VS a lap procedure? And why? It's a big fear of mine. My open patients are always in so much more pain, and the huge staple line in the belly scares me!!

Prior to the sleeve, I had four open abdominal surgeries. A prior surgeon had told me I was loaded with scar tissue so I discussed the possibility with my surgeon of having to be opened for my sleeve surgery because of all the scar tissue. My sleeve surgeon said he would do everything possible to not open me up and luckily he didn't have to. Instead of an hour to hour and a half, my surgery took 3 1/2 hours. He said it took him well over an hour just to find his way around the scar tissue but he did it! The PA later told me they gave me some little baby scars to go along with the big scars. :-)

I wouldn't worry about this as a possibility unless you have some underlying issue that would require an open incision.

Prior to the sleeve, I had four open abdominal surgeries. A prior surgeon had told me I was loaded with scar tissue so I discussed the possibility with my surgeon of having to be opened for my sleeve surgery because of all the scar tissue. My sleeve surgeon said he would do everything possible to not open me up and luckily he didn't have to. Instead of an hour to hour and a half, my surgery took 3 1/2 hours. He said it took him well over an hour just to find his way around the scar tissue but he did it! The PA later told me they gave me some little baby scars to go along with the big scars. :-)

I wouldn't worry about this as a possibility unless you have some underlying issue that would require an open incision.

Oh! That is good to hear!! It puts my mind at ease!

Is there anyway for the surgeon to know how much scar tissue is in there before surgery?

Is there anyway for the surgeon to know how much scar tissue is in there before surgery?

I would imagine that if they were concerned, they would order an MRI....

Honestly, I'm not sure how the doctors manage this surgery without needing to open everyone up. Just operating by that tiny little camera seems really difficult. I've watched a lot of the surgeries on YouTube and I'm constantly amazed that they manage it with such precision.

I wouldn't be too terribly upset if I had to go full open. I've had a c-section, it sucks but then again diabetes beating down my door sucks too

I would imagine that if they were concerned, they would order an MRI....

Thought I had finished all of my appointments but got the news that my vascular and bariatric surgeons have consulted and are ordering a pelvic and abdominal CT scan... Don't have any information as to why they are doing this but my guess is that they are looking for scar tissue from my 1st surgery and my two c- sections. I should know more today.