Bassett Expands Options to Offer Advanced Robotic Assisted Gastric Bypass Surgery

“Rural patients deserve the same options available in large urban areas.” 

Cooperstown, N.Y. - Bassett Healthcare Network has announced that it is expanding its services to include technologically advanced robotic assisted Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery as a weight-loss surgery option.

Dr. Joon Shim, Attending Surgeon & Program Director, General Surgery Residency Program, recently performed Bassett’s first surgery of this type. Dr. Shim is an expert in minimally invasive and trauma surgery.

“Robotic assisted surgery is a tool that enables surgeons to make even smaller incisions resulting in faster recovery, less postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays,” offered Dr. Shim. “Rural patients deserve the same options available in large urban areas.” 

“At Bassett, expanding our capabilities to bring the most effective technologies to our patients is core to our mission,” said Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President and CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “I applaud Dr. Shim and the entire bariatric team for advancing the care of our patients.”

“I decided to perform Bassett’s first robotic assisted Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery because I wanted to provide our patients with the most technologically advanced minimally invasive surgery. Our system’s robotic arms provide seven degrees of freedom,” explained Dr. Shim. “The console provides a three-dimensional view of the surgical field with high definition and magnification of 10 times to what the human eye sees.”

“We can innovate in rural hospitals and improve the outcomes of our patients with excellent results,” continued Dr. Shim. “Robotic platforms support minimally invasive procedures associated with lower infection rates, faster recoveries, less postoperative pain, and increased patient satisfaction. Post-operative narcotic use in robotic procedures is astoundingly low. As a matter of fact, a recent robotic gastric bypass patient took only Tylenol while recovering. Our exceptional team will continue to work together to ensure the success of the robotic assisted gastric bypass program.”

Bassett’s bariatric surgery team has received quality recognition for patient safety and better outcomes, including the Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and accreditation by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Dr. Shim, MD, MPH, is an expert on minimally invasive and trauma surgery. She served as an active-duty Army surgeon for four years and completed two tours as a combat trauma surgeon in Afghanistan. Dr. Shim was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal. She earned both her medical degree and her master’s degree in public health from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed her residency in general surgery at the University of Massachusetts, and a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery and bariatric surgery at Brown University.

“It is truly an honor to serve our patients,” concludes Dr. Shim.