Surgery Aborted (Please help)...

[SalOdyssey 441]

Anyone have their surgery aborted during the procedure because the surgeon couldn't inflate the abdomen enough to operate safely?

If so why?

What was your outcome?

What did you do afterwards?

What was surgeons course of action?

Thanks for all the feedback!!

[KindaFamiliar 3,867]

Due to my weight, this was a risk that went along with my surgery.

It was all about getting enough clearance around the liver to enable them access to the stomach (or something along those lines).

Even as they were prepping me for surgery, the surgeon made it quite clear that there was no guarantee that he'd be completing the surgery.

All he promised was that if it was possible, it would happen.

I assured him that, once I woke up, there'd be tears either way.

Fortunately for me, the operation was a success, so it was the 'best day of my life' kinda tears.

I know this isn't exactly what you were after, but I'm just sharing what my experience was in the hope that it may help with an answer for you...

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I was warned about this and it was a concern since I started at such a high weight. Additionally my surgeon doesn't impose pre-op diets. I spoke with my nutritionist and figured out a way to increase my Protein but eat very clean and low carb. I continued exercising regularly and made sure to get in plenty of Water. Thankfully my surgery went through with no issues. I think what happens in those cases where they cannot perform the surgery, the patient is placed on a supervised diet and as long as insurance clears it, they try again in 6 mths or whenever the surgeon feels it's safe.

[SalOdyssey 441]

Due to my weight, this was a risk that went along with my surgery.

It was all about getting enough clearance around the liver to enable them access to the stomach (or something along those lines).

Even as they were prepping me for surgery, the surgeon made it quite clear that there was no guarantee that he'd be completing the surgery.

All he promised was that if it was possible, it would happen.

I assured him that, once I woke up, there'd be tears either way.

Fortunately for me, the operation was a success, so it was the 'best day of my life' kinda tears.

I know this isn't exactly what you were after, but I'm just sharing what my experience was in the hope that it may help with an answer for you...

Problem is he says my liver was in beautiful shape and not in the way. He basically said he couldn't inflate me enough to get clearance to operate safely. Thanks for sharing!!

I was warned about this and it was a concern since I started at such a high weight. Additionally my surgeon doesn't impose pre-op diets. I spoke with my nutritionist and figured out a way to increase my Protein but eat very clean and low carb. I continued exercising regularly and made sure to get in plenty of Water. Thankfully my surgery went through with no issues. I think what happens in those cases where they cannot perform the surgery, the patient is placed on a supervised diet and as long as insurance clears it, they try again in 6 mths or whenever the surgeon feels it's safe.

Well I've been dieting on my own. He said he won't probably attempt the surgery till I lose at least another 100 pounds. At that point I am about 125 pounds away from the goal I set and wonder if I should just continue going at it forgoing the surgery. Or do I see another surgeon and get their opinion?

Just don't know what to do at this point.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

You might want to consult a second surgeon. My BMI was 73 DOS. My doctor performed surgery laporascopically via robot and had no problems with my liver. If you could loose 100lbs on your own, why would you need surgery? That sound a bit unfair. You don't mention your starting weight or current weight. There are a few forums for people with over 100lbs to lose. You may want to check those out.

[sbg224 318]

We have all lost weight, maybe not as much as that, but my problem as many others are keeping it off. It will be fantastic if you lose that much, but will you be able to keep it off. This surgery is just as much about keeping off the weight as it is losing the weight, just my opinion. I think you should get another opinion, but go with the surgeon that you feel connected with.

[SalOdyssey 441]

You might want to consult a second surgeon. My BMI was 73 DOS. My doctor performed surgery laporascopically via robot and had no problems with my liver. If you could loose 100lbs on your own, why would you need surgery? That sound a bit unfair. You don't mention your starting weight or current weight. There are a few forums for people with over 100lbs to lose. You may want to check those out.

