I have my consultation with the surgeon Monday (already did info seminar, psych eval, nutritionist). My surgeon offers the SPIDER method of surgery for band and sleeve where she operates only laparascopically through the belly button (no other incisions) and uses the SPIDER tool to actually do the surgery inside. I want to do this for my sleeve rather than have the 4 - 5 small incisions. I know that you have to qualify for the spider (e.g., torso has to be a certain length, no other scar tissue, etc.).

Anyone have the sleeve using the spider technique? If so, can you share any insight into healing time and whether you were still very sore? I think it would be nice to have fewer incisions, but I have also heard that because the surgeon is doing everything in a tight area, they need to shfit things around more and you can be sore.

Hello

I had my sleeve procedure (and my gall bladder out at the same time) with the spider procedure. I had a single incision through the belly button (the cut started below and to the right side, extended through the belly button and goes about an inch above) the only other "hole" is a puncture site for a probe used to lift the liver for the gall bladder surgery. I am very happy with the results and the recovery was less pain than I expected.

My doctor calls it the star treatment supposedly he is the one that invented this procedures and travels all around to teach it. Anyways I think it's great no scars and belly button looks exactly the same and you only have one incision pain. Good luck.