Anyone wake up to find they had an "open" lapband surgery?

[singledad167 0]

I was banded on the 7/14. When I woke up from surgery I found an incision from just below my breast bone to my belly button. The doctor said because of the size of my liver they could not do the surgery laproscopically and had to do an open surgery. I was not expecting this, and will require much more recovery time, which I had not planned on and was expected to be back to work next week, but I doubt I'll be able to return. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

[mrshobo 0]

pb punisher

I woke up to an open lapband removal because of scar tissue. It was a big disappointment. I thought I would be up and around in a couple of days but, it has been five weeks and still recovering. I am off work for the summer so that helps. Hope your recovery goes well.

[Sades 4]

I haven't had that happen but I was warned prior to my surgery that if they needed to that they would do that. Were you not made aware of this prior?

[mrshobo 0]

Sades, I was but, just wanted the same ease as when it was placed. Had lap going in, thought I would have lap coming out.

[camjay 0]

Hi. Sorry to hear you had to go through this. My surgeon did explain to me that this could happen if there was difficulty and he made me sign a form saying I would agree to this. It was the first thing I asked when I came around in the recovery room - whether he had to open me up or not - fortunatley he didn't.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. xx

[atperk 0]

Did you do any kind of liquid diet before hand, to shrink your liver? If so, how long?

[KayleighsMommy 16]

PBPunisher, I am sorry you woke up to that nasty suprise :eek: I was so concerned they would get in and have liver problems...I tried to get my doctor to promise to open me up if needed... he would not commit to it

I was sooo glad evrything went well with the lapband portion of my surgery.

I guess (in my opinion, at least) waking up with an open incision is better than waking up without being banded.

[singledad167 0]

pb punisher

I woke up to an open lapband removal because of scar tissue. It was a big disappointment. I thought I would be up and around in a couple of days but, it has been five weeks and still recovering. I am off work for the summer so that helps. Hope your recovery goes well.

Sorry to hear it. Why did you have your band removed? Were you having problems w/it?

[singledad167 0]

I haven't had that happen but I was warned prior to my surgery that if they needed to that they would do that. Were you not made aware of this prior?

No I wasn't, he didn't mention it at all.

[singledad167 0]

Did you do any kind of liquid diet before hand, to shrink your liver? If so, how long?

No, only 24 hour liquid diet, and there was the problem I think. It might not have changed anything, but I think I would have had a much better chance.

[singledad167 0]

PBPunisher, I am sorry you woke up to that nasty suprise :eek: I was so concerned they would get in and have liver problems...I tried to get my doctor to promise to open me up if needed... he would not commit to it

I was sooo glad evrything went well with the lapband portion of my surgery.

I guess (in my opinion, at least) waking up with an open incision is better than waking up without being banded.

I'm sure I'll look back on it that way. Right now with all the extra recovery time, and the extra pain, I kind of would have like to had the option to try to reduce the size of my liver, and do it again. But I'm sure I'll be happy he did it in the long run.

[Leslee 0]

Hi, I would also like to know what kind of pre-op diet you were on. I am being banded on Aug 15 and I have to be on "liquids only" for 2 weeks. I'm terrified of having an open band procedure.

[singledad167 0]

Hi, I would also like to know what kind of pre-op diet you were on. I am being banded on Aug 15 and I have to be on "liquids only" for 2 weeks. I'm terrified of having an open band procedure.

I think that was the problem. I was not on a preop diet to help shrink the liver. I think had I been on one, I would have had a much better chance at not having an open surgery.

[KayleighsMommy 16]

No I wasn't, he didn't mention it at all.

That was wrong of the doctor, not warning you, since it is always a possibility with any lapband surgery. You should have been informed.

[juliegeraci 7]

I am sorry this happened to you. I wish you a speedy recovery. Welcome to bandland.