Question:
Has sucessful laparoscopic surgery been done on anyone with a BMI 55 and up to 70?

When I checked into bariatric surgery in my town, the information they sent me said you should enter their medical weight management program if your BMI was over 55, before they would consider surgery. My BMI is probably at least 70. I have already been through every weight loss program you can think of. Now I really would like to have the surgery.    — loucinda425 (posted on May 21, 2005)

May 21, 2005
Hi Loucinda, My surgeon has done a completely lap surgery on patients with a BMI as high as 70. His name is Dr. Aniceto Baltasar. He's an incredibly gifted surgeon. Another surgeon who has done lots of hand-assist lap surgeries is Dr. Robert Rabkin. Skill of the surgeon has everything to do with it! Let me know if I can answer any questions, okay? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

May 22, 2005
Hi. My bmi is 52 and anything that is over 40 and sometimes in the 30's are candidates for the surgery. If it is lower than 40 the person usually has to have some medical problems also, and if it is over 40 and over you can have it without any medical problems. Some surgeons want the patient to lose some weight before considering, but not all surgeons. My surgeon has not requested that. I hope this helps. If you need to, please feel free to email me. Hugs
   — Angelfirewithwings

May 22, 2005
Lucinda, My BMI was 65.5 when I had surgery. In 6 months I have lost 100.5 pounds now my BMI is in the 40's. I am very happy with the surgery and would have it done again in a heart beat. Brenda Brock
   — bbrock416

May 22, 2005
My BMI was 76 the day of surgery. I went to Dr. John Alverdy at the University of Chicago. He specializes in high risk/high BMI patients and his prefered surgical method is to do it Laproscopically. He feels that he can see much better using the monitors than if he had to open someone up. He was awesome. I really had little need for pain meds and I stopped using the pain pump before noon the next day. If you can travel, I would reccomend Dr. A. He does both the RNY and DS so you are not forced to have whatever your local docs provide. He will assess your current health situation and give you his most honest answer as to what procedure would be best for you. =) Good luck for a fast and easy journey to finding better health.
   — ImANewDee

May 22, 2005
Hi! I had a successful lap on May 3rd, 2005. I went in at 563 lbs and a bmi of 81. At first they were going to do an open, but at the last minute decided to try the lap and it worked. (Thank God!) My dr. was Dr. Lee in Hawaian Gardens, Ca (partners with Dr. Fobi). Good luck!
   — Scott D.

May 23, 2005
My BMI was 64.5 the day of surgery. He had no problem doing it laproscopic. I knew going in that there was a possiblity that he would have to open me up but he didn't. My surgery took a little bit longer than a smaller BMI person would have but I still didn't have any complications. He's a great surgeon and I owe him my life. Dr. Andrew DeWitt in Birmingah at Carraway Hospital is the best! :)
   — Barbara S.

May 23, 2005
Hi there! My BMI was 58.9 the morning of surgery and I had a successful lap rny with no complications. Make sure your surgeon is qualified and has experience operating on larger people and you should be fine. Best wishes.
   — Stephanie W.

May 23, 2005
My BMI was over 61 and I was done laparoscopically. Lap RNY's have been done on patients with BMI's over 80-- however, as the previous posters have said, it requires particular skill and experience. Check out the surgical profiles on this site and don't be afraid to speak up about your desire to have the procedure done laparoscopcially.
   — SteveColarossi