Does my high BMI make me a higher surgery risk?

Kiana38 · May 3, 2006

Hi all,

I'm scheduled to have surgery July 19 at the Wish Center in Wa State. They have a long evaluation process which is why it is taking so long to get in.

I'm more afraid now though because I've read that a lot of you are 40-55 BMI, but I am much larger than that. They have "estimated" my BMI to be between 62 and 68. (I have excess Water weight so it's hard to guage.)

And even more scary, my surgeon has only done 70 lap bands. I have a lot of problems including kidney failure so I need to have the surgery done closer to home and that is the only place I could afford to self-pay.

Should I be extremely scared?

Thanks,

Tina

Alexandra · May 3, 2006

Kiana, I don't know about "extremely scared" but yes, your higher BMI does make you a higher risk for surgical complications. The fact that your doctor hasn't done a million bands is less important than whether he is very experienced in laparascopic surgery in general. If in his opinion you are good to go for surgery, then you are. Please make sure that your surgeon has a strong background in this type of surgery, and be sure to discuss your fears with them. They don't want an adverse outcome any more than you do, believe me, so it's unlikely they'd be willing to proceed if they didn't think it was safe.

Good luck!!

Kiana38 · May 3, 2006

Thanks for the reassurance! I am a combination of nervousness, excitement, worry... I just want it to be over and then the real work begins. lol

I will ask my surgeon about his laparoscopic history for sure.

Thanks!

Tina

ralheit · May 3, 2006

Hope everything goes well for you. This is the place to be for support and encouragement, that's for sure. Best of luck:)

Ericalynn13 · May 3, 2006

Hi, Tina, my BMI was 75.2 the day I went into surgery. The "wish center in WA state" would not even place a band in me. That man had me crying when I left, he ranted at me for almost an hour that the only surgery I could have is the bypass and I'm too obese to have the lap-band and on and on. I really REALLY disliked the way they talked to me and the way I was treated by them.

I'm totally basing my statement on my personal opinion, but please, if there is any way for you, find another surgeon. My Surgeon that placed my band, Dr. Neal, had no issues with my body, my weight, my port placement or my birth control, all of which the Wish Center totally freaked out over.

Like I said, just my personal experience. According to my surgeon my BMI had no bearing whatsoever on the success or risks of my surgery (except the going under part - but that was all realitive to any body size person getting put to sleep and brought back awake).

Please feel free to email me if you would like to talk. ;-)

Kiana38 · May 3, 2006

Thanks for this information Erica. It makes me feel a lot better and I am researching Dr. Neal in Olympia tomorrow. I sent you a PM.

Tina

CCBSTX · May 3, 2006

Good luck Tina! Just like you are already doing, research and ask questions.

Shawn

JulieNYC · May 3, 2006

I had my lap band placed on 4/10/06 at NYU and I had a BMI of 64. It was a textbook perfect surgery and I was voluntarily back at work 3 days later. As I understand it, the increased risk is with the anesthesia. My doc had done at least 250 people larger than me, so I believe it's absurd for someone to tell you you can't be banded due to your size.

Follow the pre-op diet religiously (assuming they give you one) to reduce the risks of surgery.

Good luck,

Kiana38 · May 3, 2006

Thanks for all the warm replies. You all are very reassuring and have calmed me down a lot.

It makes me feel not quite so alone to hear from those of you who started out at 60+ BMI. I was beginning to feel like the biggest one here, and wondering if anyone could relate.

:grouphug:

Tina

Ericalynn13 · May 3, 2006

Also Tina, we had a thread going awhile back about 300+ pound bandsters. Since the person who starts out with a higher BMI has a very different journey then the person who starts with a very low BMI, we were using it to talk and express ourselves about the journey. I don't have time right this moment to find it for you, but when I do, I'll try to bump it up so you can see it. :-) ~ Erica

ReneBean · May 3, 2006

I started with a BMI over 59. No problem with surgery whatsoever.

Good Luck!

babsintx3 · May 3, 2006

Hi Tina,

I agree with the earlier poster. Please go to Dr. Neal in Olympia. I hear he is a good surgeon and has worked with higher bmi patients. MY BMI was 54 when I started and now is 28.9. I started at a weight of 334. Yes, your risks are higher, but that would apply to any surgery you have at a high BMI and my risks were much higher being morbidly obese. Relax. Everything will work out great!!!

Babs in TX

334/180 ish

-150 ish

Elisabethsew · May 3, 2006

I also had a BMI of >60 but was not considered higher risk than someone with a lesser BMI. Surgeons and anesthesiologists are concerned about smoking history, type of birth control used (the "pill" is associated with a higher risk of pulmonary embolism), previous surgeries, age, prior experiences with anesthesia, sleep apnea, etc. BMI alone means little, it's the total medical/surgical history and physical assessment HAVE to be considered.

PhotoNut · May 3, 2006

I bumped this thread up today after this conversation reminded me of it. Have a look:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=214298#post214298

vinesqueen · May 4, 2006

Hi Tina, you also might look at NWWLS. www.nwwls.com

My husband had a BMI of something like 80, which is basically a meaningless number. He weighed 600 pounds at the time of his band placement. You will want to go with someone who's got experience with your special needs.

The inial banding is only the beginning of the journey. You really need to make sure that you have really good aftercare lined up. I am not familer with the wish centers, so I cannot comment on their aftercare.

I wish you the best of luck in deciding what to do.