OK, I would never ask this to anyones face...

I have a piercing in my private girl area. Does that have to be taken out during surgery? Do I ask the Nurse to do it and put it back in? I am so embarresed. My mom will be with me the day of surgery and I would be mortified if my mom found out.

What should I do?

I don't know if there's any reason it would have to be removed, but why not play it safe--take it out yourself a day before and replace it when you're ready?

I agree. Take it out and put it back in yourself. You don't want to risk any kind of infection and they do ask if you have any jewelry as they are prepping you.

I totally agree, that you should take it out yourself prior to surgery. But my question is this????? If this were me???? would I have a piercing down there, because.... frankly, I don't think it would be seen with all my extra weight..... But maybe you are different. Good Luck

they do not know anything that is happening down there or will they see it or anyone else

OK, I would never ask this to anyones face...

I have a piercing in my private girl area. Does that have to be taken out during surgery? Do I ask the Nurse to do it and put it back in? I am so embarresed. My mom will be with me the day of surgery and I would be mortified if my mom found out.

What should I do?

Pam,

There is no need to take it out. My last surgery I had my Aunt Flo and had a tampon in but was told to leave it in.

Last night I was reading online a detailed description of the procedures the surgeon uses when doing the LapBand surgery(don't ask me why??). I was surprised to read that they put the patients legs in stirrups and the surgeon stands (this is a quote), between the patient's spread legs. So.. I'm guessing the Dr will notice such a thing. They did ask me if I had any 'other' piercings. Also, my Dr routinely uses a catheter in the ureter (not sure if they all do), so a piercing 'there' might really upset that process. I'd get rid of it if I were you . One less thing to worry about ...

If you can't even wear a tampon during surgery (trust me) then I doubt you can wear that! I would take it out!

I was banded 2 weeks ago in Mexico. They were very adamate about me removing all metals before surgery. Including my wedding band and all.

you will want to remove the piercing-

the reason they have you remove all metal objects prior to surgery is so that in case you should flatline or have trouble, they can resucitate you with the paddles & all- otherwise the flow of the electricity might be enhanced via the METAL!!!! which would be a bad thing!

plus the monitoring systems that they use might get interference with it as well- they have to attach the wires via the sticky's to your chest & it monitors your heartrate & vital signs-

eek! plus for obvious reasons- you will most likely get a catheter -& that sort of piercing will DEFINATLY be seen by the nurse who has to put it in- & the one who has to take it out- if you dont mind them having to tell you to remove it, you might be okay- but i honestly wouldnt try it!

I'd take it out. They do say no jewelry (I'm assuming that means anywhere).

For my surgery, I moved onto the table - and it had a heavily padded footrest on the bottom. They will tilt you up for the surgery - letting gravity help with shifting your organs to make the surgery easier. No stirrups! No reason for legs to be spread.

I wasn't tilted until I was out.

I had my period during surgery and was told no tampon. I ended up with pantyhose type of underwear and a pad. Also no metal/jewelry. I also had a catheter put in after surgery, so had I had a piercing it would have been seen.

There was a woman next to me during the OR check in phase who had to run to the bathroom to take some piece of jewelry out.

I did not have a catheter and was told that it is usually not required for the lapband procedure since it is less than one hour in most cases.

I don't remember moving onto the table (or anything else for that matter ) but was told that I would be in a near standing position for the surgery.

That being said, the metal jewelry will still have to come out (see the post about rescucitation). Save yourself the trouble and just do it beforehand. If the piercing is fairly new or needs to have something in to keep it open check out the clear plastic retainers. You can buy those at places like Claires, The Icing, etc.

I'd take it out. They do say no jewelry (I'm assuming that means anywhere).

For my surgery, I moved onto the table - and it had a heavily padded footrest on the bottom. They will tilt you up for the surgery - letting gravity help with shifting your organs to make the surgery easier. No stirrups! No reason for legs to be spread.

I wasn't tilted until I was out.

Actually, your legs are spread during surgery. They probably did as is standard, they positioned you after you were out.

LAP-BAND: Surgery Technique

The jewelry needs to be removed before surgery by the patient and replaced by the patient. There really isn't any reason a nurse should do this.

Take it out yourself!

I have my surgery on tape and my legs were not spread out1

I too had to remove all jewerly or any metal. My wedding ring had to come off, so did the barrett holding my hair out of my face. I was permitted to leave the ponytail holder as it was just elastic, not metal. Take the piercing out and put it back later.