Originally Posted by KathyV

I see you are in the UK, so not sure how things work there. Not all cardio-thoracic surgeons are trained to do the surgery robotically (DaVinci is a brand of robotic equipment). Also, not all hospitals have the equipment. I just had my thymectomy in December 2009 and it was done robotically. I specifically chose a surgeon & hospital that could do it this way. I did have a thymoma -- 4cm in size, so surgery was not an option for me. I just have 3 small incisions (less than 1 inch each) over and to the side of my right breast. No stitches, just tape over them for about a week or so. No pain at all after the drainage tube was removed the day after surgery.

I don't believe my thymus was enlarged, but the pathology report showed that it weighed 60 grams and measured 11 x 7 x 1.0 cm thick.

Good luck with your decision.