Newbie with questions for Post-Ops

Hello everyone, I have been lurking on this site for a little while and figured that I will finally post(I have some questions now) I was finally given the go ahead from BCBS surprisingly approved on first try....I guess they are getting sick of paying for all the Drs appts with the Diabetes...lol...anyway...I am going through Emory Bariatrics, Dr Lin will be my surgeon. I will be having the nutrition class, cadio, pulmanary(sp?), and chest x-ray on the 25th....I am starting to get excited(not about the tests but the fact that thins is actually happening) not sure when the endo look at my stomach is yet(guess they schedule that after the other tests) I do know that very thing will be done at Emory hospital. As for the surgery that is yet to be determined, BCBS gave me until 7/6 to get it all done or I have to start process all over again(yuk!!) I have been reading about a leak test that they do after the surgery...was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on that? I know that I am going with RNY but havent decided if I want open or lap. I am leaning more towards open(make sure the doc as plenty of space...lol) but wanted to get anyones opinion on it, and really any advice that anyone has would be great....thanks in advance and sorry this post is sooo long.....erica

Hi Erica, I had my surgery done Lap at Emory-Dunwoody. The leak test is no big deal (other than having to drink some awful tasting liquid). It takes about 10 minutes and then they look at the film to make sure everything is flowing correctly. I couldn't have anything to drin****il after the test was done. I think the recovery time from lap is less, however, you want to do whatever your doctor recommends. I felt mostly back to normal (except for being a little tired) after 1 week. Good luck getting all your tests and scheduling the surgery. If you have any questions or anything, just send me an email. Laura

Even though my surgery isn't for a couple more days I can tell you this from experience----I had my gall bladder out laparascopically several years ago and other than a bit of achiness from the gas pain in my shoulder and groginess from the anesthesia, i was fine--- and up and on the go again in no time. As for open---well, I had 2 c sections- i cant tell you how much I wished they could have taken my babies laparscopically!! LOL----the pain after being cut with an incision that large was pretty rough---especially the first time. It takes about 6 weeks to recover from open verses about a week or less with lap. For me, the decision was made in that information alone. I have a family i have to take care of- I cant afford to be taking 6 weeks to recover from this.....good luck to you. Forgive me in advance for the improper capitalization and punctuation- I'm used to using my cell phone for texts and generally dont even bother with them.

Hey Erica I used C. Daniel Smith at emory and I have BCBS also. I know I thought I was going to have a Endoscopy also but BCBS would not cover it and ended up doing a Barrium Swallow in it's place. That is also the leak test you do in the end. After surgery you drink something white thick and yucky. you are layed on a table and they ask you to turn around a few times so after surgery you have to turn on your side stomach other side and back about 3 times and then they X-ray ya... You are turning to coat your stomach with the stuff you drank so they can look for any leaks in your body... The turning was the worst it's the day after surgery and your still pretty sore. Take pain meds B4 you go down if you can!!!! NAT

The leak test was a breeze for me. They wheeled me down to the xray room where I sat in the wheelchair until they were ready, then I had about 4 swallows of the mint flavored chalk, stood upright while they took pictures then sat back down again. cake. I also think lap is better then open for a few reasons. For one, oddly enough, my sister who is a doctor says she can see MORE with lap then open procedures (odd isn't is?? you would think it was the other way around). Two, you have a faster recovery time, and Three, your chances of developing a hernia post op are GREATLY reduced compaired to folks who have had the operation open. I know some docs only do open or are not comfortable with doing lap; all these things you have to weigh with yourself before you have the surgery done - talk with your doctor! Either way, best of luck getting your surgery Kia - 62#

Hi Erica, I just wanted to add my 2 cents for whatever thats worth I just read an article about obesity and laprascopic surgery. It has recently been shown that the c2o they have to use to blow up your tummy can have some really serious side affects in the morbidly obese. I will be happy to post it if you or anyone else would like to read it. Also, I had my gallbladder out in 1997 lap. I was in severe pain when I woke up and wasn't even allowed to drive for 8 weeks. I think it depends on the patient and the surgeon, each surgery has to be looked at individually. My surgery is next Friday. If I had been given a choice I would choose lap, even with what I have learned and my past experience. However, I have no problem with the open. I agree with everyone else here. Basically you'll have what the doc says anyway. I imagine I just confused you, I think I confused myself

Thank you everyone that has replied to my post, and a really big thank you to Tooter your site was a wealth of information. I got a call this morning at 7:30am from Dr. lins office to schedule the EGD which will be 6/2 bright and early at Crawford Long....so I am getting really excited....just hope that they give plenty of knock you out juice, because my gag reflex works really good....lol....I will keep ya'll posted on the progress. I still have many things to think about, mostly the form of RNY that I want to have, I will need to speak with the Dr and get his opinion.. Talk to you soon Erica