Stapling Question ?

 

 

Just something I've been thinking about, what are the staples made of, metal, plastic or other materials? What happens to the staples after you recover, do they melt away like sutures or do they stay in place forever? If they melt away or fall off do they stay inside your body forever? I know sutures dissolve causing no harm to the patient, but what about the staples.

I was a professional automotive trouble shooter for 40 years, working for General Motors and Goodyear. I am now retired, but during my time in the automotive business I saw and used many different tools some worked well others failed. This brings me back to the stapler surgeons are using during WLS, are they the best or are they the cheapest the hospitals can buy, think about it?

They are made primarily from Titanium, though they have some other metals in them usually.  Titanium is the preferred metal because it works best with your body and is more hypoallergenic so your body doesn't see it as a foreign body as much and doesn't attack it.  Also doesn't rust.  Also doesn't set off metal detectors or pull when exposed to magnets like MRI machines.  They do not remove them, they do no dissolve.  They just hang out there forever.  Many surgeons (such as mine) will put in the staples using a staple gun that also cuts the stomach all in one motion.  My surgeon, for added security and safety, also encloses the staple line with glue to further re-inforce it from leakage and ensure a good seal until it has time to heal.  The glue does dissolve and get absorbed into your body and you pee/poop it out later, unbeknownst to you...

I looked them up on the web before surgery and found some good info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_staple

Also, if you are considering the VSG and aren't weak stomached (sorry for the pun) there are some good videos out there that show the actual surgery so you know exactly what you will be going through.  (I am sure there are for RNY, DS, and Band as well, I just never looked for them because I had already settled on the VSG for me)  Here is a good one:  (but it is an actual surgery so if that bothers you, don'****ch it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRBKdTjY2Rg

Hope that explains it all. 

Hi:Charlie, The input today on this question has been fantastic. You guys and gal**** it outside the park today. I can already see that this year is off to a running start. Is it because some of you are lighter on your feet, due to all the weight lost or are you just happy to hear from me. I know, it sounds like May West, just having a little fun, I'm happy for all of us. Tonight all I'm going to dream about is staples and staplers. I watched the videos, very informative. I'm okay with all the inners and blood, not grossed out. Just like you I'm going with VSG. Already found a good surgeon at the Cleveland Hospital In Florida. Now just waiting for approval. Hoping all is going well with your surgery. 
Happy 2012
88

good info I just wanted to add as you heel the scar tissue grows around the staples and further secure them . I have had several MRI s for my back and never had a problem at all

Hi: Thanks for your input. It's good to know, that if you're having an MRI you're not going to become a magnet. I too have back problems, and traveled through the tunnel many times, I hate them.
Happy 2012
88

just to add to the info you have already been given...

the instruments used for surgery are very expensive and made to ridiculous specs that can hold up to even the most ridiculous scrutiny by plaintiffs attorney.
usually its the tissue that fails, not the staples.

also, in an MRI  there can be a star effect thrown around the metal, but rarely is a problem clinically