Question:
I have heard that if you have a bmi over 50 you cannot have it done lap. HELP!!
— Kimberly T. (posted on August 27, 2002)
August 26, 2002
Kimbely, it all depends on the surgeon's preference. My surgeon will not do
lap on someone over 350lbs. I have seen here on AMOS where some surgeons
perform it on those over 500lbs. If you already have a surgeon, call their
office and ask their nurse. If you haven't chosen a surgeon yet, make this
a part of the criteria. For me, I wanted someone who performed my surgery
lap (though I am aware that they may need to go once once they get in),
specialized in RNY and transected...Good luck to you!
— karmiausnic
August 26, 2002
My BMI was 52.5 and I had LAP the fellow who was in the hospital room with
me was heavier and shorter than me had LAP. It all depends on the surgeon.
Good Lux
— Robert L.
August 26, 2002
My surgeon said the same thing. But he said a BMI of 55. I had a BMI if 61
at the time of surgery. When he set my surgery date, he told me that there
is a slim chance I will have it done LAP. He may have said that to scare
me. Well, I am 11 days post op and he DID do it LAP. I have a total if 6
Lap scars, 2 extra then normal because if my weight. But they are already
healing nicely. Good Luck!
— Shavonne P.
August 26, 2002
Jen my wife BMI was 59 LAP took just 1.5 hours. Much depends on your
surgeons skills and wether he has the extra long LAP tools for larger BMIs,
they are VERY expensive. LAPs easirer recovery and near zero chance of a
post op hernia may be worgth finding a different surgeon.
— bob-haller
August 26, 2002
Ihad RNY Lap on 7/17/02 My weight was 334 and my BMI was 53.9 I have had
no problems at all. Every surgeon is different but mine Says anything 400
lbs or over is a Maybe for lap He also goes by the shape of your stomach
when you are laying down. If your tummy flattens out when you are laying
down you are a GOOD candidate for Lap If it stays domed when you lay down
you are aa maybe for Lap. Hope this helps Judy F
— JUDY F.
August 27, 2002
Ahhh, yet another wls myth. As your BMI gets higher it is harder to do it
lap. That doesn't mean that it cannot be done lap. Good luck to you.
— Cinna G.
August 27, 2002
5'7 with a BMI of 55 and had Lap in around 1.5 hours... SO I would think
that it will depend on your surgeon. Good Luck!
— Beffy W.
August 27, 2002
5'7 with a BMI of 55 and had Lap in around 1.5 hours... SO I would think
that it will depend on your surgeon. Good Luck!
— Beffy W.
August 27, 2002
5'7 with a BMI of 55 and had Lap in around 1.5 hours... SO I would think
that it will depend on your surgeon. Good Luck!
— Beffy W.
August 27, 2002
Kimberly, I was scheduled for the LAP procedure and I was 5'3, 317 pounds,
and a BMI of nearly 57. My surgeon said it could be done because of the way
I carried my weight (mostly in my lower belly and hips). My upper abdomen
and area where they would operate was pretty decent, therefore allowing the
LAP. I only ended up having the OPEN RNY b/c I found out that the hospital
where I wanted to have the surgery disn't offer it, and my surgeon would
have to do it in another hospital in another borough. I was a fool, and I
should have went to the other hosp. and had the lap b/c my hospital stay
ended up being a nightmare...but that is another story. It all depends on
your surgeon, your body and shape, and the willingness of the doctor.
— Kelly C.
August 27, 2002
Lap RNY on Aug. 5. BMI= 63. Great surgeon!!
— jen41766
August 27, 2002
Kimberley -- my doctor, at Rush Pres in Chicago (Dr. Frantzides) ONLY does
lap. I do not think he has BMI limitations -- he is a lap surgeon, and one
of the experts in the country. Call him. He is the BEST. (btw, he is
adorable too.) Good luck!!!
— Tamara K.
