Question:
WHEN DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN HAVE ALAP OR NOT

WHAT DO YOU ASK A DOC TO SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL HIS SURGERIES ARE.    — ELLYN B. (posted on April 26, 2002)

April 26, 2002
Hi there, I had lap on the 12th of April.My Doc was trained with lap for six years. I do want to say that he told me that if he has any doubts of the lap he will open. I had a whole list of questions and my doc answered everyone. Do not be afriad to ask. Hope this helps.
   — sarah C.

April 26, 2002
The first surgeon I saw told me I was not a candidate for lap because of previous open gallbladder surgery. He didn't even examine me to make that determination. That made me do more research and post a question of my own here. What I've discovered is there are surgeons that do lap procedures and then there are lap surgeons, drs. who specialize in the lap procedure. I have appointments set up with 3 different lap surgeons now and am confident (after speaking with one on the phone) that I will find a dr that will at least try to do the procedure lap. Good Luck
   — Lisa S.

April 26, 2002
ATTEND support group meetings! SEE HOW HIS OTHER PATIENTS ARE DOING. bE CERTAIN TO PICK A SURGEON WHO STRESSES AFTERCARE AND SUPPORT.
   — bob-haller

April 27, 2002
My surgeon told me at the initial consult that I was a candidate for lap. He also told me that if any problem occurred, that he would convert to open, if necessary. In terms of the doctors experience, I just asked him how often he did the surgery and for how long he'd done it. I also managed to stammer out a question about whether he'd ever had anyone die. He was a lot more comfortable answering the questions than I was asking them! Now I know that a good surgeon expects you to ask these hard questions!
   — Kathy J.