What does that even mean? Yesterday, I received an email telling me I'd been approved for my surgery anywhere from the rest of May through August, whenever suits hubby and I. Yes of course, I'm absolutely elated!!! EEEH! But something in the email caught my attention, so I emailed back a response to my coordinator (who emailed me the approval from the surgeon) regarding the possible discrepancy in the approval email.

The email mentioned that I am approved for the laparoscopic sleeve surgery. So I thought laparoscopic? Isn't that what they call the dreaded lap band? Uh no thanks. Not happening. So I emailed her back and she said that yes I was approved for the proper VSG, however it will be performed laparoscopically.

Just wanted to know....does anyone know exactly what that means, and how does it differ from the other VSG's? Are there any pros/cons I should know about. Basically, is this a good or bad thing? Should I be concerned?

Thanks ahead of time for your responses!

It means that it is done without making a large incision and opening you up. It is done by making several small openings through which a camera and the surgical tools enter your body. It is much less invasive than open surgery.

ooooh, me likey! I actually knew that the way they do it at the hospital I'm going to was through several small incisions rather than one large cut, however I did not know that it was called laparoscopic. Nice to know! Thank you!

.....phew....

it mean that you get 5 small holes so they can do the surgery instead of a giant 12inch incision in your belly.

Yeah, that sounds waaaaaay better! LOL. I'd rather not have to worry about a huge gash of a scar going acrossed my abdomen after I've lost all the weight, in addition to all the excess skin I might have. Hmmm....no thank you.

Almost every type of bariatric surgery is done laproscopically today. Some doctors can do it in one incision - through the belly button and others still use the old method of making 5 incisions or ports into the abdomen. The 5 port method is what I had.

Doing it laproscopically means that they don't have to open you up and recovery time is minimal - you're usually out of the hospital in 2 days.

Older methods had the doctor making an incision across the abdomen and opening the patient up. Recovery time was much longer and the surgery was much more risky.

I saw a new bariatric surgery being tested recently - no incisions. They go in through the patients mouth and snake the tools down the throat into the stomach.

I believe now a days they are all done laparoscopic...trust me, thats the only way you want it done. It just means they use a scope or camera to see inside which keeps them from making a big incision. You will heal much quicker and hurt less. Doctors do lots of surgeries this way today, gallbladders, appendix, hernias, colons, and thank goodness our VSGs!!

Thats great! Yeah, I remember my coordinator mentioning something early on about the single incision through the belly button thing. I'm going to ask if that's what they're planning on doing with me. I think it is.

Be sure to do a ton of research on this surgery. Meaning, physically and psychological effects. You can never be over informed.

Agreed! No such thing as too much knowledge! I've been researching gastric bypass and it's different procedures for over 11 years now. I'm finally financially and psychologically (age-wise) in the right place to be able to have the procedure! It's taken 11 years of hoping and thinking, chronically, day in - day out to finally make this decision for myself and my sons! They are the main reason I'm doing this, my boys are my life! And they deserve all of me, not just the parts I can give without getting physically overwhelmed. I don't so much care about what I will physically look like, if at all. However I do desperately need to be the best mother I can be for my boys! They deserve that and so much more. This is why I have over-come all of my fears over the surgery I had for the past 11 years contemplating it. They are my light in the tunnel! I just can't wait to be healthy and pain free enough to run around like a mad women having fun with my kids, running errands, doing chores for once so they can learn to act responsibly like their mother....and not be further impacted by my actions, or lack thereof (which they are too young to understand, that mommy just can't physically do some things). I need to be the best example possible for my boys (3yrs, and 8 months). I won't ever get this time back. So I make this decision, for the loves of my life! They deserve it!

Others explained it for you

I had single site vsg and recovery was minimal. If your dr does it i would go for it. Definitely do your research and find out how many they have performed. Then make an informed/educated decision.

Good luck to you.

Thanks! Will do.