I'm wondering what determines if your incisions are closed with Steri Strips or Staples. My surgeon I believe is going to use steri strips, but i was wondering what factors determine strips over staples. Thanks

Probably the surgeon's preference determines which s/he uses. Mine uses internal stitches and steri strips on the outside. I can still find all of my scars, but they won't be noticable for long, I'm sure.

Don't worry about the small stuff, like what closure they will use. Just concentrate on the big stuff, getting in your liquids, Protein and following your diet. If you're like me, you'll just fill your head up with noise and lose sight of what you're trying to accomplish. When I pulled my eye off the big goal of health and losing weight is when the doubts started creeping into my head. It took a lot of mental acrobatics to get my brain back in line; I don't like to see other people having to do that, although I realize it's normal.

Good luck!!

My surgeon does the VSG laprascopically (sp?) with only one small incision through the belly button. How many of you were done via lap, versus an abdominal incision. I'm just curious...

Hi Michelle,

My surgeon did the surgery laproscopically (sorry for the spelling). I had 5 incisions with one just above my belly button that had a JD drain inserted for 10 days. So I really think so much depends on the doctor. He also used the "black" staples for the first time on me and removed my "excess stomach" from the right side - not sure why, and had to put an extra stitch in my muscles which seem to be causing a little more discomfort.

Hang in there and good luck wish you well. Ask questions of your surgeon

Sandy

My surgeon says most people get the dermabond and steristrips. (thats what I had) You can hardly see the 5 tiny little scars!!! :-)

I also have small 5 incisions, the larger one about 2-3 inches above my belly button & is where they removed the stomach! All are healing great. I had NO drains & was very happy about that! And I didn't have to give myself the Lovenox injections at home either! Had the surgery on a Wednesday & was home on Friday!. Still on a full liquid diet until the 14th then it's on to pureed foods! Yay!!! I would like to add, that I am 52 & a grandmother of 1 that I want to be able to run with!!!! Some day real soon that will happen!

I was done laproscopically (sp?) and I have six small scars. One just under my left breast, then 5 running across at just about my waistline. The one farthest left on my waist had the drain tube in it for 8 days after surgery, and that's the only one that I'm concerned about seeing at all. I think it will look like the smallpox vaccination they used to give. The others are about an inch long and each had at least one stitch pop up that I had to pull. My doc says that is normal.

Doreykn, Where you the one asking about lovenox and coumadin before surgery? I'm glad you didn't have to take the injections! It sounds like you are doing GREAT!!

I had my surgery laproscopically (clueless on spelling that). I have six small scars. Five are less than a half inch in length and one of those is right by my belly button, so it is almost hidden. The last one is where they took out my stomach and left the drain for a week. It is about an inch and a half long.

My doc used steri strips without stitches or staples. I'm healing well, and I don't think the scars look too bad.