Question:
Am I the biggest LAP patient?????

I had my surgery September 19th in Birmingham, Alabama. I was all prepared for it to be an open procedure but I ended up being able to have it laparoscopically!! My BMI at the time of surgery was 75.9 and I weighed 591. Has anyone else this size had LAP? I've had no complications and feel GREAT! Lots of folks have told me they think I might be the biggest LAP patient and I'd love to know if it might be true. What do you think???    — F. D. W. (posted on October 1, 2002)

October 1, 2002
There was a dude on the Discovery channel or TLC and they did a WLS story on him. I want to say he was near 600 pounds and he had it lap. It was horribly gruesome looking the way they kept jabbing those tools in there and the doc did say that he was borderline not being able to do it lap, but he got it done...he just had larger tools, so I guess it is possible. I suppose it depends on how comfy the surgeon is. Mine wouldn't do it on anyone with a BMI over 50...that left me out! lol
   — Paula Prichard

October 2, 2002
My doc won't even do it open on anyone with a BMI over 55!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 2, 2002
My doctor wouldn't even do a lap on anyone over a 40BMI! I was quite disappointed. My friend and myself both had to get an open, but our other friend was allowed a lab, and what an easy time of it she had! I really don't know what they go by, but she just weighed less than we did, but was just as big in her abdominal area, oh well...open or lab,we were all just happy for the new beginning, but I can say with all my research this is the highest BMI I've seen them do a lap on...so Congrats!! And best wishes for your new future!
   — Raven ..

October 2, 2002
My surgeon is Dr. J.K. Champion of Atlanta, GA, and he is the surgeon featured on the Discovery Health Channel segment on WLS. The patient in that program weighed approximately 600 lbs. and had a very successful lap RNY. I think that he has lost over 200 lbs. to date. My daughter's BMI was 70 and she also had a completely uncomplicated lap RNY performed by Dr. Champion. The ability to perform laparascopic surgery on more obese patients rests primarily with the skill and experience of the surgeon combined with the availability of longer, more specialized laparascopic equipment. His web site is www.drchampion.com. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

October 3, 2002
We just did a lady with an 85 BMI laparoscopically last friday!!! Totally uncomplicated! Here's the most amazing thing.....we're at the same hospital that F.D. (the original poster) used. She weighed less than he did but because of her height her BMI was 10 points higher. Congratulations to both of these deserving folks!
   — ronascott

October 4, 2002
I was 13 lbs shy of 500, but had a B.M.I. of 81.0 when my Lap RNY was performed. In addition to the skill of the surgeon and the length of the instruments, another factor that determines whether a procedure may be performed Lap is the weight limit of the table. A different OR table is used for Lap procedures, because the surgeon isn't making long incisions to move internal organs. Instead, the table is moved around so that the organs can "fall" out of the way. My assistant surgeon told my husband and me that I was upside down, both vertically and horizontally, and had the black and blue marks from the straps holding me in place to prove it! = } But I did well, and I continue to do so, with almost 200 lbs lost. Sounds like you're doing great! Congratulations and may God continue to bless you!
   — CaseyinLA