Question:
Why was I told I do not qualify for lap band.....
Just because I have had previous c-section? I cannot figure why I am ONLY elegible for Roux-en-y because of my previous c sections. If anyone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it. -Julia — [Deactivated Member] (posted on October 27, 2003)
October 27, 2003
Does your surgeon do Lapbands? On the surgeon page it only shows Open RNY
and Lap RNY. Of course that does not mean he doesnt do LapBand, but it
might be something you might want to ask him.
— TheresaC
October 27, 2003
I've never heard of a C-section causing someone to be unable to have the
lap-band AT ALL.
It is true that prior abdominal surgery might cause scar tissue which would
interfere with doing a laparoscopic weight loss surgery, but that would be
true for the lap RNY as well as the lap band.
The lap-band is USUALLY placed laparoscopically, but it CAN be placed with
an open procedure if your surgeon does it. So, I don't think a C-section
would bar you from having the band done. You may want to find another
surgeon who is willing to do an open procedure lap-band if that's what you
really want. After all, you have to live with the surgery, so it should be
your decision which procedure you get. Good luck.
— K M.
October 27, 2003
Because the last I heard LapBand is only approved in the US to be done by
laproscope. I could not have it either because of adhesions from prior
surgeries.
— ChristineB
October 27, 2003
FDA approved or not, I know for a fact that there are American surgeons out
there who are willing to place the lap-band in an open procedure. If you
ask about this on the SmartBandsters mailing list ( url is
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters/ ) I know you'll find
some people who had the lap-band done open instead of lap.
It seems very fishy to me that a c-section would be reason to refuse to do
the lap-band at all. MANY women have had c-sections, hysterectomies, and
tubal ligations, and I've never before heard of someone being turned down
for a lap-band because of such prior surgeries.
According to a lap-band professional on the aforementioned SmartBandsters
mailing list, the rate of conversion from lap to open in banding for a
competent lap-band surgeon should be quite low - like 1 in 100 or 1 in 200.
It seems like it's easier to do than a lap RNY is.
My suspicion is that Julia's surgeon is not very confident in his
laparoscopic and/or banding skills, and therefore doesn't want to even make
an attempt even though it is POSSIBLE to do banding on a prior c-section
patient. So, that's why I would recommend GET A SECOND OPINION!
I know that, for myself, the RNY was not something I wanted, so I would
have pursued the lap-band even if it meant an open incision. Fortunately,
my doc managed to do it laparoscopically even though I was quite a
heavyweight (BMI was 58).
Good luck. Hope it works out the way you want it to.
— K M.
October 27, 2003
Find a different surgeon. Mine does LAP RNYs on people with multiple belly
surgeries including VBG revisions. Its just a matter o finding the right
surgeon!
— bob-haller
October 27, 2003
Just a NOTE: the lap band can be done OPEN in the U.s. Legally! I had a
lap band put on Oct 8; due to adhesions, it could NOT be done lap and it
was done 'open'.
I agree with the other poster; if your surgeon said you could NOT have the
lap but was willing to do the RNY I would seek a second opinion.
— star .
October 27, 2003
Hi Julia, I am with Bob Haller on this one. My surgeons also does lap-band
on people with c-sections. Find another surgeon for another opinion.
— M B.
October 27, 2003
I just called the surgury group and was reassured that I do (most likely)
qualify. I was told at the Bod Pod (required body composition test)
measurement that I did not qualify for lap-band. But when I called, she
asked the location of my scar and said I could attend the lap-band
education class (required) and most likely be able to have lap-band. It is
up to the surgeon in the end. I feel much better because I was VERY
interested in lap-band. I would have done RNY if that was my only option
but I am glad it is not. Thanks for all of the help with this!
-Julia
— [Deactivated Member]
October 28, 2003
The reason I had to have an open because of previous surery was that the
surgeron had no idea what scar tissue was going to be there. Because of
adhesions and scar tissue that can be produced around the area of previous
surgeries no one knows exactly what they will find inside when they go in
so an open provides the best opportunity to see what is there and to best
handle it.
Lillian
— Lillian B.
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