When it comes to urologic care, robotic surgery can make all the difference for the patient. And in Northwest Georgia, advanced services like these combined with compassionate care from trusted professionals means better outcomes for patients, their families and their community.
To see how advanced urology services are making a difference for people in Northwest Georgia, we talked with Hak Lee, MD, a board-certified urologist and the region’s only fellowship-trained urological oncologist and someone who is passionate about robotic surgery.
Dr. Lee attended medical school at the University of Toledo Medical Center and completed his urology residency at the University of California Irvine, then went on to complete his fellowship at the University of California San Diego for urologic oncology.
About five years ago, Dr. Lee joined the team at AdventHealth Gordon, where he founded our robotic surgery program. He’s sharing more about the opportunities available at AdventHealth Medical Group Urology at Calhoun — and why people count on him and his team for compassionate care.
Dr. Lee treats patients with all urologic conditions while specializing in oncology and robotic surgery. He treats patients with kidney, bladder, prostate and testicular cancers, as well as urological reconstructive needs, kidney stones, enlarged prostate issues, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, low testosterone and more urological disorders.
Understanding Robotic Surgery
Many complex urological conditions can be treated with robotic-assisted surgery. Using this method, precise surgical tools are controlled by your surgeon and require a much smaller incision compared to traditional surgery.
There are different methods of treatment for all patients and circumstances, but Dr. Lee explains, “There are specific operations we do that robotic surgery improves overall outcomes and patient recovery. The robot allows for better precision, better visualization and shorter recovery time.”
Dr. Lee adds, “I offer all options to patients, but certain procedures are better suited to be completed robotically. Overall, it’s up to the patient and their surgeon to decide what approach is best suited and most appropriate for the patient.”
For the most part, robotic surgery can be performed on anyone who is a good candidate for traditional open and laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Lee has offered the option of robotic surgery for anyone that can benefit from this approach.
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
AdventHealth Gordon has Northwest Georgia’s most comprehensive multi-specialty robotic surgery program, a program that Dr. Lee started with urology patients about five years ago. Overall, patients who undergo robotic surgery benefit through:
- Faster recovery
- Less blood loss and fewer blood transfusions
- Less pain and reduced use of pain medication
- Lower risk of infections and complications
- Quicker return to normal daily routines
- Reduced scarring
- Shorter hospital stay
Unparalleled Urologic Care, Right Here in Calhoun
“One of the reasons I moved to Calhoun was to start the robotic program to provide the most modern, up-to-date surgical operations for urology,” Dr. Lee says. “Even though Calhoun may be considered a small town, the same surgical advancements that would be offered in larger cities like Chattanooga or Atlanta are also available here.”
“It’s cumbersome and challenging for patients and their families to have to travel out of town for their care. What we offer here is the utmost modern treatments with the compassion and care that everyone deserves. We treat our patients like family here, and our patients feel comfortable and loved in our care,” Dr. Lee shares.
Personalized Care for Every Patient, Every Time
With caring, approachable staff, patients feel welcome and at ease right away at AdventHealth Gordon.
“Our level of personable care is something that we strive for our patients and their families.” Dr. Lee said. “From the day we meet, you have a urologist, robotic coordinator and the rest of my team to guide you and your family through the whole peri-operative process. Our team reaches out to our patients and their families to make sure that all their concerns and questions are addressed and that they feel comfortable and safe throughout the entire surgical process. We strive to gain their trust and treat them with compassion and love.”
Learn More About Urology Care at AdventHealth Gordon
If you or a family member is looking for a urologist in Calhoun or wants to discover options for robotic-assisted urologic surgery, our experts are here to help. To get in touch with Dr. Lee or to find more information on the urological care options available at AdventHealth Gordon, click here.
