What if laparoscopic will not work?

[meggiep 57]

Through the esophagus? I'm confused....why would they need to go through that? I've watched a bunch of surgeries on Youtube and never once seen them do anything to the esophagus.

Have you ever wondered how they get the bougie into your stomach to use as the guide? It needs to be inside your stomach, in the part that is kept.

[ybnormal 21]

It IS still major surgery, Apple-saucey, but it's much easier, less painful, less risk of complications and faster recovery time done lap. I can understand his concerns. They will have you sign a consent form before you go in for surgery, stating that if they run into problems and for some reason can't do it lap, that they have your permission to do it open.

[kids05 4]

Its very rare that a laproscopic procedure has to be converted. I worked in an OR for @ 3 years and only saw it once...and it was an emergency. Nothing like scar tissue or a fatty liver. Fatty liver is the biggest deterrent for this surgery I think. When you go in lap, you use a retractor to hold the liver out of the way, if they cannot safely keep the liver up out of the way...well, that would be a problem. It seems that your BMI, adherence to pre op diet and I'm sure your doc has run all your labs...you should be in good shape. I did have scar tissue that was in my surgeons way...he just had to remove it to keep going...still lap! That one incision was a little sore from the work there, but no worse than if you end up having a hernia repair at the same time (lots of people do) You can only know this is what you want...lap or open, and will get through it either way. Your recovery will be a little longer with an open procedure, but the chances are so low that you should be positive (yet realistic) and you will be fine.