Question:
How much scar tissue will hinder RNY?
Hi everyone- Just read Rosa's posting about her scar tissue preventing her WLS. So sorry that happened to you, Rosa. I'd like to know if anyone has had RNY after the old gallbladder removal (not LAP) and a C section, bikini cut. Her posting really got me wondering if I'm going to have a problem too. The gallbladder removal was in 1987 and the C section in 1992. Any response appreciated. Thanks, Mea — Mea A. (posted on June 20, 2003)
June 20, 2003
I had lap RNY 6/15/03. Prior to that surgery I had more than you can count
on both hands. I had open gallbladder removal (before they did it lap) and
I have had several abdominal surgeries including two bikini cuts, a few
laproscopies through the belly button and one large vertical incision. I
had numerous female problems in the past. I also had and still have a
large incisional hernia. During my most recent surgery before RNY my
surgeon cleaned up my adhesions, that was in 1997. During my RNY my
surgeon said he did remove some adhesions but did not elaborate if there
was a lot. I do know he was skilled enough to remove the adhesions and
work around my large hernia during a lap RNY. He had warned me I might
have needed an open RNY due to past surgeries and the hernia. Fortunatly
for me I only have six small healing incisions. As we know each person is
different and so is a surgeon's skill. The best thing to do is discuss
this with your surgeon ahead of time so that they may plan for an extended
surgery if needed. It makes for a more difficult surgery when the surgeon
finds unforseen problems when they begin the surgery. It's best he be
prepared ahead of time. Good luck.
— adeas
June 20, 2003
Adhesions from the removal of my appendix in 1952 (yes, 1952) resulted in
the surgeon cutting my spleen requiring two blood transfusions and twelve
days in intensive care. Open RNY 2/21/02; 325/210 (with no exercise and
many complications). Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
June 20, 2003
I had an emergency gallbladder surgery ten years prior to my lap rny. It
was an open surgery and the surgeon was a slice and dicer. My guts were a
mess. I had also had a Lap ovarian drilling done five years before, and
that surgeon was awesome. He told me my guts were a mess, and he stayed
away from it! LOL! I talked with my surgeon about it prior to surgery and
he was prepared to clear it all out, or open me up if he had to. Getting
rid of that old scar tissue is very important, especially for weight loss.
You don't want knots and such poking up through your skin. If your surgeon
is aware of the possibility of scar tissue, and you are okay with the
possibility of being opened up, you won't need to worry at all. It is
actually better for you to get that tissue out, than leave it in. Good
Luck!
— Sharon M. B.
June 20, 2003
i think the answer to your question really depends on your wls surgeon
& his experience with a 'previously operated on' abdomen. i had 4
previous abdominal surgeries before my wls, one of which was to remove
adhesions that had 'glued' my lower abdomen organs together into one big
mass & also twisted & kinked my bowel. my wls surgeon, dr alan yale
newhoff, is a trauma surgeon & i forewarned him of what he probably
would find in the way of adhesions. i figured if he can put people back
together after a horrific accident, he should be able to handle a few
adhesions. he told my honey after surgery that he removed enuf adhesions to
equal the size of his fist. if you feel abdominal adhesions might be a
problem for you, it might serve you to have a talk with your surgeon about
it before your wls. good luck.
— sheryl titone
June 20, 2003
Hi, I had major abdominal surgery in '91, gall bladder (open) that turned
into pancreatitis where I healed from the inside out which formed a
6"X9" scar. During my 117 day hospital stay with that ordeal I
had 17 surgeries all resulting in more scar tissue that formed. The scar
was removed in '93 by the doctor doing a TT on me with a lot of surgical
mesh put in me. On 5/7 when the doctor did the open RNY on me it took him 2
hrs to get thru the new scar tissue that had formed, but he got thru it. I
did not have a C section but my TT incision is all the way down in that
area, but the open RNY incision should not go down to where your C section
incision is at. My open RNY incision only goes down to the navel area. So,
for the most part you should not have a problem, but only your doctor can
determine what is best for you. open RNY 5/7 down 36#.
— ChristineB
June 20, 2003
My surgeon does LAP RNYs on people with multiple previous belly surgeries.
The patient before my wifes surgery had 3 C ections, galbladsder and a
hysterectomy, plus a VBG 15 years ago. Her family said her belly was a
racetrack of scars. LAP RNY went fine but took 5 hours. I all depends on
your surgeon.
— bob-haller
June 20, 2003
I had both ovaries removed through bikini cuts (like a C-section), one in
93 and the other in 2000. My Lap RNY went fine. I did however hear the
surgeon speak to the patient before me who had told me she had multiple
abdominal surgeries, tell her that depending on scar tissue hers might
bedone open. She told me later on that it was able to be done lap. Good
luck!
— Fixnmyself
June 21, 2003
I was a revision. I had open VBG 8 years ago and was revised to open RNY a
year ago. My surgeon went thru my old scar (he actually cut it out). There
were a lot of adhesions according to the surgical tech (who happens to be
my neighbor) and my revision only lasted and hour and a half. I really
believe that the skill level of the surgeon is important.
— Ali M
June 21, 2003
I will be having laproscopic RNY surgery in less than 2 weeks July 2nd.
YIPPEEE!!!!!! One of my questions when I went for my pre-op appointment
was about the adeheisions (sp) that I may have had from previous surgeries.
I had gall bladder BIG SCAR in 1975 also apendectomy the day before. In
October of 1980 I had my tubes tied bikini cut. I look like a checkerboard
LOL between scars and stretch marks! My surgeon said it would take a
little longer but he did not forsee any problems with the surgery.
— Dorothy N.
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