I went in for gastric sleeve surgery on 1/16. According to my surgeon everything was going to be fine. Woke up to find out that he couldnt complete the surgery. He says that he couldnt manouver the probes correctly and couldnt get to the upper part of my stomach. But that it had nothing to do with my liver. He is saying that i have to much fat on my abdomen and it made if difficult. My issue with this is the fact that it was a surprise that i carry my weight there. So could he not see that might be an issue once he got in there?. So now I am in pain, sore and having trouble eating for nothing. and Have to lose 50 to 75 more pounds before he can go back in. I feel very defeated. Between taking time off for you and getting things situated to be able to do this surgery. Now i have to go through it all again. If I choose to. I feel so embarrassed about this. I get to explain why I wont be out of work as long. and why I couldnt get the surgery. Just very discourging. Maybe i should just quit while im ahead.

You can do it!!! I agree it is a big disappointment but please don't give up!!! Please don't give up!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is really sad The anticipation and preparation to surgery is overwhelming and VERY emotional. I can't imagine how you feel getting to that point & NOT having it done!

It's a major setback but don't be derailed by what's best for you. Strength comes at times we least expect it

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Where did you get it done?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow ive never heard of this most drs will convert from laparoscopic to and open procedure this is not your fault sweetie its your drs

Sent from my LGMS428 using the BariatricPal App

Never heard of this either. But don't give up and don't get discouraged. This operation is the best thing you can do. You need to do anything you can to get it done, so I recommend you embrace a strict low carb diet for six months and get those extra pounds off. And then go back in for the surgery. It will fix everything and it is so much easier than dieting alone. Just need to get there. But I agree it is heartbreaking to hear this. I'd also most definitely be changing doctors. He shouldn't even be paid for that kind of nonsense and I hope the insurance company goes after him. He should be expert enough at his field to know what he can and can't do before he cuts you open. No excuse.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I agree

Sent from my LGMS428 using the BariatricPal App

It sounds disappointing but they can't foresee what your insides look like from outside and you would not want him poking around with minimal visibility. There's a risk of damaging vital organs. Talk with your surgeon and with your nutritionist. I'm not sure what your surgery weight is. Hang in there????

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm so sorry to hear this. I was revised from a band to a sleeve on Jan 16th so this especially breaks my heart. I was told there was a chance I would wake up to news like this. I thought long and hard about whether I would have the nerve to go through another surgery if this was the case.

I know you realize it's safety first and certainly don't want to take risks that could jeopardize your long term health.

I will say this about us as a group. We are warriors. This is not the easy way out. It's hard emotionally, physically and socially. Your health is worth it. Your happiness is worth it. Right now you need to heal physically and then figure out how you will get to where you want to be. Sometimes it helps to think that things were meant to happen for a reason (like the 5 wasted years I spent with my band). Maybe going into surgery 50 lbs lighter is how you will end up being completely successful in your journey. I sincerely wish you all the luck in the world don't stop fighting!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm sorry to hear this, but it can happen. I once operated on a patient for fibroids. Opened the abdomen, but when I got in there, there was so much fat, we just could not even adequately retract the fat to safely get to the uterus. I had to abort the procedure, close her, etc., and she still had to be home for recovery.

The patient later lost weight, and we were then able to do the surgery.

I'm sure your doctor was also disappointed, but did the best he could.

I know the feeling. The day before surgery I was canceled because I had nicotine in system. Now I am having second thoughts about the whole process. Do people really understand how hard it is to kick 2habits at one time

Sent from my SM-S820L using the BariatricPal App

Yes indeed... I surely do... to prepare for surgery, I went from smoking to vaping in November... and since then have lowered my vaping nicotine to just 3mg liquids... vaping so infrequently that I don't imagine I'll be doing it at all past the weekend... and then gave up soda in December and now the liver shrinking diet so I've given up carbs and a LOT of sugar. I've had headaches, nausea and more from detoxing. If I went through all this only to get cancelled before surgery on Wednesday I'll be VERY upset.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Id love to know if vaoing 3mg nicotine will show positive levels for nicotine and will your surgeon still do your surgery. I have also switched to vaping and have been trying to stay on 0 mg nicotine but sometimes have thrown in 3mg. Id love to know what your pre testing shows.

Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

I know the feeling. The day before surgery I was canceled because I had nicotine in system. Now I am having second thoughts about the whole process. Do people really understand how hard it is to kick 2habits at one time

Sent from my SM-S820L using the BariatricPal App

Yes indeed... I surely do... to prepare for surgery, I went from smoking to vaping in November... and since then have lowered my vaping nicotine to just 3mg liquids... vaping so infrequently that I don't imagine I'll be doing it at all past the weekend... and then gave up soda in December and now the liver shrinking diet so I've given up carbs and a LOT of sugar. I've had headaches, nausea and more from detoxing. If I went through all this only to get cancelled before surgery on Wednesday I'll be VERY upset.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Id love to know if vaping 3mg nicotine will show positive levels for nicotine and will your surgeon still do your surgery. I have also switched to vaping and have been trying to stay on 0 mg nicotine but sometimes have thrown in 3mg. Id love to know what your pre testing shows.

Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

What I don't understand is what makes it "too much fat" in that area. I was sleeved Dec 30th and I am sure I am one of the larger women on here, so I can't imagine why they can perform the surgery on me but not someone smaller due to too much fat. Granted I have lipo-lymphedema and a lot of my fat is in my legs and rear so I am smaller up top but I know men that carry all of their weight in their abdomen and chest and I have never heard of this. I guess I would likely talk to other surgeons as well, see if this is common. I had to have my surgery in December as it was the end of my plan year and I couldn't afford it otherwise (due to other health issues last year I had reached my out of pocket max for the year) they almost cancelled it due to an overcrowded hospital. I can't imagine what I would have done had that happened. Try to stick with us and don't give up, you have come to far to walk away now.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I went in for gastric sleeve surgery on 1/16. According to my surgeon everything was going to be fine. Woke up to find out that he couldnt complete the surgery. He says that he couldnt manouver the probes correctly and couldnt get to the upper part of my stomach. But that it had nothing to do with my liver. He is saying that i have to much fat on my abdomen and it made if difficult. My issue with this is the fact that it was a surprise that i carry my weight there. So could he not see that might be an issue once he got in there?. So now I am in pain, sore and having trouble eating for nothing. and Have to lose 50 to 75 more pounds before he can go back in. I feel very defeated. Between taking time off for you and getting things situated to be able to do this surgery. Now i have to go through it all again. If I choose to. I feel so embarrassed about this. I get to explain why I wont be out of work as long. and why I couldnt get the surgery. Just very discourging. Maybe i should just quit while im ahead.

Please don't quit. I understand you are very disappointed. Try to lose the weight they told you to under the guidance of a nutritionist. I know it is not easy. I spent my entire life being obese and I felt defeated many times. It wasn't until I had such serious health issues that I was forced to finally do the surgery after 40 yrs of weight problems. Good luck to you and you will get this done.

You need to change doctors ASAP! Good luck with that!

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

What I don't understand is what makes it "too much fat" in that area. I was sleeved Dec 30th and I am sure I am one of the larger women on here, so I can't imagine why they can perform the surgery on me but not someone smaller due to too much fat. Granted I have lipo-lymphedema and a lot of my fat is in my legs and rear so I am smaller up top but I know men that carry all of their weight in their abdomen and chest and I have never heard of this. I guess I would likely talk to other surgeons as well, see if this is common. I had to have my surgery in December as it was the end of my plan year and I couldn't afford it otherwise (due to other health issues last year I had reached my out of pocket max for the year) they almost cancelled it due to an overcrowded hospital. I can't imagine what I would have done had that happened. Try to stick with us and don't give up, you have come to far to walk away now.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Generally speaking women's abdominal fat is outside their abdominal wall. Think jiggly bellies. Men often have more visceral fat - fat inside the abdominal wall and wrapped around their organs. Example, hard beer bellies. Sometimes women do carry more visceral fat. If the doctor expected more external fat and then encountered internal fat, it would have changed things. Disappointing, absolutely, but sounds like it was necessary for safety.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Sorry hon, don't give up. I would find a more capable doctor for the second time, don't go back to the same one. I went to Dr. Dietrich in Tampa Florida [emoji6]