Question:
How many surgeries in the past are to many?

My sister-in-law wants to get this surgery she is 30 years old and in the last 10 years she has had 9 surgeries, all in the stomach including 3 c sections, I thought I was at a seminar in Cleveland and they said something like if you have more than 2 c-sections they won't do it? has anyone heard of this before, she is bugging me bad about it, and i want to get her off my back, she is a very competative person and is very jealous of the fact that I am going to do this, I have told her 100 times to call herself, but she won't.. Please don't get me wrong she is heavy and needs the surgery as well and I feel she would feel so much better, but i just can't take her anymore, Thanks,,    — kelkel319 (posted on June 25, 2003)

June 25, 2003
Hi Kelly- a few of us posted about this subject a few days ago. Mine is under Scar Tissue: How much is too much, or something like that. What I have learned from the postings is that it depends on how much scar tissue we generate, which is such an individual thing, and the skill of the WL surgeon. Good Luck :o)
   — Mea A.

June 25, 2003
Hi Kelly, I too worried about that. I have had 5 surgeries in the past 3 years. 1 c-section, 1 DNC (miscarriage)and 3 in the past 11 months. Ruptured appenix, gallbladder removal and back surgery. I was approved and told that one does NOT have to do with the other. Hope that helps. Kathy
   — katcrashkitty

June 25, 2003
My surgeon Dr philip Schauer in pittsburgh specializes in the more challenging surgeries. He does lots of things like these. Pittsburgh is pretty close. He even does folks ith multiple belly surgeries LAP.
   — bob-haller

June 25, 2003
Some surgeons may prefer to do an open surgery rather than a lap on someone with that history and it difenitely increases the chances of a lap needing to be converted to an open during surgery, but I doubt it would rule her out alltogether.
   — Amber L.

June 25, 2003
I have had 4 c-sect, tubal, gallbladder removed, and knee surgery, my surgeon didnt even blink, just asked if I was a pro at c-sect's, I said hey you go with what works...lol. I dont think you will have a problem...good luck! D.
   — Darlene H.

June 25, 2003
it shouldn't stop her from having WLS with an experienced surgeon, however I just HAVE to add that if she isn't even motivated to do any of her own research (such as this question) then she is certainly not ready for such a big step as WLS! and of course, that's just my 2cents :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 25, 2003
I've had 3 c-sections and I had the surgery 9-30-02. 334/240/160.
   — aprilbaree

June 26, 2003
I hade necrotizing pancreatitis nearly 3 years ago, and developed a Staph infection in the hospital. It required 12 abdominal surgeries- 1 every other day for a month. Even with ALL of that scar tissue (and I was allowed to heal "naturally", not with stiches, so there was a TON of scar tissue), I was considered for a Lap RNY. My surgeon did an abdominal ultrasound and CT Scan to check for adhesions first, and told me that he would attempt the procedure. He also warned me that I may very well wake up with only a couple of scars but not having had the RNY. But HE DID IT!!!! It took a little longer (about 4 1/2 hours compared to the usual 2) but he pulled it off. Keep in mind that he had to deal with a 22" horizontal scar that goes all the way across my abdomen (it looks like a frown under my rib cage), and he was still able to do it. So your sister-in-law has real hope! I am 14 months post-op, and down 110#. Good Luck! -Shelli
   — kultgirl