Is laproscopic surgery possible at 500 pounds??

I think the thing that scares me the most is being cut wide open.... So is laproscopic surgery possible at 500 pounds?

My surgeon has a cut-off of BMI = 50 for laproscopic. Over 50, it's open. Cindy (-81) 174/193/140

The Lap procedure is always safer, but not always possible. My surgeon wanted my BMI below 60 before he would attempt it. I went in at 390 with a BMI of 57.6. He held out only a 50/50 chance at Lap procedure. When it was over he said it was one of the easiest he's done. Even he was surprised. Laproscopic procedure runs lower risk of infection and complications (about half) so if you can talk him into it, do.

Actually, my surgeon cut off was 350 . However my friend just had lap that turned into open she said it isnt bad .. alot of people do it . I was told it is safer open .

I had asked Dr Scott the highest weight he has done lap RNY on and he told me 450 was the highest. Depending on how long it will take you to lose 50 lbs could be what determines if it will be open or lap. Oh yea, something else he had mentioned at his seminar is that he always STARTS the surgery as laproscopically and if he has a hard time with it, then he will open it up. So I think he may start you out as lap as well, I dont know.

Were you guys as worried about having surgery as I am? I've never had any kind of surgery what so ever. I've never hardly even been to the doctor during my 46 years on this Earth. It's one of those things to where I know this is what I must do, I just have to get the courage and faith to go through with it. Don't be surprised if I'm on here a bunch... LOL... Thanks for all you guys have already done for me.... Believe me, it has been a huge shot in the arm...

I was terrified to have surgery. What scared me most was the idea that I would go to sleep and maybe never wake up. Of course, I didn't want anything bad to happen to me at any point after waking up, but I just had a hard time thinking I would go to sleep and never wake to see my daughter again. Of course, I'm afraid of wind (long story), and I have to keep an eye on airplanes until they're done passing over my head. I have many irrational fears, I suppose. Turns out, surgery wasn't worth making myself sick for. Pamela 352/255/150

Hi, Jeff. I was worried, and I've had other surgeries. I figure it goes with the territory. This is something we choose instead of something that has to be done. As it turns out, my worrying was for nothing. Everything went well. Jeanie in St. Louis Duodenal Switch in Omaha, Nebraska 2/12/05 Dr. Gary Anthone Medicare -54 lubs

I had the open RNY surgery. I was 381 on the day of surgery. That was 7 months ago. Today I weigh 267 so Ihave lost 114 lbs. This was the best thing I ever did for myself. I was bummed when I was told 350 was the cut off. I was double bummed when I was told that I would HAVE to have the open surgery because I had had an abdominal hernia repair with mesh insert and because of that, they don't like to try laproscopic surgery. What I learned in all of my research is that doctors claim they can actually see what they are doing better with an open surgery so there is less risk of bowel obstructions, bowel knicks and all of those kinds of things. This surgery was less difficult than the hernia operation and my first c-section. I had no complications. I already knew that I get extremely ill when taking morphine. That was what complicated my hernia surgery. I was throwing up big time and when you have abdominal surgery that's not a very comfortable thing. So, they gave me a different pain med and things when a lot smoother. Also, I had the absolute world's best surgeon who is, unfortunately, retiring at the end of this month. You simply must do your research on your surgeon--how many surgeries has he done? what complications have people had that he has cared for? how many mortalities and what were they from? Things like heart attacks, etc., are possible with any surgery, even gallbladder surgery. But things like bowel knicks are basically surgeons messing up. So, ask the tough questions even during the seminar. Make them answer and be picky about who you let cut on you. Then, go on line here at OH and check out the people who've had that surgeon. Email them and ask how it went for them. Make sure you trust your surgeon. Once you've done all the research, you'll feel better about the surgery and ready to get on with the rest of your life. I have at least another 117 lbs I'd like to lose and I know I can do it. I am absolutely not hungry and when I do get hungry I am satisfied with so, so,so much less. Before surgery, I would eat and then be hungry again in five minutes. I never got to that full and satisfied state. I actually went through an eating plan that had that as the basis at one time--teaching you to stop eating when you are full. Problem is they couldn't teach me where full was. Now, I definitely know and if I don't stop when I know I am full I will regret it. It feels like everything is backing up into my esophagus and it probably is. It is definitely a great tool for those of us who have this problem with eating. I encourage you to go for it. Teresa 381/267/150

Thanks Teresa... I appreciate your input..