Police officers depend heavily on their bodies to keep our communities safe. Some days, they may find themselves in a fixed position for hours in a patrol car or office, but they may have to jump into a life-and-death situation at a moment’s notice.
So, when 17-year veteran police sergeant Mark Garrett was diagnosed with a hernia that impacted his mobility – causing intense pain almost 24 hours per day – he knew it was important that he do something about it sooner rather than later.
He sought treatment with Dr. Jared Lepley, general surgeon at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, who identified him as an ideal candidate for robotic-assisted surgery.
“I believe in treating patients like I would want my family to be treated, and robotic-assisted surgery is how I would want my family to be treated, if they had a condition that was amenable to it,” said Dr. Lepley. “It often offers smaller incisions and faster recovery time – who doesn’t want that?”
Robotic-assisted surgery helped offer Sgt. Garrett a shorter recovery time – about half of the time quoted for a more traditional surgery approach. (Dr. Lepley noted Sgt. Garrett followed post-op instructions to the letter, aiding in successful recovery.)
Just a few days after he was cleared for active duty, Sgt. Garrett had an experience on the job that made him grateful for his recent treatment.
“Six days after returning to full duty, I was involved in an incident that proved to be life or death,” Sgt. Garrett said. “I was being shot at, and I needed to get out of my vehicle in a hurry. There’s no doubt that the surgery and Dr. Lepley helped save my life.”
For his valor in this incident, Sgt. Garrett was recognized in Washington, DC as a “Top Cop” by the National Association of Police Organizations.
Like Sgt. Garrett, many patients who have been referred for surgical solutions may be candidates for robotic-assisted surgeries, including those who may be candidates for laparoscopic procedures or those who may have experienced certain challenges with more traditional surgical methods in the past.
Talk with your provider about what options may be best for your unique needs. For more information about robotic-assisted surgical options at SSM Health, visit www.ssmhealth.com/robotics.
Watch Sgt. Garrett's story below:
