2nd X, Open Me Up or Not?

xxnocorexx · September 5, 2008

My surgery is in 5 days and from what I understand they only do open surgery if your liver is in the way or if there are other complications...I wouldn't choose to do open surgery because of the down time...the less down time you have the daster you can start working out to get all sexy and sh*t...just my opinion...

KayleighsMommy · September 5, 2008

My 2 cents is go for it.

When I went for my preop I tried to pin my doctor down as to wether he would open me up if needed. He would not commit to it. I basically told him I fully expected to be banded when I woke up, no matter what he had to do!!!

Luckily, he was able to do it laprascopically.

And also, as you stated...the tummy is going to take care of some of the scar.

julie

pandagirl · September 6, 2008

My surgery is in 5 days and from what I understand they only do open surgery if your liver is in the way or if there are other complications...I wouldn't choose to do open surgery because of the down time...the less down time you have the daster you can start working out to get all sexy and sh*t...just my opinion...

My two main issues are the down time and scarring. I still haven't settled on a decision.

pandagirl · September 6, 2008

My 2 cents is go for it.
When I went for my preop I tried to pin my doctor down as to wether he would open me up if needed. He would not commit to it. I basically told him I fully expected to be banded when I woke up, no matter what he had to do!!!

Luckily, he was able to do it laprascopically.

And also, as you stated...the tummy is going to take care of some of the scar.

julie

I wonder why he wouldn't commit? My Doc told me it's my decision if she's going in. If I say no to it, she says the only reason she would do it is to save my life. I guess in essence they are stating the same thing, but at least I understand my Docs game plan.

But all worked out for you. That's excellent. I hope you are happy with your band. :shades_smile:

pandagirl · September 6, 2008

My answer to this was YES! If they stopped, I did not get my money back. Might as well go through with it at that point and they said that the incision would be small.

If I were paying out of pocket I'd feel the same way. My surgery is completely covered, so money is not an issue.

pandagirl · September 6, 2008

Why did they tell you they couldn't do it? I had surgery 8/11 and he couldn't place the band. I followed his preop diet longer, lost 32 pounds, and got the band on 8/29. I had a fatty liver.

It's not my weight that's the issue, nor a hernia or a liver. It's the placement of my fat. I carry the majority of it in a cirumference around my belly button. If my fat were evenly distributed like many, there wouldn't be an issue.

pandagirl · September 6, 2008

I think you should get another surgeon. I weighed 375 when I got the band. I have a large ventral hernia which means things were TIGHT in there. There are many different places where they can place the port...and I am fine now. I think your surgeon is blaming you for her lack of skill.

I have thought about saying no to the open and switching Docs if she can't do it. I'm sticking with her for now though and haven't commited to the possibility of open surgery yet.