@@BLERDgirl

Can you see my ticker in my signature line? Started at 688, went into surgery down 212 pounds. Lost that in 21 months. Still have 225 to lose to get to my 250 goal. Current weight 476. BMI surgery day 64.6.

We have all lost weight, maybe not as much as that, but my problem as many others are keeping it off. It will be fantastic if you lose that much, but will you be able to keep it off. This surgery is just as much about keeping off the weight as it is losing the weight, just my opinion. I think you should get another opinion, but go with the surgeon that you feel connected with.

Thank you! Going to research and make some calls in the AM.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Sorry I missed your ticker. I was looking at the info under the avatar. So you went in at 476. First of all, congrats on a job well done. You've done a lot of hard work to get to this point. Secondly let me encourage you to get second opinions and specifically ask about surgery with a high starting weight. I was 412 DOS surgery and I'm nearly a foot shorter than you so I had a lot of weight in a small package. I'm nearly 14 mths post op and down 114lbs from my highest weight of 414. I hope things work out for you. Please keep us posted.

[SalOdyssey 441]

Sorry I missed your ticker. I was looking at the info under the avatar. So you went in at 476. First of all, congrats on a job well done. You've done a lot of hard work to get to this point. Secondly let me encourage you to get second opinions and specifically ask about surgery with a high starting weight. I was 412 DOS surgery and I'm nearly a foot shorter than you so I had a lot of weight in a small package. I'm nearly 14 mths post op and down 114lbs from my highest weight of 414. I hope things work out for you. Please keep us posted.

Thank you! I definitely will. Right now till my post-op appointment I'm going to sit tight. Once I hear what he says, then I'll plot my next course of action. Until then I'll diet like I was before to continue losing weight.

[Miss_Sleeve_Bound 22]

Due to my weight, this was a risk that went along with my surgery.

It was all about getting enough clearance around the liver to enable them access to the stomach (or something along those lines).

Even as they were prepping me for surgery, the surgeon made it quite clear that there was no guarantee that he'd be completing the surgery.

All he promised was that if it was possible, it would happen.

I assured him that, once I woke up, there'd be tears either way.

Fortunately for me, the operation was a success, so it was the 'best day of my life' kinda tears.

I know this isn't exactly what you were after, but I'm just sharing what my experience was in the hope that it may help with an answer for you...

Problem is he says my liver was in beautiful shape and not in the way. He basically said he couldn't inflate me enough to get clearance to operate safely. Thanks for sharing!!

I was warned about this and it was a concern since I started at such a high weight. Additionally my surgeon doesn't impose pre-op diets. I spoke with my nutritionist and figured out a way to increase my Protein but eat very clean and low carb. I continued exercising regularly and made sure to get in plenty of Water. Thankfully my surgery went through with no issues. I think what happens in those cases where they cannot perform the surgery, the patient is placed on a supervised diet and as long as insurance clears it, they try again in 6 mths or whenever the surgeon feels it's safe.

Well I've been dieting on my own. He said he won't probably attempt the surgery till I lose at least another 100 pounds. At that point I am about 125 pounds away from the goal I set and wonder if I should just continue going at it forgoing the surgery. Or do I see another surgeon and get their opinion?

Just don't know what to do at this point.

Sal that is crazy! If everyone could lose 100lbs before surgery that surgeon would not be in business. Please seek a second opinion.

My surgeon wants me to lose 30 &&I've been struggling for MONTHS to do so. It's not impossible for SOME, but why should u have to? Why would be the point of surgery if u could? Follow ur gut &&seek a second opinion. In the meanwhile, keep exercising &&eating right.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Be glad this surgeon didn't undertake a procedure he couldn't confidently perform. He is only human, and I sure wouldn't want someone operating blindly on me. I wonder if it could be done "open" with an incision, instead of laparoscopically? You could also consult another doc. That one made the right call, IMHO.

[SalOdyssey 441]

Due to my weight, this was a risk that went along with my surgery.

It was all about getting enough clearance around the liver to enable them access to the stomach (or something along those lines).

