How the da Vinci Surgical System helped Tom recover faster from prostate surgery
- Overview
A family history and a fighting spirit
Tom runs his own engineering design company and has always known he was likely to develop prostate cancer due to a family history of the disease. Determined to catch any problems early, he started getting annual prostate checks at the age of 37. “I’ve been having checks every year since I was 37, and I really had to fight for them,” Tom recalls. His persistence paid off.
In late 2024, one of his routine screenings flagged a concern. He was quickly referred for further investigation at his local NHS hospital, and after a series of tests, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“I spoke to my dad, and he said there’s always a tell. If you go into the room and there is a nurse with the consultant, then expect bad news. Sure enough, when I opened the door, a nurse was waiting with the consultant. In a way, I think I already knew, and I was almost glad to be diagnosed – with my family history, it was always likely I’d get it, and I wanted to catch it early.”
Choosing the right treatment
Tom's cancer was caught early, and with age and fitness on his side, the chances of full recovery were good. When discussing treatment options with his consultant, Tom knew he wanted the same treatment that had worked well for his dad 21 years earlier. He was clear: “I wanted to have the radical prostatectomy.”
When he was told he might have to wait 12 to 16 weeks for treatment, Tom joined his wife’s private health insurance policy and started looking into private options. Within weeks, he was on the operating table at Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital.
Fighting cancer with the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System
Tom’s surgery was performed by Mr Moschonas using the latest robotic-assisted surgical technology, the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System, which led to a much faster recovery. “In one word – the treatment was incredible,” Tom says. “I checked in at 7 am and was taken to my room, which was lovely. Then, I met the day nurse, who was brilliant. The whole process was really slick and well organised. The whole experience is as good as it can be, when you have cancer.”
“The whole experience is as good as it can be, when you have cancer.”
A faster recovery than expected
After the surgery, Tom was surprised by how little pain he experienced. “The first thing I did after waking up was check my wounds. Thanks to Mr Moschonas and the robotic technology, the scarring was minimal – a 2-inch cut and 5 small incisions.”
Two weeks later, Tom was back in the garden and painting fences – though he admits he may have overdone it. “It was great that I could do it in the first place. Next week, I’m planning on getting back into physical work and the gym. There’s a way to go, but in some ways, I probably feel better now than before the operation.”
Grateful for a skilled surgeon
Tom credits his fast recovery to the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System, his pre-surgery pelvic floor exercises and especially to Mr Moschonas. “He’s a lovely guy – he’s very calm, but he has that very personable nature. You can tell that he enjoys his job, and he’s very good at it. I’m so grateful for his skill and dexterity – a credit to the service.”
Tom’s story reminds us of the importance of early screening, being proactive about our health, and the difference modern treatment and a dedicated team can make.
Book a consultation
To book a consultant with Mr Dimitrios Moschonas, please call us on 020 8971 8000 or book directly online by clicking below to view his profile:
Last updated Wednesday 25 June 2025
First published on Thursday 22 May 2025