Went for my first consult with Dr. Geiss on Long Is. and he mentioned doing a single incision on top of abdomen and another for the port. Has anyone had this done? Trying to research this new procedure to make sure its perfected. cat lady

I have heard of the procedure being available. haven't heard of anything negative about it. mine was 4 small incisions 3 were an inch or less and one was 2 inches.

This previous post may help you. It was a question on the board a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/sil-single-incision-lapband-106284/

i had this! i love that I don't have any scars.

Hello,

I had posted on this just a couple of weeks ago. It was just fabulous. I had very little discomfort, swelling and felt that I could go back to work soon after. I don't have any visible scars and it has only been 1 month. Well, let me rephrase that. The scar isn't noticable at all. It is on the very edge of my belly button. My port is also located there. My only problem is that because I had so little stomach swelling, I felt zilch restriction from the very beginning. I have lost very well but, cant wait for my first fill in January.

Any other questions, I will gladly answer. Specifically regarding the procedure itself. Just remember that I am still newbie. lol

Brigette

Hello, I had this done when the surgeon had only done a relative handfull of them. But he's great, a prior vascular surgeon, so my big fear of something going wrong and the vena cava being compromised, was well relieved with his particular skills. The surgery took 30 minutes, plus 15 to close me up. I arrived at the hospital at 6 am and was home at 11am. Crazy. It's great so far the port sight was sore for a week and a half, but I was off meds within a few days and the scar is only about two inches long on the left upper part of my stomach. Can't complain:)

I had this procedure on 10/7 and it was done by Dr. Geiss......I have a small smiley face at my belly button. You can't even tell I had surgery.

Just had this done on Wednesday! I was amazed when I looked down and saw two teeny tiny incisions. Although I will agree that with the little swelling, I am STARVING!! Dr Ramanathan did an awesome job though! Surgery was only like 30 -45 mins!:biggrin:

Thanks girls for all your replies. I think its a good thing for me to consider. There is probably less healing time involved. Since my bikini days are over -- I'm not too concerned about the scars. More concerned about healing.

Glad to hear you are all satisfied with the results. cat lady:smile:

I have heard of the procedure being available. haven't heard of anything negative about it. mine was 4 small incisions 3 were an inch or less and one was 2 inches.

I had the above surgery but was given the option of single incision as we walked down to the OR together... I told him to do whatever would give the best results for my body. told him Dr choice I trust you.

I was lucky enough to have a procedure on Sept. 21st where they went thru my belly button so I have no scarring whatsoever. They made one pin-hole incision that I can't even find anymore, which was used for the hook to hold up my liver, but as for the entire procedure, you would never know I had anything done. It's perfect!

Good luck to you :thumbup:

HappyHomeCC: You never told us if you had the single incision procedure or not. You said the Dr mentioned it to you going down to the OR and you said it was up to him. which procedure did you have and how was the healing process. Was there alot of pain involved? How quickly did you get back to yourself? You are doing great with the weight loss. Very inspiring to those of us who are pre surgery. Thanks for your reply. cat lady:unsure:

Hutch444: Thanks for your reply about the single incision surgery. How fast did you heal? Was there alot of pain involved. Is there alot of bleeding during the procedure? I'm concerned about complications of this surgery. The more I research the more questions I have. I should be more courageous......but scared. cat lady:scared2:

HappyHomeCC: You never told us if you had the single incision procedure or not. You said the Dr mentioned it to you going down to the OR and you said it was up to him. which procedure did you have and how was the healing process. Was there alot of pain involved? How quickly did you get back to yourself? You are doing great with the weight loss. Very inspiring to those of us who are pre surgery. Thanks for your reply. cat lady:unsure:

Oh sorry... I had the "traditional" one.... he did great job, hardly took any pain med... Like half a dose every 12 hrs instead of a full dose every 4 hours... i did it just to sleep so I would not be available to the family LOL.... I am a light weight when it comes to drugs. I was the poster child for recovery. Dr and nurse agreed when I went in 5 days post op I didn't look or act like I just had surgery. I healed well. 11 days post op I was "playin" on the elliptical for 20 min. My friend got bored with me and begged me to go LOLOLOL so I gave it up but wasn't ready. I did really well.

Best choice I ever made, wish it was years earlier but maybe I would not have been "ready" back then. I am sure ready now.

Good luck to ya'll. A lot is in your head and attitude so hang in there. healing and the mind!

HappyHomeCC: thanks for your honest replies. Hope I can do as well as you did with the recovery process. Keep up the good work. cat lady

Hutch444: Thanks for your reply about the single incision surgery. How fast did you heal? Was there alot of pain involved. Is there alot of bleeding during the procedure? I'm concerned about complications of this surgery. The more I research the more questions I have. I should be more courageous......but scared. cat lady:scared2:

I had absolutely no complications. My surgeon has a mandatory rule that all patients must spend the night in the hospital, so I received pain meds while there, but I didn't take anything once I got home. I took a week off work and I was glad because it did feel like I was hit by a truck for a few days and sleeping was very uncomfortable, but after about 3 days, I was all good. I never had a problem.

Now, when I was at the surgeon this last time, there were 2 girls that were having leakage from their belly buttons and so we all had to go back and get u/s and blood work to check for infections, but I'm clear and very happy with the way it was done.

I know you'll be fine. Nothing to worry about. Then all you'll have to do is get used to feeling this port under your skin all the time! :thumbup: