Is there a chance to have it this way?

Hi everyone. I was wondering, has anyone on here had their surgery laproscopically and weighed over 400 pounds? I am having RNY on thursday and my surgeon said he would try to do it laproscopically but if he couldn't do it that way he would have to do it open. Any comments would be GREATLY appreciated. Also, what did you all take to the hospital with you? I haven't even started getting my things together yet. I know, I should have already started doing it but I am still really scared to be honest with you. I know that I am still young (30 years old) and from what I have heard, I am overall healthy except for being overweight. But their is still that little voice in my head saying, WHAT IF? I can't shake that little voice. I know that I really need this surgery. I mean my BMI is like 81!! I know that if I don't have this surgery my weight will kill me. I am hoping this is all normal.

Anyways, if anyone could help me out with these questions I would really appreciate it. Also could you all please keep me in your prayers on thursday. Thanks everyone. Oh and sorry the post is so long, I just went on and on...lol

                        Emelinda

Hey Emelinda! I had to have my surgery done open because I weighed more than 400 pounds. It's not the end of the world if you have to go that way. Sure the recovery is a little longer but the end result is the same! If they do have to do open, and offer an epidural, take it! I couldn't have an epidural, and it would've come in super handy! We're really similar, my starting bmi was 74 and I'm 29, and over all healthy except for morbid obesity. So no worries! Lots of people just like us are doing jus fine, through every stage. I love your ticker by the way! Good luck!

Vannessa

My husband is scheduled for Lap RNY this Friday.  He's got a high BMI and during his pre-op visit, his surgeon said there is a 90% chance he'll be able to perform regular Lap RNY but he also said there is a 10% chance that he may have to do the surgery in two separate surgeries, a year apart.  He may have to cut the bottom part of his stomach and go back in a year later after some weight loss and do the regular RNY.  He said he would rather do this than have to do it "open" due to recover time and higher risk of infection.  Just to compare, my husband is about 6'2" and around 470lbs.  Like you, he's got no co-morbidities and he's 31 years old.

When I had my Lap RNY I didn't bring anything with me to the hospital except what I was wearing.  You're in a gown all of the time there and they give you the basic toiletries.  You're doing a lot of sleeping and when you're not you're walking so there isn't much need for reading material or an iPod.  I was released the next day so for me, I didn't have time to get bored and didn't really need much.

Best of luck to you on your new journey.  I will definitely say a prayer for you!

I had lap RNY at 405 lbs (5'1") at 29 years of age. It went smoothly but I did have complications 2 weeks later. I'm not sure if they were related to my weight. The repairs were also performed laparoscopically. As long as your surgeon is confident that he can do it, I wouldn't worry too much. It also depends on how your weight is distributed (I am a pear shape so I had less abdominal fat that someone who is an apple shape). The surgeon said that made a big difference in terms of his ability to do it laparoscopically - the thickness of your body wall and abdominal fat can make a difference on whether they can use the ports and laparoscopic tools with enough manueverability.

As for things to take to the hospital - chapstick, baby wipes, and my own underwear and slippers were the most important things for me. I read some but I'd fall asleep if I listened to music or books. I had to wear my contacts (hard contacts) so I kept a container and cleaner as well. Most everything else is or can be provided to you, or your family can bring it. A lot of people leave a pillow in the car for the ride home - I found that helpful since I had a long ride home with some bumps.

Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and fast recovery!

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I am definitely going to have to take a pillow with me for on the ride home because the hospital I am going to is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours away. On the way home I have to go down I-95 and their is some parents of 95 that is bumpy!! I was also told that since I live so far away that on the way home I have to stop every 30 minutes and walk which is fine with me because after anesthesia I usually get nauseous and start throwing up. I am going to make sure I tell the anestesiologist that though because I don't think its good to throw up after having RNY.

Again, thanks everyone for your replies. I greatly appreciate them. I can't believe at this time tomorrow I will already be having my surgery!!

                        Emelinda

I am 14 months out and i had my RNY laproscopically.
The dr told me he would try but if not he would have to do open,he got the job done and told me that it was rough cause i had alot of fat in my middle.
I weighed 509 and 5"7 and bmi was over 80.
Its normal to be scared sweetie as im laying on the table i would have got up and run away if i could have ran .
I wrote letters to my family just in case of the what if,but i am here and it is the best decision i ever made for myself.
Chap stick and underwear and cough drops where what i took with me
Good luck sweetie

greetings

i had to have my rny done open due to previous surgeries i'd had. i was 463 lbs, bmi of 66, and 48 years old. it went fine. if you have to go open, it'll be okay! it hurts, but for me, the pain was worth it. i'm a little over 4 years out, my bmi is now 23.5, and i feel wonderful!

i also had my surgery at a hospital 2 hours from home -- the pillow for the ride back is a great idea!

best of luck to you!

deb

Yep, I was 440 at surgery, had lap RNY and no problems.  I think the surgery took a bit longer than what we were expecting - or at least DH was expecting as he was waiting for me.  However, the doctor never said anything about having any problems and was more than likely a operation room back-up. 

I took very little to the hospital.  Chapstick, I wore home the same clothes I walked in with, socks, a sports bra so the 'girls' weren't roaming around on their own, some books (I didn't read very much!), my cell phone (I didn't give out the hospital number, I just turned off the cell if I didn't want to be bothered and called people when I wanted to call), and some hair conditioner for when I washed my hair with the hospital's shampoo - ick!

It's normal to be scared.  This is a major surgery.  However, I was in the same boat as you - if I didn't have surgery, I was SURE I was dead; at least with the surgery, I had a chance to LIVE.  I had surgery December 2007 and I have lost 215 pounds in 15 months.  Would I do it again? YES!!!!  I made peace with myself that even I died on the table, at least I was trying to do something to save my life - and save my life is exactly what this surgery has done.  You are certainly in my prayers - not only on Thursday but in the days to come.

Be Well,
Jana

Day of surgery i was 422 and right before I went into the OR, my doc said he may not be able to even do the RNY due to me needing my galbladder taken out and a hiadal hernia to be repaired and I had a small internal cavity (like anything on me was small!!).  He was able to do all three procedures thankfully and all done laproscopically. 
I took chap stick, slippers and toiletries.  The pillow is something I wish I did take but didn't.  Good luck and try not to stress too much.  Wishing you all the best!!!

I would take some books if you like to read. I hate daytime TV.
The most important thing post-op is GET OUT OF THAT BED!!!!!  It will hurt, but, if you don't move you'll develop complications.
If you have a hand held video game, you might take that.
LEAVE ALL VALUABLES AT HOME!!!! Theft does happen.
If you're on any meds, take a list, cause you'll be asked that lots of times.
Treat the nurses well, that will make your stay more pleasant. (I'm a retired nurse, and know what I'm talking about)
Since I will have to be away from my fur babies, I'm taking a plush cat with me.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!