Question:
Has anyone had LAP RNY at 375 lbs. or more?
My husband is 6' and weighs 375 and they said he had to have it open. Is this just this particular surgeon or do they all do that? — Lizette A. (posted on September 18, 2003)
September 18, 2003
I am 6'3"; at the time of my RNY, I weighed over 500 pounds. My
surgery was performd laparoscopically. There are few conditions that
preclude the surgery from being performed laparoscopically. The question
that your husband must ask himself is whether or not he's willing to wait
and find a surgeon who will do the operation laparoscopically. I know that
for me, knowing that I would not be cut wide open, and that my recovery
time would be greatly reduced, gave me great comfort going into the
surgery.
— SteveColarossi
September 18, 2003
Some surgeons require the patient have a BMI of under 50 to do the
procedure LAP rather than open. Also some surgeons do not have the longer
arm instruments for the heavier patient. Did you ask the surgeon why they
could not do it Lap? With open, you are in surgery much less time. I had
an open gall bladder surgery, so my RNY will be done open also but I was
expecting that from the beginning. I'm not concerned, am sure I will heal
fast just like with my gall bladder. This was I'm not "out" as
long either which is a big plus in my book.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 18, 2003
i was just under 400 pounds when i had my rny done lap. it depends on the
surgeon and the way the persons body is made. i did not think iwould be
able to have lap but i am so glad i did the healing time and recovery was a
breese!
— janetc00
September 18, 2003
Without sounding too strident on this issue, which often comes up, a
qualified and experienced surgeon can do a RNY laparoscopically in less
than 100 minutes. As there is less cutting, less stiching up afterward and
fewer intrusions into the operative field (less cutting means less blood),
the actual time that the patient is under anesthesia should be shorter with
a laparoscopic procedure. Furthermore, without the large incision, there
is less of a chance of post-operative infection.
— SteveColarossi
September 18, 2003
My wife Jen table time with a BMI of over 60 was 1.5 hours. You will ned to
shop around for a surgeon.
— bob-haller
September 18, 2003
For to add sghe was LAP. With a EXPERIENCED LAP surgeon table time isnt
longer with LAP.
— bob-haller
September 18, 2003
Finding an experienced and qualified laparascopic surgeon is the most
important factor. Our surgeon routinely performs lap WLS on patients
weighing 500 lbs. or more. My daughter weighed 406 lbs, and my husband
weighed 375 lbs. at the time of their lap RNYs and had completely
uneventful surgical and post-op experiences. Unfortunately, many surgeons
without the advanced training and experience to perform lap surgery, often
offer their patients a number of "good reasons" to have open
surgery. One of the most common myths is that lap surgery will take longer
than open. In the hands of an experienced lap surgeon, a routine,
uncomplicated lap RNY generally takes 50 minutes to slightly over an hour.
Fewer complications, less post-op pain, and more rapid post-op recovery are
also positive benefits of a lap surgery done by the "right
person". If the options are available to you to take the time to do
some research, and possibly be willing to travel out-of-town or
out-of-state to get an experienced lap surgeon, it would be worth it to you
to do so. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
September 19, 2003
It really depends on the Dr. I started at 401 lbs, and I had the lap
procedure done, I didn't really experience alot of pain either. I was
really satisfied, being I had never had surgery before. I would suggest if
your hsuband can, try finding a Dr. that specializes in the lap, thats what
I did. i had surgery on 6/30/03 401 lbs and no I am down to 326 lbs. as of
9/18/03. Take care and good luck.
— laurie D.
September 19, 2003
There are some surgeons out there that have the experience and proper tools
to do a SMO LAP and if that's extremely important to your husband then keep
looking for the right one. I wanted it LAP but I wanted my surgeon more so
I resigned myself to the open. I do not regret it in the least and I even
had incision healing problems that took 4-1/2 months and a 2nd surgery to
totally heal up. The incision issue was so minor in the scheme of things
and really did not affect anything else as far as my recovery. I went back
to work at 2-1/2 weeks. He just needs to decided for himself what he can
live with. Just know that if you don't get a surgeon with an excellent
track record of completing LAP on SMO then you might as well go with the
open as he will likely end up with it anyway and will end up with less
holes and anesthesia time.
— zoedogcbr
September 19, 2003
I did at 440. No problems at all. Of course, I'm convinced that I have
the best surgeon available...
— jen41766
September 23, 2003
I had my surgery done lap weight 394. I started out at 412, and lost some
weight as my dr. required before my surgery. He said that losing weight
before helped him be able to do it lap as opposed to open, because my liver
shrunk a little bit, to help keep it out of the way, and my skin was a
little loser. But I was told by my surgeon that men are sometimes harder to
do lap because they carry the their weight differently than women.
— Rebecca Johnson
September 23, 2003
I WAS 456 POUNDS AND HAD IT DONE LAP. THE SURGERY WAS REALLY EASY. I HAVE
LOST 200 POUNDS IN 9 MONTHS. GOOD LUCK!!
— MARTHA Y.
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