Hi i had robotic laproscopisc surgery to remove a 6 cm mass , this april 2013. It is interesting because surgeon is using a controller like we use for nintendo or playstation games. he does better than hands on surgery because he has a carmera with magnification(zoom). he sees more and can do same work with less cutting and invasive cutting to your muscles. which is less pain. gas after surgery is the only thing that may bother you. you will have 5 small really small insicions. mine were glued and healed relativly fast. i hope i was a help and if you need anything let me know.