Question:
If a person seeking WLS has had previous surgeries (gallbladder removal, c-section)

is it likely that they could get a refusal for the LAP VS. OPEN surgery due to previous internal scarring?    — Tiffany A. (posted on December 8, 2004)


December 7, 2004
My surgeon does LAP on people with previous belly surgery. You may have to shop around for a surgeon with the skills and experience needed. They are out there.
   — bob-haller

December 7, 2004
I had my gall bladder removed lap. almost 10 years ago. I had my wls lap with no problems 2 years ago. I would just add that to your list of questions for your surgeon and see if he has any problems with that. Good luck to you.
   — ckreh

December 7, 2004
I have had 2 c-sections and I had Lap with no problem. Best wishes, Maggie B.
   — M B.

December 7, 2004
You should not have any problem with that. In the past I had had my appendix and gallbadder removed, along with 3 c-sections and a tubal ligation. I am now one week post op and had a lap RYN, and doing absoultely fabulous. If anything I think those other surgeried helped. I didn't have near as much pain as my sister-in-law did when she had WLS. Also I kind of knew what to expect ahead of time. With a great Dr and a good support team, you'll do just fine!! Good Luck!!!
   — lauramclendon

December 8, 2004
I had my surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and the surgeon would NOT do it lap due to scars from previous surgerys. Gallbladder and hysterectomy..I had open and no regrets,infact this the incision is better than the gas I hear everyone talk about..either way..it is sooo worth it.
   — Kathy S.

December 8, 2004
I can only tell you from my experience. I had a C-Section, 2 ectopic pregnancies, left ovary removed, gallbladder removed and 7 hernia surgeries (all around my belly button). I have mesh from hip bone to hip bone and belly button to pubic area. I am one who produces lots of scar tissue. My surgeon, Dr. Hugh Houston, performed my surgery Lap (RNY). It took him 4 1/2 hours to clean out all the mess of scar tissue before he could even start the bypass surgery but he did it all Lap. It was one of the least painful surgeries I have ever had. I'm sure it depends on the skill of your surgeon whether he/she can do it lap or not. Mine is highly skilled and an excellent surgeon. Dr. Houston said he would do it Open only if he could not perform it Lap. Good luck to you. May God bless you with a surgeon as skilled as mine.
   — jnetk

December 8, 2004
I have not had WLS yet...BUT...I have had a c-section and 2 LAP proceedures...1 tubal ligation the other an apendicitis. I have scar tissue, but had no problems or complications. I was told by my PCP that that was fine...will see the surgeon today...good question for me to ask. Thanks.
   — Laura G.

December 8, 2004
My family calls me the walking railroad tracks. LOL. I've had c-sect, surgery for endometriosis, complete hysterectomy, gall bladder removal, & major hernia repair. I had no problems at all having the RNY Lap, he did have to make a couple of extra tiny holes to get there, but all in all it was a breeze. Good Luck to you.
   — KellyJeanB

December 8, 2004
2 years before my Lap RNY I had 12 surgeries (every other day for a month, for debridment for acute necrotizing pancreatitis), in a 35" horizontal incision that was left open during that time, and they let heal by itself. SO.... this left a ton of scar tissue and opportunities for adhesions. When I went in the morning of the RNY, my surgeon told me I could end up being converted to open if there wasn't a safe way to get in.... or he'd put in the scope and have to exit without doing ANY surgery. But... I woke up 5 hours later having had the Lap. In fact, he made 5 little incisions instead of 6 because the scar tissue helped pull things more out of the way for him :) A year after, I had my gallbladder out Lap too, no worries - same awesome surgeon.
   — kultgirl

December 9, 2004
I haven't had my surgery yet, but my surgeon sees no problem with performing my RNY lap... I've had a c-sect and abdominal hysterectomy.
   — lil_firestorm

December 9, 2004
my dr said that anything below the belly button should not get in the way. good luck
   — Peggy R.

December 10, 2004
Thank you all for replying to my question. I feel so lucky to have a place like this were I can post questions. -Tiffany
   — Tiffany A.

December 10, 2004
i had open heart surgery and a splynectomy to remove my spleen and they still did the surgery it took longer than normal the doctor also said that there was a lot of scar tissue and he had to cut it out which is why it took so long he said some doctors wont do it because of scar tissue if there is a lot and he said he would just close me if there was but he did a good job surgery was dec 1sr and all is well so far
   — Peggy W




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