Health First has reached a major surgical milestone: 20,000 robotic-assisted procedures performed across its system, reflecting more than a decade of commitment to advanced technology, clinical excellence, and improved patient outcomes.
In the image above, Dr. Kenneth Tieu, MD, a general and bariatric surgeon at Health First, performs a robotic-assisted bariatric surgery. The da Vinci robotic surgical system has enabled more than 20,000 robotic-assisted procedures across the Health First system.
For Dr. Kenneth Tieu, MD, who has personally performed more than 3,000 robotic-assisted surgeries, the milestone reflects years of vision and commitment to advancing surgical care through innovation.
“When we first started doing this, we were early adopters,” Tieu said. “We were among the first in the area to use this technology, at a time when robotic surgery was still new.”
After completing specialized training in robotic-assisted surgery, Tieu and others on the team brought those advanced skills to Health First with a clear goal: expanding access to minimally invasive procedures and improving patient outcomes across the community.
“We believed in the technology and continued to use it,” Tieu said. “Now, 14 years later, it’s clear that it works. It improves patient outcomes, and the results have been excellent.”
Before robotic surgery became widely available, many procedures required large incisions, extended hospital stays and prolonged recovery periods.
“Historically, surgery meant one big incision. That led to longer hospital stays, higher infection risk, more blood loss, more pain and a much longer time out of work.”
– Dr. Kenneth Tieu
Dr. Kenneth Tieu, MD, is a general and bariatric surgeon at Health First, whose work in robotic-assisted surgery has helped advance minimally invasive care in the community. He has personally performed more than 3,000 robotic-assisted surgeries.
The introduction of laparoscopic surgery reduced incision size and recovery time, but it was technically demanding and limited to surgeons with extensive specialized training. Robotic surgery bridged that gap.
“With robotic surgery, more surgeons were able to safely offer minimally invasive procedures to more patients,” Tieu said. “Now we’re doing the same surgeries with smaller incisions, less pain, less blood loss and many patients go home the same day.”
For patients, the impact is immediate and life-changing.
“Often times, patients may not have to miss work or school don’t miss work and they get back to their daily activities almost right away,” he said. He emphasized this leads to higher patient satisfaction and allows many patients to return to work sooner—an important consideration for individuals and families.
Tieu said many patients, particularly those who haven’t had surgery in years, are often surprised by how quickly they recover.
(image from Intuitive)
“I do a lot of bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass. I’ll see patients the next day, and they’ll say, ‘Did you even do the surgery on me?’”
That reaction is especially striking given the complexity of bariatric procedures.
“When you think about gastric bypass, it’s a major operation—we’re rerouting intestines,” he said. “But patients will tell me they feel like they’ve never even had surgery.”
Today, early movement and rapid recovery are standard.
“Historically, recovery could take weeks,” Tieu said. “With robotic surgery, patients are often mobile the day of surgery and recover much more quickly.”
Despite its growing use, robotic surgery is still sometimes misunderstood.
“The biggest question I get is, ‘Is the robot doing the surgery?’” Tieu said. “The answer is no.”
Instead, the robotic system functions as a highly advanced surgical tool controlled entirely by the surgeon.
“It gives me better precision,” he said. “I can see everything in 3D. I can work inside the body as if my hands were there, through an eight-millimeter incision.”
“If you know the surgery, learning robotics is actually easier than laparoscopic surgery,” he said. “It takes far fewer cases to become competent robotically.”
Robotic surgery also enhances patient safety in significant ways.
“The visualization is much better than standard laparoscopy,” Tieu said. “Everything is in 3D and movements are smoother.”
That precision can be critical, particularly in delicate procedures.
With robotic systems, surgeons can also manipulate up to four instruments at once—offering more direct control and reducing reliance on additional hands.
“Safety goes up, precision goes up and outcomes improve,” Tieu said.
Robotic surgery is never a one-person operation. According to Tieu, it requires a highly trained, coordinated team.
“You need everyone—the nurses, surgical techs, anesthesia team—on board and knowing exactly what’s happening in the procedure,” he said.
While the surgeon operates from a console positioned inside the operating room, the bedside team plays a crucial role in instrument exchange, troubleshooting, and patient safety.
“I rely completely on my team,” Tieu said. “Everyone plays a big role as there are a lot of moving parts.”
Robotic surgery is never a one-person operation.
According to Dr. Kenneth Tieu, it requires a highly trained, coordinated team. “You need everyone—the nurses, surgical techs, anesthesia team—on board and knowing exactly what’s happening in the procedure,” he said.
Robotic surgery not only improves precision and recovery—it also offers new ways for surgeons to collaborate. While Health First hasn’t yet needed to use this capability in practice, the system allows surgeons to consult remotely with colleagues in real time if the situation calls for it.
“With this technology, another surgeon can log in and see exactly what I’m seeing during a case,” Tieu said. “It’s like having another set of expert eyes available, which adds an extra layer of collaboration and support for complex situations.”
According to Tieu, tools like this reflect how modern surgery continues to evolve—not just through advanced equipment, but through stronger connections among physicians, all working together to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
“I never imagined we’d get to this number when we first started,” he said.
He credits Health First leadership for believing in robotic surgery early—long before it became commonplace.
“Our administration believed in our vision from the start and provided the support we needed to make it a reality,” Tieu said.
Today, robotic surgery is no longer the exception—it’s the standard, reflecting years of dedication and innovation in patient care.
“When we first arrived, only a few surgeons in Brevard County were using robotic technology,” he said. “Now, it’s widely adopted, and it’s exciting to see how many more patients can benefit from these minimally invasive procedures.”
Looking ahead, Tieu remains committed to continuous improvement.
“As technology advances, we’ll continue embracing new tools and techniques,” he said. “There’s always an opportunity to refine our skills and enhance patient care.”
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