Question:
If I weigh 575, is it possible to have the operation laparocopically?
Or, is it an open and shut case, so to speak? :) My BMI is 82.5 and I carry my weight fairly well. a lot of it is lower (legs, back, sides) so I was wondering if that made a difference? — Scott D. (posted on October 25, 2004)
October 24, 2004
I cant tell you the 'max' its totally up to the skill of the surgeon.
Hopefully you have found a surgeon already. It can be hard to find a
surgeon that is willing to do even an 'open' on a large person. But even
if you go in for lap there is no guarantee it will stay that way; yes its a
bit faster recovery; but the inside job is the same regardless.
— star .
October 24, 2004
I have a friend that had surgery done lap and she was over 500lbs. She had
the DS performed in two stages - first the sleeve gastrectomy and after an
almost 200lb weight loss it was followed by the switch part. She will be 1
year out next month. She doesn't post to OH, but if I am able to contact
her, I will ask that she respond to your question. My best,
Lyric
— Lyric
October 24, 2004
Generally doing LAP on patients with a higher BMI depends on several things
(1) the hospital facility; (2) availability of laproscopic tools that would
work on larger patients and (3) the surgeon's skill. Talk to your surgeon
and see what his experience level is.
— Cathy S.
October 24, 2004
Hi There,
Our surgeons have done laparoscopic procedures on patients who weighed over
600 pounds and on a woman with a BMI of 97. It all depends on your
surgeon's experience and your body lay out. Best wishes to you.
— ronascott
October 25, 2004
Scott,
Check out Dr. Robert Rabkin in San Francisco - he's one of the world's
leading bariatric surgeons - and has done lap procedures on people with a
BMI in your range. His web site is http://www.pacificsurgery.com/
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
October 25, 2004
Scott, with your high bmi, please consider the DS surgery rather than the
Fobi Pouch or the RNY. The DS has a far greater success rate with
supermorbidly obese individuals with weight loss and long-term maintenance.
<p>Please follow Dina McBride's advice and check out Dr. Rabkin.
Also, you should read Dina's profile. It is awesome and inspiring. My very
best wishes go out to you.
— artistmama
October 25, 2004
Most likely you won't be able to have it lap. Most surgeons do lap only if
your BMI is under 53. I live in California and that is what I've heard.
— Michelle M.
October 25, 2004
My surgeon did a man who weighed 585 one week after me back in October,
2002. His name is Hans Schmidt and is in Hackensack, NJ. He did the first
laparoscopic procedure in NJ back in 1999. Good luck to you. If you need
any further information, please email at [email protected].
— Steve B.
October 25, 2004
Scott It all depends on the surgeon. I started at 478 lbs with a BMI of
84.7, and I was done lap. My surgeon tries everyone lap, and if he can't he
tells you right up front he will switch and have to do open. The advice my
surgeon gave me was to lose as much as possible before surgery. I only
managed to lose 12 lbs. Since my surgery 3/26/04 I have lost 150lbs. and
have had no ill effects from the surgery. Best of luck to you
— shellyjoel
October 25, 2004
My doctor would not do the lap on anyone with a bmi of over 55. But I know
of people who have had a bmi in the 80's and have had the lap surgery done.
The way it was explained to me, if you carry most or alot of your weight in
your middle, it makes the lap difficult and dangerous. But you seem to
carry it elsewhere, so maybe you'll qualify for the lap.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 25, 2004
As others said, you may be able to have it lap. It all depends on the
surgeon, his skill. Many will tell you they will do it lap and if they
can't will do it open. My good friend had an Lap RNY and she was almost
600 lbs.
As far as the advise in one post to check out the DS, you should
investigate all the available surgeries. You have to make a decision based
on your lifestyle and what will work for you. Many will say one has a
better success rate than another, but that information should be taken with
a grain of salt. They are all successful, if you use the tool right. You
can see profile after profile on this web site showing the successes. I
know people that have failed also that is a reality, with the RNY, with the
DS and the Lap. You just have to work with what you are given.
All the best!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 27, 2004
Brenda Z, exactly where did this poster ask about the different types of
surgeries? I am getting fed up with the DS people touting that the DS is
THE surgery for the SMO every chance they get on a question. It's hogwash.
The only surgery that is right, is the one that each person decides will
work best for them. I will put my 252 lbs loss in 13-1/2 months, with an
RNY, up against a DS loss any day of the week. I am co-moderator of a
board for people over 400 lbs and/or BMI greater than 65. We have all
different surgeries represented on the board and all different successes.
<p>The long term success comes from the person and how they choose to
use their tool, assuming the surgery wasn't botched in the first place. I
am just a few months short of 2 years PO and yes I struggle with the right
food choices many times, but it still doesn't mean I haven't been able to
keep my weight in check. It has floated in the same 5-7 lb range since
April. I am fine with that. Not everyone was a volume eater and needs the
large volumes that the DS allows. I was and still am a sweets eater.
However, I am able to eat much less sweets and if I go too far I am paid
back. But I am able to eat way more sugar than most RNY's, yet because I
keep up my exercise and balance the bad with the good (high protein) I am
able to maintain. I'm sure I will have to always work at maintaining and
fight the food demons but it works for me. I do not push the RNY on any
one or claim it's way better than the DS. The DS does not have the long
term track record with the health issues and so it has many unknowns. At a
150cm bypass I have some malabsorption problems of some meds. I'd hate to
think what it might be with the short common channel of the DS. Each body
is different in how they respond, so there is so one surgery fits all.
<p>If a person asks about the various surgeries, fine, then tout
away. Otherwise please e-mail them privately as most of us do realize that
one size does not fit all and are sick of hearing that the DS is the only
surgery for the SMO. I think at 442 lbs and a BMI of 65.3 I certainly
qualified for the SMO tag. I know the RNY was the right surgery for ME and
only ME.
<p>I apologize in advance to the people with DS surgeries who realize
that it was the right choice for them and not for everyone and respect
peoples wishes to choose another surgery and do not push the DS on them.
My post is for the few that repeatedly do the "DS is best for the
SMO" routine. Respectfully, Christine
— zoedogcbr
October 27, 2004
Hey Scott: I hope it's ok that I am writing to you. It's Anne remember
me? I did not know you were considering surgery? I hope you get all the
answers you are looking for. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you I am thin
and gastric bypass was a wonderful thing. However, am not sorry I had the
surgery. I still have 100 pounds off and have a long way to go. I am
actually looking into having a revision. Please e mail me if you wish to
or I can answer any questions you may have.
Take care Anne
— Anne H.
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