does the idea of a million micro-staples freak anybody else out?

Thats honestly the one thing I cant get out of my head. Does the stomach just heal over the staples or something? Do they last forever?

I know I need to ask my surgeon- did any of you ask? What was the answer?

I have my nurse practitioner appt on 1/29, and then apparently I have to be Dr supervised on a diet for 90 days - I hope to have surgery in June. 

Never thought about it.  Now, I'm really interested!  :)

They are titanium, they last forever! I am sure there is some scarring over them. Doesn't bother me any more than the idea of having metal fillings in my teeth or the possibility of a knee replacement or something. Modern medical science is great

I did ask!  I was told some of them slough off but by then the edges where the stomach was cut would be fused together, when I asked if there would be issues passing them I was told they are so tiny we wouldn't even see them

Let me know what your Dr. said :) 

I don't know what kind or how many stitches my surgeon used, but the more the better! The idea of a leak in my stomach would freak me out more than any number of stitches.

psychoticparrot

My understanding is that the surgeon uses a device that places three rows of tiny staples up the length of the stomach.  Then the stomach heals over the staples.  They become embedded in the stomach tissue and they are inert, and cause no problems.  When the tummy has healed, its almost like they were never there.

I don't think they are anything to worry about.

I also had a 90 day diet before surgery.  If you make the most of it, you will be so glad to have some weight loss under your belt before the surgery.  Plus any weight lost makes the surgery safer.

best wishes,

Carol

They're titanium.  They're permanent.  Scar tissue grows over them.  They won't set off metal detectors.  They use a special stapler that fires two lines of staples at a time and cuts down the middle, separating the part of the stomach that's staying from the part of the stomach that's being pulled out.  Yes, I asked my surgeon. 

I watched a video from a surgeon and was surprised at how tiny they are.  He showed how the stapling works by using deli meat as replacement for the stomach LOL.

Go to youtube. Look up videos by endobariatric. Dr Alvarez has many shows. One of the videos show the stapler, staples, and explains the process. I spent time and watched  all his videos. It made me feel much more comfortable  with everything