Question:
I had gall stone surgery 13 yrs ago do you think I can have lap surgery

   — teresa B. (posted on October 6, 2001)

October 6, 2001
Teresa, I had gall bladder surgery in 1987 and still was able to have my WLS done lap in '01. My surgeon said it depends upon the amount of scar tissue.
   — CaseyinLA

October 7, 2001
It depends on the amount of adhesions you have from past abdominal surgeries. I had my gallbladder removed and my surgeon is planning a lap procedure for my WLS. Unless he runs into a lot of scar tissue inside he said this will be no problem at all. Best of luck! :-)
   — Alice J.

October 7, 2001
I had a "traditional" gallbladder surgery 15 years ago and a completely successfuly, complication-free lap RNY last year. I had "significant adhessions (scar tissue)", but they didn't present any problems for the surgeon. He removed all the old adhesions during the lap RNY, adding only 10 minutes to the total operating time (1 hour, 10 minutes). A lot will depend on the experience and expertise of your physician. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

October 7, 2001
I also had traditional gallbladder surgery over ten years ago. My surgeon only recently started doing WLS in the last few months. He did not feel comfortable doing this procedure on me via lap. He did not say it could not be done he said he felt more comfortable with open incision and that it would be better for me. Make sure you understand even with best intentions of having lap surgery they may get in there and have to do open incision based on what they see. Good luck!
   — Beth F.

October 8, 2001
I agree with some previous posters that a lot will depend upon your sugeon's experience with lap procedures. I'd had two previous abdominal surgeries with some extensive adhesions, yet my surgeon was able to do my RNY lap with no complications. It won't necessarily preclude you from lap surgery, but I would really discuss this with my surgeon. He should be honest about whether he feels comfortable with doing lap procedure on someone who has had previous abdominal surgeries. Good luck!
   — Maria H.