August 27, 2002
HELLO,
OF COURSE YOU ARE NOT TOO BIG FOR THE LAP SURGERY! ESPECIALLY IF YOU GO TO
DR. FRANTZIDES AT RUSH-ST. LUKES PRESBYTARIAN. HIS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS
312-942-6511. I HAVE MET A FEW OF HIS HAPPY PATIENTS THAT WERE OVER 450
POUNDS AND THEY WERE GLAD THAT THEY HAD IT LAP BECAUSE YOUR STOMACH DOES
NOT LOOK LIKE YOU HAD SURGERY AND THE HEALING PROCESS IS FASTER THAN THE
OPEN PROCEDURE. YOU ALSO GET A BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE ROOM WITH STATE OF THE
ART EQUIPMENT. HIS WEBSITE IS BARIATRICEXPERTS.COM
I NOTICED THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DR. ALVERDY AT UIC FOR THE LAP SURGERY. I
DON'T RECOMMEND HIM BECAUSE HE MAKE HIS PATIENTS WAIT TOOOOOOOOOO LONG FOR
THE SURGERY AND HE REQUIRE HIS PATIENTS TO DO SOME OR MOST OF THE FOOTWORK
AS FAR AS GETTING APPROVAL AND HE HAS MINIMUM EXPERIENCE. IF YOU WANT TO
WAIT A LONG TIME FOR YOUR SURGERY, BY ALL MEANS GO TO DR. ALVERDY. BUT IF
YOU WANT TO GET THE BALL ROLLING AND GET A MORE EXPERIENCED DOCTOR GO TO
DR. FRANTZIDES!!!!HE IS FANTASTIC!
IF YOU GO TO DR. FRANTZIDES' OFFICE HE WILL SET UP YOUR SURGERY DATE WITHIN
6,8 OR 10 WEEKS FROM YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION. HIS ASSISTANT DOES ALL OF
THE FOOTWORK FOR YOU AS FAR AS THE INSURANCE APPROVAL IS CONCERNED! PLEASE
READ MY PROFILE ALSO. DR. FRANTZIDES ALSO HAS MORE EXPERIENCE IN THIS
SURGERY THAN THE OTHER CHICAGO SURGEONS. HE IS A GREAT SURGEON. PLUS LOTS
OF PATIENTS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH DR. ALVERDY'S WAITING POLICY AND THEY
GRACIOUSLY WENT OVER TO DR. FRANTZIDES FOR HIS EXPERT SERVICES!!!! PLEASE
CONSIDER GOING ON TO HIS WEBSITE AND CHECKING OUT HIS CREDENTIALS AND CHECK
OUT WHAT HIS OTHER PATIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT HIM. JUST GO TO THE FIND A
SURGEON SECTION AT THIS SITE AND CLICK ON DR. C. FRANTZIDES AND OBSERVE
WHAT ALL OF HIS PATIENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT HIM AND GIVE HIM A TRY. I
GUARANTEE THAT YOU WON'T BE DISSATISFIED WITH HIS SERVICES. GOOD
LUCK!!!!!!
SHIRLEY/ DOWN 80 POUNDS/SURGERY DATE-03/04/02
— Shirley M.
August 27, 2002
My surgeon told me I was too big to have lap done (BMI 64) because they do
not have the extra long tools at the hospital where I would be getting
surgery done. He stated that is the only reason I don't do all lap
procedures. So hopefully the hospital you will do to will have the longer
equipment!! Good Luck and Best wishes. Kim
— kimmarie68
August 27, 2002
Kimberly, I do not believe that to be true. I know that the support group
I work with in Virginia Beach has had several patients go through that have
had a weight in the 4-500 lb range and their bmi was probably above that
and they had laproscopic. I believe the deciding factors will be your
doctor's expertise, (we have several surgeons in our area that do not do
laproscopic as they are not trained in it); your insurance company (some
won't approve laproscopic) and your personal body (your surgeon will make
this determination after examining you.)
Betsy in Virginia
— Elizabeth K.
August 28, 2002
I am having the surgery done lap (at least that's the plan!)on Friday and I
have a bmi of 54. I was told that the determining factor was whether or not
you had had previous open surgery on the upper abdomen that might have
caused scar tissue.
— Kathy S.
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