Question:
Anyone out there having WLS with these previous surgeries?

I have had 3 C-sections, cryosurgery, tubal ligation, a tuboplasty, partial hysterectomy, fractured pelvis, and fractured left tibia-fibula. I managed to get through ALL of those, but had a very hard time with the last C-section. I'd like to hear how anyone that has gone through these operations or others that have also had WLS~I'm wondering if there is anything I should be overly concerned about? Won't the WLS be in or around the same general anatomical areas? I'm thinking my body is tired, you know? Would you please share some of your experiences? Thank you!~~    — yourdivaness (posted on July 26, 2002)

July 26, 2002
My sister is having lap RNY in Oct. She has had 3 C-Sections, an open gall bladder removal, and a Ripstein Procedure (a type of bowel surgery). The doc says it will be fine. Just think, with all that scar tissue, the ins. will probably be more apt to cover a tummy tuck later on. Good Luck.
   — Tina B.

July 26, 2002
I have had 2 previous C sections, my daughters are 7 and 4 now. My first C section was an emergency surgery. I was in the hospital for over 2 weeks and had many infections and abcesses. I had a drain in my stomach for months. It seemed to take forever to heal and was quite painful. My second c section was planned and a much easier experience. Because of my previous healing and infection problems I was scared to death to have WLS. To my suprise all has went well and has been complication free. I had open surgery and was cut from under my breast bone to the top of my navel. I didn't have any outside stiches or any staples. All was done internally. I had a small drain for the first 3 days after surgery, but it was removed before leaving the hospital. I have had very little incision pain and it is healing beautifully. I am almost 4 weeks post op and could not be more pleased with my surgeon and my entire surgical experience. I think because of the extra weight hanging over after my C sections that the pain was much greater than having it long ways on my stomach. My stiches and staples with the C section were hidden under a layer of fat and often got sweaty and irritated. This incision is easy to care for and easy to keep dry. I'm feeling great and thank God and my surgeon everyday that I made it thru with such ease. If you have any specific questions please email me at [email protected]. Good Luck to you!! Tonya
   — Tonya H.

July 26, 2002
Wow! You are 2 surgeries ahead of me. And I thought I was the punching bag going in for more punches. I started worrying that people might think that I was a glutton for punishment. I had a c-section, back surgery, breast redux/lift, tib/fib redux with pins and plates, then again for pin removal. I am sprinkled all over my body with scars. The Lap procedure was *by far* the easiest surgery that I have had. In both the pain and recovery. I just felt like I had done too many sit-ups and I felt tired and weak. But other than that, it was a piece of cake after all of these other surgeries. The only thing that could hold you back is if your surgeon believes that you have too much scar tissue at the site. But you will have to discuss that with him. Hope this helps. RNY 11/01, 9 lbs. to goal!!
   — Cheri M.

July 26, 2002
Went back for a re-count...with my WLS, you are 3 ahead.
   — Cheri M.

July 26, 2002
Ok, since we're confessing to our ugly surgical history, and I promided myself I would be honest, I'll share mine too. I've had an Ahille's tendon repai, right anterior shoulder reconstruction, three D&C's, 5 ureteral stent placements, a LAP for lysis of adhesions, right third finger tendon repair, two cerclages, removal of a tube and right ovary after a ruptured ectopic, a c section, and double parathyroidectomy. I also had open distal RNY on May 28th and a revision on June 28th due to adhesions and scarring a length of my intestine shut. Honestly? Sure, the RNY hurt, but the repair of that torn tendon in my finger HURT so bad! I didn't feel like anything could lessen the pain of that one. I don't think I slept for more than 20 minutes at a stretch after that procedure. My surgical background is a great source of embarassment for me. How much do I attribute to obesity? Quite a lot actually. Some of my injuries I sincerely feel wouldn't have been as severe if I hadn't been so overweight. I didn't count all the procedures, I don't want to know how many times I've been on that table.
   — NicoleG

July 26, 2002
Hadiyah, prior to my lap RNY, I had had 2 C-sections (vertical incision), an abdominal hysterectomy (vertical incision), and a "traditional" gall bladder surgery (diagonal, upper abdominal incision), along with some assorted orthopedic work. The RNY is a surgery that involves the upper abdomen, so your previous C-sections and gynecological surgery won't be a consideration. I did have a significant number of adhesions (scar tissue) as a result of my gall bladder surgery, but those were effectively removed and "cleaned up" during the lap RNY with no problems. The lap RNY was by far the "easiest" surgery that I have ever had, and I always considered myself a real surgical "veteran" :-) It is still, however, a major surgery which requires general anesthesia, so even though you may feel great post-op, compared to previous surgeries, it is critical that you allow yourself plenty of rest and recovery time. Take advantage of friends and family who want to help, and don't overdo...always a bit of a problem for lap patients who feel so good that they forget that the "work" on the inside is the same as an "open" surgery....only the outside incisions are different. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

July 26, 2002
You show me yours and I'll show you mine. Here is my surgical history. 6 D&Cs, 5 Shirodkar Circlage, 1 C section, Hysterectomy, Gallbladder, Ovarian Cyst surgery, Surgery to remove an ovary, Surgery to rearrange intestines, Surgery to remove a 5cm kidney stone, and now WLS. I am 3.5 months post op and down 63# and feeling absolutely great.
   — AJC750