Had my sleeve surgery done on Thursday (May 1st) I have 5 incisions. A friend of mine had the same surgery done by a different doctor and had 3 incisions. I was wondering if this is normal just different techniques surgeons use

My surgery is later this month and dr says I'll have 5 small incisions, and no tubes or catheters.

Why is a drain needed? Is it for conversion only or is it typical of having the sleeve?

The drain was just a tube into the abdominal cavity with a light suction ball at the end. Not all Drs use it, mine did. I think it may be a little old school, but my Dr called it his window into the surgery area. My drain did not collect a massive amount of fluids, but I like that it did instead of my body having to reabsorb what it did collect. Mine was held into place with a single stitch and was removed after one week.

I have a question for those of you who had a drain. My surgeon told me the only way I would have a drain when I woke up from surgery is if I had a leak or something else went wrong. From the amount of responses here from people who had a drain, it seems other surgeons use one as common practice. Did anyone's surgeon tell them where the liquid is coming from filling the drain? Not judging, just curious!

The drain was just a tube into the abdominal cavity with a light suction ball at the end. Not all Drs use it, mine did. I think it may be a little old school, but my Dr called it his window into the surgery area. My drain did not collect a massive amount of fluids, but I like that it did instead of my body having to reabsorb what it did collect. Mine was held into place with a single stitch and was removed after one week.

1/5/14 when I had my surgery. I had the tube ball thing. The took it out when I left the hospital. Odd feeling when it came out. My incision have been fine not tender or sore . In fact this morning I woke up and I was sleeping on my stomach . I love being sleeved!

The drain was just a tube into the abdominal cavity with a light suction ball at the end. Not all Drs use it, mine did. I think it may be a little old school, but my Dr called it his window into the surgery area. My drain did not collect a massive amount of fluids, but I like that it did instead of my body having to reabsorb what it did collect. Mine was held into place with a single stitch and was removed after one week.

1/5/14 when I had my surgery. I had the tube ball thing. The took it out when I left the hospital. Odd feeling when it came out. My incision have been fine not tender or sore . In fact this morning I woke up and I was sleeping on my stomach . I love being sleeved!

Oh I have 5 small incisions

I had six incisions and two of them were larger and very tender. They took longer to heal. I am happy to report that at ~9 months out they have healed and are nearly invisible. Not that I am ready to show them off to anyone. Still have a bit of tummy to lose.

I was sleeved on 5-12 and I have 7 incisions. I too had a hernia repaired!

I will be getting my surgery date next week! Woo Hoo!

I live in NY on Long Island and my doctor, Dr. Shawn Garbar created a new procedure called single incision gastric sleeve, meaning 1 incision through my belly button no scaring at all. Has been doing his sleeves this way for 7 years now. Not sure why other surgeons haven't followed suit, 1 incision compared to 4,5 and 6,7?

Edited May 23, 201412 yr by 630racoon

I have Dr Garber also. Surgery april 23, 2014 and wanted single incision. But preop he said he would try can't promise anything. I came out with 5 incisions. He also removed my gallbladder during the surgery for sleeve. 4 incisions were like he said small and the big one was in bellybutton. Not really noticeable.

why did he remove your gallbladder? was it in the way, were you having a problem?

I have had previous gallbladder attack. when i did the required ultrasound they found gallbladder stones. multiple stones. from my research i have read that a lot of people end up having surgeries after vsg to remove the gallbladder. apparently gall stones are a very common side effect. so upon the recommendation of my surgeon i had it removed at the same time i had the vsg.

I am scheduled for VSG on 6/30/2014 and I will have 1 incision as my surgeon does single incision laparoscopic surgery. This means he will do the surgery through my belly button. I know two people who had 5 incisions.

Edited May 24, 201412 yr by Denise73

I have Dr Garber also. Surgery april 23, 2014 and wanted single incision. But preop he said he would try can't promise anything. I came out with 5 incisions. He also removed my gallbladder during the surgery for sleeve. 4 incisions were like he said small and the big one was in bellybutton. Not really noticeable.

Hi Time4change5170. I see we both go to the same clinic although we have different surgeons. I recognized your surgeons name immediately. "Stopobesityforlife" lol.

Congratulations on your surgery in April. How are you doing? How did the surgery go? How was the care of the NYBG staff? Anxious to know how everything went. Take care and keep up the good work.

I will be getting my surgery date next week! Woo Hoo!

I live in NY on Long Island and my doctor, Dr. Shawn Garbar created a new procedure called single incision gastric sleeve, meaning 1 incision through my belly button no scaring at all. Has been doing his sleeves this way for 7 years now. Not sure why other surgeons haven't followed suit, 1 incision compared to 4,5 and 6,7?

Hi 630racoon, I live in the Bronx and I see we go to the same clinic, NYBG. My surgeon is Dr. Holover. Did you get your surgery date yet? Mine is 6/30/2014. Good luck.