Biology & Sciene questions - Medical questions

[Cherry 71]

I'm a little fearful that if I ask my surgeon these things, he's going to think I am a nut. If I can get a little bit of info here, it would be very helpful. Please keep in mind, I am a (not active) EMT so I am very interested in understanding biology.

When you cut the stomach, what happens to the inside contents during the surgery; the acid, enzymes, and any contents? Can or does it leak out in to the cavity or muscles/fat that surrounds the stomach?

IF not, WHAT prevents it?

If so, can this' poison' you or contribute to infection?

(I am referring to the time DURING the surgery)

Once the stomach is disected and the old stomach is stapled up and moved out of the way, what occurs INSIDE of it? I have read that normal functions continue but I don't think I really understand what can be 'normal' about a stomach that is no longer serving it's function. Maybe someone can explain?

And finally, what about nerves and vessles to the old stomach and the new pouch; Does the doctor just leave them all attached as they were (some to the new pouch and most to the old stomach)? Can one bleed out from the disection of vessles? Are any vessels caulderized during all of this?

Oh and 1 more....

Is muscle ever cut during this procedure? I know it's laproscopic and the cavity is inflated with gas, but is there any muscle anywhere that needs to be disected/resected?

Thank you

[babs963 201]

I think you should just ask your doctor.....

[Cherry 71]

Well I just watchd a video that definately helped me understand the stapling procedure!!

[Cherry 71]

I think you should just ask your doctor.....

I once asked a doctor serious questions about my endoscopy. He was mortified and cancelled my procedure and told my PCP it was becasue I had too much anxiety. Ummm noooo, it was because HE had too much anxiety when I asked practical questions. I was f*cking pissed - I needed the endoscopy and had waited 3 months for it!

[babs963 201]

Well I just watchd a video that definately helped me understand the stapling procedure!!

That's good. You need to feel comfortable with all aspects. You also need to feel comfortable with your surgeon.

Your going to be fine dear... just keep positive!

[Cherry 71]

LOL thanks....

now I am reading about Lovenox injections? LOL just what I need to know about.

I see my Dr again tomo. My surgery in April 17.

[padlrd 183]

The Levonix shots are to prevent blood clots they use them as a bridge to come off Coumadin before surgery so you dont bleed to much till your INR level gets thicker and after surgery. All drs are different on this and how long you use it its also different when your on blood thinners

[Cherry 71]

Well just watched about 20 youtube videos of actual surgery and got many of my questions answered. I really enjoyed watching them. Off to see my Dr in the morning!

[BBdoodle 483]

Your surgeon should answer any and ALL of your questions and if he does not then I would switch doctors. A good physician/surgeon would NEVER not answer any questions a patient has.

All your questions are good ones... your pouch (stomach) still serves you but its just smaller so you get full quicker. Your stomach should be empty because the night before surgery you take a laxative to empty your whole system out. I think once they start cutting the stomach if there is Fluid they just vacuum or sop it up with gauze pads. The surgeon (I think) cuts with a cautery which cuts and cauterizes at the same time so no chance of bleed out. Once they are done cutting and sewing they inflate your stomach to see if there are any leaks. There are no muscles that are cut during surgery. I hope this helps and PLEASE speak to your surgeon who can better answer your questions.

[maria pepe 29]

The cut away stomach get left because that is where the digestive juices are.

[Cherry 71]

I learned a ton by watching some autual surgery videos.

Today my surgeon not only answered all of my qustions, he showed me some of the tools used! Was fun and awesome!

[monken 135]

I'm a little fearful that if I ask my surgeon these things' date=' he's going to think I am a nut. If I can get a little bit of info here, it would be very helpful. Please keep in mind, I am a (not active) EMT so I am very interested in understanding biology.

When you cut the stomach, what happens to the inside contents during the surgery; the acid, enzymes, and any contents? Can or does it leak out in to the cavity or muscles/fat that surrounds the stomach?

IF not, WHAT prevents it?

If so, can this' poison' you or contribute to infection?

(I am referring to the time DURING the surgery)

Once the stomach is disected and the old stomach is stapled up and moved out of the way, what occurs INSIDE of it? I have read that normal functions continue but I don't think I really understand what can be 'normal' about a stomach that is no longer serving it's function. Maybe someone can explain?

And finally, what about nerves and vessles to the old stomach and the new pouch; Does the doctor just leave them all attached as they were (some to the new pouch and most to the old stomach)? Can one bleed out from the disection of vessles? Are any vessels caulderized during all of this?

Oh and 1 more....

Is muscle ever cut during this procedure? I know it's laproscopic and the cavity is inflated with gas, but is there any muscle anywhere that needs to be disected/resected?

Thank you[/quote']

Hey Cherry don't feel like a nut asking your MD these questions. They are people like you and I they just wear lab coats and we were all taught they were GOD and to listen to them no matter what.... LOL.

I have been in and around the medical field for 25 years. Its called "practicing medicine"

they don't know all the answers and I for one appreciate a MD that tells me he/she doesn't know. I have in the past interviewed my docs to see if they are a good fit for me. When they speak there medicalease you need to stop them and tell them speak in layman's so you understand. The questions you have a valid and you are trying to learn about what will happen to your body.

Also there are wonderful internet videos of RNY that explain what they are doing and what happens to your organs. Good luck and stay positive:-)

[Cherry 71]

I learned a ton by watching some autual surgery videos.

Today my surgeon not only answered all of my qustions, he showed me some of the tools used! Was fun and awesome!

[monken 135]

Yeh sounds like you are on your way!

[Cherry 71]

What's a little suprising is that my doctors (all of them) tell me constantly that most people never ask questions like mine. When I was going to be having an endoscopy, one of the questions I asked the doctor was if the specific anesthesia people (or those monitoring me) had a protocal or were trained in case I had bad reaction to the anesthesia and/or stroked? He told me "that won't happen" and when I said, "well what if it did?" he began to get an attitude while explaining how minimal the risks were blah blah blah.... and I didn't like his answer because I AM in the high risk minority. He then cancelled my procedure and said I had too much anxiety.... WTH? No, HE had the anxiety.

When I asked my RNY doctor what type of metal the staples are made of, and he answered, he also said "Wow, there's a question most people don't ask".

I am an EMT and I LOVE biology. Plus its my body, my life.... and I want to know what other people are doing to it basically. Apparently a lot of people just dont think to ask or they have a lot more trust than I do.