Question:
Dr. Waits every do Laparoscopic Operations?

I am being my process with Dr. Waits in Atlanta - My appt is in March. My friend had the procedure done and said I need to go the Laparoscopic way. Dr. Waits is on my Aetna insurance and I like his office. Should I look for another Doctor?    — Christie N. (posted on February 22, 2002)

February 22, 2002
It's my understanding that Dr. Waits does not do lap procedures, neither does Dr. Appel. Dr. Champion does and quite probably some of the other docs in the Atlanta area. I would check the GA surgeons for more information. Perhaps Dr. Burrowes is another one, but I'm really not sure if he does lap or not. Best wishes to you on this journey. There are pros and cons for both procedures. I had open and it was really the only way for me due to previous abdominal surgeries (gallbladder, 3 C-sections, tubal ligation AND an appendectomy) It would have been very difficult to complete my surgery laproscopically. That said, my scar is ugly and long, but then again..so are my stretch marks LOL
   — Sharon L.

February 22, 2002
I have to echo what Sharon said. There are pluses and minuses to both open and lap. I know that many people want lap because of faster healing time, but you are also under anasthesia for longer during lap. And as Sharon said, you may have other reasons for needing to have your surgery open. Do some research and talk to the doctor about both procedures. Don't pick one just because someone else says that's what you 'should' have.
   — garw

February 22, 2002
Please understand that it is not the rule-of-thumb that laparascopic surgery takes longer than an open procedure. That is entirely related to the experience and the expertise of the surgeon involved. Four of us in my family have had lap RNY surgery and the longest operative time was my own at 1 hour 10 minutes. I also had had four prior abdominal surgeries, including a traditional gallbladder surgery, and that presented no problems whatever in having my RNY laparascopically. I had significant adhesions (scar tissue) related to the previous gallbladder surgery and those were corrected easily at the time of my RNY. Laparascopic surgery will allow you a much shorter recovery time post-op, but whether you have a lap or open WLS, the "inside work" is still the same and is considered a major surgery either way. Take the time to talk with several surgeons, ask frank questions about the number of surgeries performed as well as their personal mortality rates and incidences of complications. I'm sorry that I can't answer your question regarding Dr. Waites, but our surgeon was Dr. Champion in Marietta and he performs all his surgeries at Emory-Dunwoody Medical Center in Atlanta. Feel free to write me privately if you have any questions. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

February 22, 2002
Dr Waits does not do lap procedures , but if you meet certain criteria, his partner, Dr. Macik, is doing some lap procedures.. I am not sure what the criteria is that you have to meet though.. you would have to call the office and ask.. 404-252-2220
   — Gina Landers