Question:
Laproscopic Weight Restrictions
Does anyone out there know if there are general rules about at what weight you can have Gastric Bypass done laproscopically versus Open? I know some surgeons will not do it laproscopically if you weigh over a certain amount. — N. H. (posted on July 11, 2007)
July 11, 2007
I am not sure about weight in relation to your question, however, my
surgeon has operated lap on every patient, he has NEVER done open...and
he's operated on patients weighing 500 #!
— Sheri A.
July 11, 2007
really depends on surgeons skills and instruments, they are expensive and
the extra long ones for super moribids cost more. time to shop for a
surgeon since about 1/3 of opens get at least one incisional hernia, LAP
the rate is near zero
— bob-haller
July 11, 2007
Hi,
I has the LAP done.The only thing he was concerned about was that I has the
gald bladder done the old way, with long scar tissues. But he said when
they open me, if they can go around the scar tissues, then he will do it.
Which he did. As far as I know he has done many operations with the Lap on
very heavy people. (I was 288 and 63 yrs old)
Dr. Homan has passed on along with his wife Val and his Mom iin a Plane
Crash, may they rest in peace.
Good Luck..
— Carol Giusto
July 11, 2007
I know my surgeon has done laprascopic on patients who weigh more than 500
lbs. I am having it done next week and weigh 240. Why not call a surgeon
who performs it to ask the question?
— threewishes
July 11, 2007
My surgeon did it lap to me and at day of surgery I weighed 509 lbs. I
have had no complications/no problems since then. But then again my
surgeon is ranked number 1 in Georgia and number 2 in the United States.
Call the surgeons' in your area and ask. Good luck!
— crystalsno
July 11, 2007
It all depend's on you Dr. that you choose . Like for intincts my Dr
doesn't recommend a certain weight . But he does ste a goal for you to lose
x amount of lbs to show you are willing to give it all you got when he
give's you the tool to start your new Journey. That just the way he
Expressed his opionion to me ?
— DONNABOO
July 11, 2007
Hello,my surgery was done by laproscopic and my weight was 300 so it
doesn't matter what your weight is my surgery was done in germany thur and
this Doctor only does it that way he's also listed as #1 not just in
germany but in the world the healing process is the great 2 weeks later I
was in the gym no problems at all the Doctor is Prof Weiner --
— lisa1511
July 11, 2007
It does depend on your surgeon and also if he has long enough tools. On the
show Big Medicine last week they did it lap on a man that was well over 500
or 600 lbs. Check with the individual surgeon you are seeking out.
— KathigME
July 12, 2007
If you have the confidence in your surgeon to operate on you, then you
should be heeding his/her advise in this matter. I don't know about any
hard and fast *rules* in this matter. Different surgeons will have
differing but educated views on this and some of it may have to do with how
comfortable they feel about performing a particular surgery based upon how
many such surgeries they have performed. Have you asked your surgeon how
many 'laproscopic' as opposed to 'open' surgeries (s)he has done. If you
don't get a straight answer, look for another surgeon. I had 'laproscopic'
RNY, followed up about four months later by a major 'open' surgery to
correct a bowel adhesion/obstruction. I was zipped open from well above my
navel to the top of my pubic region. It took 27 staples (on the surface) to
close. The recovery period following 'open' surgery was only slightly
longer than that for the 'laproscopic' procedure. The same surgeon was in
the OR for both surgeries and I weighed considerably less for the 2nd
surgery. Depending upon the patient (you) and the surgeon, 'open' surgery
could be less risky and be accompanied by a higher success rate since the
surgeon has a better view of what's inside of you with the 'open'
procedure. Oh, yes; the laproscopic procedure will leave some scars placed
ay various places on your abdomen whereas the open procedure will leave a
straight line scar. The straight line scar may be more visually pleasing to
some people's eye.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 12, 2007
I'd have to agree with Bob -- it will depend on the surgeons skills. I
don't think my surgeon even does Open. While attending the seminar, that
was never brought up that if a person weighed a certain amount they may
have to open the patient up. I think has to do with level of skill and
experience.
— the7thdean
July 12, 2007
hi, on big medicine they did a 800 lb guy the other day lapro. so whos 'to
say? Brian
— johndough
July 28, 2007
Nikki...I don't think that weight itself determines the type of surgery. I
think that it will depend more on how much fat you have in your stomach
area (there was a guy on Big Medicine who weighed around 500 pounds, but he
was carrying a large part of his weight in his stomach area...so they were
concerned about that...getting around the fat to make the pouch and connect
the intestine)...also if you have had other surgeries in the stomach area
(such as the old type gall bladder, etc.), you could have excess scar
tissue that gives them problems...if your doctor does open, though, then
they have faced a lot of different scenarios and know how to work around
those issues. Good luck!
— BrendaMS
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