Even as they were prepping me for surgery, the surgeon made it quite clear that there was no guarantee that he'd be completing the surgery.

All he promised was that if it was possible, it would happen.

I assured him that, once I woke up, there'd be tears either way.

Fortunately for me, the operation was a success, so it was the 'best day of my life' kinda tears.

I know this isn't exactly what you were after, but I'm just sharing what my experience was in the hope that it may help with an answer for you...

Problem is he says my liver was in beautiful shape and not in the way. He basically said he couldn't inflate me enough to get clearance to operate safely. Thanks for sharing!!

I was warned about this and it was a concern since I started at such a high weight. Additionally my surgeon doesn't impose pre-op diets. I spoke with my nutritionist and figured out a way to increase my Protein but eat very clean and low carb. I continued exercising regularly and made sure to get in plenty of Water. Thankfully my surgery went through with no issues. I think what happens in those cases where they cannot perform the surgery, the patient is placed on a supervised diet and as long as insurance clears it, they try again in 6 mths or whenever the surgeon feels it's safe.

ockquote>

Well I've been dieting on my own. He said he won't probably attempt the surgery till I lose at least another 100 pounds. At that point I am about 125 pounds away from the goal I set and wonder if I should just continue going at it forgoing the surgery. Or do I see another surgeon and get their opinion?

Just don't know what to do at this point.

Sal that is crazy! If everyone could lose 100lbs before surgery that surgeon would not be in business. Please seek a second opinion.

My surgeon wants me to lose 30 &&I've been struggling for MONTHS to do so. It's not impossible for SOME, but why should u have to? Why would be the point of surgery if u could? Follow ur gut &&seek a second opinion. In the meanwhile, keep exercising &&eating right.

Thank you! I am definitely seeking another opinion once I see him on Monday for my follow-up.

Be glad this surgeon didn't undertake a procedure he couldn't confidently perform. He is only human, and I sure wouldn't want someone operating blindly on me. I wonder if it could be done "open" with an incision, instead of laparoscopically? You could also consult another doc. That one made the right call, IMHO.

Most surgeons don't want to do an open procedure unless absolutely necessary. There are apparently far more risks and complications with an open procedure. I am definitely going to seek out another opinion after my post op appointment on Monday. Thank you!!

I'm wondering if the use of the Da Vinci robot verses doing it manually made any difference.

[Mistie 201]

I would consult another surgeon. If this doctor did not feel comfortable, that's fine. Find someone else. The first doctor told me to lose 135 before he would talk to me. Uh... If I could do that and do if long enough to have surgery, I wouldn't NEED surgery. As well, I consider how much longer that will result in my unhealthy weight.

I found another surgeon. She asked me to lose 30 pounds to get to a certain BMI to make surgery less of a risk. That was fine. I did. My hw was 454. My first appointment with my surgeon I was 440ish. Sw was 403. Two weeks post op and I am 382.

All surgeons have comfort zones. Find one who not only can YOU feel comfortable with, but who feels comfortable with you as a patient!

[SalOdyssey 441]

I would consult another surgeon. If this doctor did not feel comfortable, that's fine. Find someone else. The first doctor told me to lose 135 before he would talk to me. Uh... If I could do that and do if long enough to have surgery, I wouldn't NEED surgery. As well, I consider how much longer that will result in my unhealthy weight.

I found another surgeon. She asked me to lose 30 pounds to get to a certain BMI to make surgery less of a risk. That was fine. I did. My hw was 454. My first appointment with my surgeon I was 440ish. Sw was 403. Two weeks post op and I am 382.

All surgeons have comfort zones. Find one who not only can YOU feel comfortable with, but who feels comfortable with you as a patient!

Thank you! Finding another surgeon is most likely the next step, but first I want to fully understand what the issue was from this surgeon at my post op visit.

Keep up the great work!!

[patches4u 5]

Anyone undergo the sleeve w a bmi of 30? If so, how did it go?