Having surgery in 10 days and worried about adhesions.

I have had 3 prior abdominal surgeries last one being a hysterectomy 9 years ago. I am concerned because the MD stated that if the surgery is projected to last over 6 hours, he will have to not do the DS and just do half of it and the other half later. This was just skimmed over at the initial visit. Has anyone else heard of this before?

Not sure who your surgeon is - but if this is a valid concern, I would suggest he do the procedure open and not even try the laparoscopic tools.

The first time I heard of this was about 45 minutes before I went into the OR. I kid you not---my surgeon dropped that bombshell on me while I was wearing a hospital gown! When I woke up in recovery, the first thing I said was "Did he do it ALL?"

Who is your surgeon? I'm not saying this is the case here, but this is a stunt often pulled by what we call "Bait and DON'T Switch" surgeons who can't really do the DS. The patient gets a Sleeve, and, of course, loses weight great for the first 6 months to a year. Then when they try to get the Switch added, their insurance company says "Nope, you've already used up your 'one per lifetime' WLS coverage. Sorry! (not!)"

I agree with Val---tell him to just do it open, and that if you wake up without a complete DS, well, you've already got your lawyer's number on speed-dial.

I just recently had a revision from RNY to DS, and I had 5 prior abdominal surgeries. My surgeon told me right away that it would be done open and NOT laparoscopic, due to the amount of prior surgeries. Even with doing it open, it was a very difficult procedure! Make sure you know what's happening before you go under!

best of luck!!

Thank you everyone for your replies! I am off to see him today for the pre op visit. I am going to discuss with him the risk vs benefit of just doing it open. I do not want to come out and have something other than DS! 

Cuphouse, two things:

First, there is no way to know how the adhesions will be until your surgeon gets in there...unless you know from your last surgery that the adhesions were bad, in which case they are probably bad again.

Second, since you are very clear that you want DS and only DS, make sure you tell the surgeon this (it sounds like you will do this today) AND write it on your consent form yourself - something like "no gastric bypass" or no ERNY, or "if DS is not possible do not do other procedure" - whatever the case may be. We have seen too many stories, esp for patients having revisions, who woke up with something they did not want and were now stuck with. Don't let this happen to you.

Larra