Question:
How many people who go for lap get opened during surgery anyway?

I was told me that 60 to 70% of lap patients end up having to be opened on the table due to liver or other problems. Does this sound right? Thanks, guys.    — CarmenLin (posted on June 24, 2002)

June 23, 2002
Absolutely not a big number like that! Jen my wife was warned she was at risk to wake up a open. Because she was a SUPER MO. Doc said big risk 15%. Thankfully she took 1.5 hours LAP. I would call your surgeons office and ask for clarification. I think there number is well under 5% but will inquire.
   — bob-haller

June 24, 2002
I think this percent is extremely off. I had my surgery done lap and the doctor said there is a small chance that he may have to cut me open. He has never had to cut someone open during a lap, but he does tell you about the chance to prepare you if the open is necessary. He said the only reason he would have to cut me open with in case of bleeding or sometype of failure with lap equipment during surgery. Again he has never had that happen. My surgeon did every test possible before my surgery to assure us that there were no hidden problems with my stomach, liver, kidneys...etc. If your surgeon is well trained on Lap, you will be fine. Trust me the lap is the only way to go.
   — Cindy M.

June 24, 2002
I don't know what the percentage is. I passed all of my pre-op tests with flying colors. When my surgeon went in lap, she found I had bad scar adhesions from a c-section I had many years ago. The adhesions were so bad that she had to open me up in order to work on my intestines. So the bottom line is that you never know until they actually get in there and see what they have to work with.
   — Jennifer A.

June 24, 2002
I went to a surgeon who ONLY does lap (but can do open)... and he has never had to convert during the procedure. I had 12 previous abdominal surgeries, leaving a 20" horizontal scar across my abdomen, right where he needed to work. I was told that if anyone would need to convert to open mid-procedure, it would be me. My surgery was VERY long, but didn't need to be converted from Lap to open. As a matter of fact, because I had so much scar tissue he made one less incision than usual- the scar tissue had my liver tucked out of the way very nicely. I think that 70% number is exaggerated. Good luck to you!
   — kultgirl

June 24, 2002
that number seems very exaggerated!! I can't say the national number, but my surgeon has done over 500 LAP surgeries (more now) and only had to do 3 open. And he knew before hand which ones they would be because they had too much scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries, etc. So that number doesn't sound right, just like the previous posters said.
   — Lezlie Y.

June 24, 2002
It depends on what surgeon you have. With my surgeon, he said he has only had to open about 5% of his patients (he has been doing WLS for over 30 years). My liver was extremely large and fatty, but he still managed to keep the surgery lap.
   — Kelly M.

June 24, 2002
Hi, I'm not real sure on the percentage, but I think it really depends on your surgeon, his skills and experience. My surgeon attempts and largely completes lap on all of his patients and we all vary in size from "lightweights", to over 600 lbs . However, at my inital consultation, he did warn me that although he would attempt lap, there is always a chance that something may not go correctly and that I could wake up with my surgery being open. I was fine with that, and appreciated him tellimg me that upfront, as I was animate about having lap, but would have taken open if it were open or no surgery.
   — Carey N.