Family Health West’s new general surgery team, led by Dr. Andrew Morse, now includes robot-assisted surgery with a new Da Vinci 5 Surgical Robot. The da Vinci 5 robot system, produced by Intuitive Surgical Inc., is an advanced robotic-surgery system that allows for the most minimally invasive procedures possible, according to a news release from Family Health West.

General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the abdomen and includes a broad range of services from colonoscopies to biopsies, vasectomies and gallbladder-removal surgeries. General Surgery at Family Health West, 300 W. Ottley Ave. in Fruita, will also include weight management and bariatric services and a vein clinic, the news release said. Family Health West patients can now receive gastric bypass and sleeve procedures, GLP-1 therapies (including Ozempic and Wegovy) and varicose and spider vein treatments.

One of the Da Vinci’s key features is its Force Feedback, which provides a more human sense of touch by allowing surgeons to feel the push and pull of tissue during procedures, the news release said. The 3D High-Definition Visualization magnifies the view of the surgical site and improves the surgeon’s view of details which might otherwise not be visible. As a result of these features, patients who undergo robot-assisted surgery can expect reduced procedure time, faster recovery and fewer complications after surgery.

The general surgery team is led by Dr. Morse, a board-certified general surgeon whose care emphasizes minimally invasive procedures, general surgical techniques with exceptional care, the news release said.

“I love working with my hands and helping patients get better, sometimes almost instantly,” Morse said.

For more information about Family Health West General Surgery, visit fhw.org/services/general-surgery. Appointments are available by phone at 970-200-1740.