Question:
Don't laugh can I get LAP?

but I have had 2 previous abdominal surgeries, one of them was last yr to fix multiple hernias, I no longer have a belly button, it was sewed shut and I now have another new hernia between ribs and where belly button was, can I have a Lap Procedure or will it have to be open    — Grace H. (posted on June 1, 2002)

June 1, 2002
Sure, I've had 2 hernias, an exploratory operation, and 2 C-sections, and I still had Lap RNY done. But your Doctor will determine what is the best thing for you, but you can ask, and it wouldn't hurt:)
   — ncicewolfnm

June 1, 2002
I have a friend who went thru a perviouse surgery like you and she had so much scare tissue that they said that a LAP procedure would not be possible. Let me explain they insert a scope into the intestinal track and everything is done thru camera's almost like a robotic surgery. for you which one do you really think you would qualify for. IF I where you I would go thru with the open procedure so they can get view of your previouse operations
   — sheri B.

June 1, 2002
I may be wrong here, but it occurs to me that you are asking if NOT having a belly button will prevent you from getting a LAP procedure? The belly button is an area in which many surgeons will "hide" lap scars, but it's not necessary to have a belly button to have a procedure formed LAP. With your history of hernias, a LAP repair of those hernias and a LAP WLS may be "just what the doctor ordered" so to speak!
   — BethVBG

June 2, 2002
I don't know about EVERY surgeon, but two surgeons told me they would not likely do LAP on patients who have had prior absominal surgeroes becasue of the scar tissue.
   — PaulaM

June 2, 2002
I am having Lap DS on July 12. I have had a c-section and had my gallbladder taken out laprascopicly. It doesn't seem to be a factor in my case.
   — shelliehunny