Dad makes daughter's wedding after robot surgery

A man diagnosed with bowel cancer has been able to walk his daughter down the aisle thanks to pioneering robotic surgery.

Michael Sellars, of Liverpool, feared he would be forced to remain at home recovering from an operation just four weeks before his daughter Emma's big day in Mallorca, Spain.

But the 68-year-old was offered less invasive precision robotic surgery at Merseyside's Aintree University Hospital.

The hospital said the father-of-three was the first person in the UK s to undergo the procedure. He said he was "stunned" by his quick recovery.

The 68-year-old said: "I was told the operation would take around four hours, with the right side of my bowel being removed, as this was the area where they had found a suspicious growth.

"Considering the seriousness and complexity of the operation I'm stunned by how well I have recovered.

"Within just two weeks of being home I was going on fairly long walks with my wife and even thinking about going out for lunch in town with friends."

The grandfather said he was "proud to have played a small part in helping make this surgery available to more people".

He added: "But most importantly, I would really encourage everyone to take up the offer of bowel cancer screening. I had no symptoms at all, and it was only through the routine test that my cancer was found."

Prof Shakil Ahmed, who led the procedure, said: "It means a great deal to know that our work has helped give Michael, his daughter and their family such special memories to treasure for years to come.

"We are constantly looking for new ways to provide not only the very best care, but the support post-surgery that our patients and their families deserve."

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