It does not perform surgery, and the surgeon is always in complete control of the instruments. With the surgeon sitting at a console just a few feet from the patient, the da Vinci system translates the surgeon’s hand movements into corresponding micro-movements of the surgical instruments. This system enables physicians to perform delicate and complex operations through tiny incisions with enhanced dexterity and control.
Testimonial
I live, eat and breathe automation, so when Dr. Pakula started talking about robotic surgery, I knew the reliability and how it can smooth things out. Now, I have less brain fog and everything is just clear.
Ruthann B., da Vinci hernia and gastric bypass patient
Adventist Health Simi Valley
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