Question:
Is it safe to do Roux en y on pt's over 350 my surgeon says no and is pushing lapband
my doc says he cannot do post op tests to check for leakage and 5% die. Others larger than me have said that tests were done post op no problem. — michael L. (posted on November 8, 2002)
November 8, 2002
Hi, I would seriously consider looking into a more skilled surgeon. If he
can't check for leaks on a 350 lb patient, then he isn't that good of a
surgeon. Roux en Y is much more difficult to perform than lap band, so
that may be why he is pushing you to do it. I was 341, 5'6 and had lap
roux en y and was and am fine . Find another surgeon. Best of luck to
you!, :)
— Carey N.
November 8, 2002
I know a couple of people that weighed over 350 and had lap RNY. I know
many many people over 350 that had open RNY, myself included. My surgeons
don't do lap surgery even though they are very skilled surgeons and have a
good track record. I guess they just don't want to change a good thing.
As far as not being able to test for leaks... I have never heard of that.
I weighed 436 the morning of my surgery. Three days later I got to drink
that nasty stuff just like everyone else. I would check into other
surgeons if I were you just to explore your options. Good luck! =)
— Tanya B.
November 8, 2002
Hi, I am 5' 2" in height. I started out weighing 420 lbs. On the day
of my surgery I weighed 395 lbs. My surgeon is very skilled at Laporscopic
surgery, but, he said he might have to do mine the open way. Lo and behold
he WAS able to perform my Roux en Y surgery the laporscopic way. The very
next morning I had my leak test done.
Find another surgeon if possible. You can get the RNY the Lap way. Good
Luck to you!
— Patricia C.
November 8, 2002
I was 408 for my initial consult, my surgeon also suggested the LAP BAND
because she felt I was a good candidate due to my age (31). I ended up
having the RNY at 374 because my insurance would only pay for gastric
bypass. I had my surgery lap with no complications then or now and I'm
over 6 months out. You may want to look into a second opinion, the LAP
BAND is a good form of WLS, many people have excellent results and it's
less invasive but the decision is ultimately yours. It really depends on
the skill level of the surgeon, my surgeon is truly one of the best in the
country so I was not fearful going into surgery with her. Just make sure
that you make an informed decision.
— jenn2002
November 8, 2002
I am over 500 lbs, I too found a surgeon that was pushing the band on me. I
did not want the band. I found another surgeon. He only does RNY. I
explained the previous Dr'd concerns and he said it sounded like he was
being lazy. RNY is a harder surgery, especially on larger folks but it is
only slightly more risky. There is a 3-5% mortality rate, but I look at it
as a 95-97% success rate. Those are GREAT odds. I say it is your body and
the Dr works for you. If he doesn't want to do what you want and you are
O.K. with the risks, change Dr's. I did, my RNY is Monday morning. Good
Luck!!!
— dkinson
November 8, 2002
The surgeon I had does RNY on pt's up to 600#. I would definitely look for
another surgeon.
— LLinderman
November 8, 2002
I had lap RNY at 440. NO problems.
— jen41766
November 8, 2002
My surgeon only recommends banding for those under 300 pounds...goes to
show that even though this seems like a science most of the time, a lot of
it is opinion and experience. RNY is the way to go for ANYONE and, in my
opinion, will work better for 300+ then the band. Good Luck!
— toolio
November 8, 2002
OK, I do not want to sound too negative, but I am concerend that your
surgeon may be looking for more money. I see so many lap band people that
get revised to an RNY becasue it does not work for them. That would be 2
surgeries for your doc. People that weigh over 600 pounds have RNY's with
out problem. Look for a different surgeon.
— Vicki L.
November 8, 2002
I was 370+ when I got my RNY surgery. It was done lap. I'm still here :0
— Robert L.
November 8, 2002
I just wanted to say that I agree with the other posters. There is no
reason a qualified surgeon couldn't do RNY on a patient over 350lbs. In
fact, I weighed 388lbs before surgery and Rny is the surgery that my doctor
reccomended. My surgery was almost exactly 4 months ago, and I have lost
85lbs. I am so close to being under 300lbs I am really getting excited. I
would encourage you to find another surgeon. Never settle.
— Jenny S.
November 8, 2002
I was 390 and I'm still here. :) 10 months out and down 150 pounds.
— Paula Prichard
November 8, 2002
I am 367, and am having RNY next Friday. I have never heard anything before
about it being unsafe for those over a certain weight.
— Michelle Y.
November 8, 2002
My surgeons heaviest RNY patient was 1,100 pounds. My surgeon does not
recommend the band for the super morbids. Perhaps your surgeon is part of a
study and needs some band patients? In any case I would change surgeons.
This one doesnt sound right.
— bob-haller
November 9, 2002
I had Rny on 10/29 at 570 lbs with no problems, doc just has to work harder
and some of the prima donnas that schedule 4 surgerys a day it messes with
there routine, took me three drs till i found someone to work with me
— dozerr
November 9, 2002
Re reading your question if his death rate is 5% and he says he cant check
for leaks FIND A NEW SURGEON IMMEDIATELY! Since your profile is private
what part of the country are you in? Someone nearby can recommend a good
surgeon. That death rate number is terrible...
— bob-haller
November 9, 2002
I had RNY and I weighed 376 day of surgery. All I have to say is PLEASE
LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT SURGEON!
— Samar M.
November 9, 2002
My 2 cents worth...take the advice of everyone else and find another
surgeon. My surgeon doesn't do lap RNY if a patient is more than 300 lbs
overweight so there can be a fair amount of leeway there. And all he does
is lap unless, once he gets in there, he finds he has to open. He hasn't
lost anyone.
— valynn
November 9, 2002
Look for a different surgeon, one who offers the surgery YOU want. I
weighed 372 and had open RnY without a problem....I'm alive.. and no leaks.
— Lisa C.
November 9, 2002
Your surgeon is a wimp. Find a doctor who specializes in laporascopic
surgery. My surgeon only does lap, has been doing it for 20 years, and has
never lost anyone. He has had patients up to 650 pounds. Find another
surgeon whose abilities you can feel confident in.
— Tamara K.
November 9, 2002
I was 427 at the time of my open RNY surgery...JR (open RNY 07/17 -108#)
— John Rushton
November 9, 2002
my 55 year old brotherinlaw weighed 400 lbs & had open rny. he is 5 mos
post op & down over 100 lbs. his heart & blood pressure meds have
been cut twice so far! i advise u to RUN not walk as far from this dr as u
can get.
— sheryl titone
November 9, 2002
I was 355 when I had my LAP RNY on 8/15/2002. I feel great and am down to
281.5 as of last Thursday when I weighed in at the doctor's office. Make
sure your surgeon isn't just pushing his agenda when recommending this.
Might pay to shop around.
— Cathy S.
November 12, 2002
Michael, find a different doc! I am over 6 feet, weighed in at 385, and
had a lap R&Y less than a week ago, and was tested for leaks on the OR
table, and the following day in radiology. If you (or anyone) would like
further details, let me know! Good Luck!
— Justin R.
November 12, 2002
The mortality rate should be approximately "."5% (that's .5%),
NOT 5%...huge difference! BTW, it's my understanding that this is about
the same rate for any surgery, not just WLS.
— Leslie F.
November 14, 2002
I weighed over 350 and I had the open RNY. The Liv-Lite Center in Kane, PA
did it the number is 1-800-565-9200 ext. 4785. Good luck!!!
— Farrah M.
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