Please help me I'm worried about my surgeon - ThinnerTimes

blkmercedes · 03-25-2008, 01:26 PM

During my pre-op visit with my surgeon yesterday, he stated that should I need to have open vs lap (due to abdominal scaring), that I should just have the band, which I do not want! I asked if he would do the open if he found it was necessary and it sounded to me that he said they'd just put a band on.

This worried me all night, so today I did more research on him and found that he is actually a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon. He has great reviews for his lap RNY procedures (and he's done many) from the patients, office and the hospital.

However, I learned from his private practice office that he does not DO the open procedure, although the WLS office says he would if I had to have it. The nurse said that he tells all patients with previous adominal surgeries that, and he made no note in my file about a band. She did say he's never done an open RNY, which I just thought meant he has been successful with the laps. Now I don't know.

My surgery is scheduled for Monday, but I don't know what I should do at this point. I know there is only a very slim chance that I will not be able to have the lap, but I worry about what would happen if he gets into the surgery and finds that it must be open. Would he close me up and say it couldn't be done?

Before I call the NeWeigh office and cause a big mess, I'd like to see what some of you experienced RNY patients think. Please be honest and tell me if I am just worrying about nothing because I tend to analyze every little detail.

JumboJulie · 03-25-2008, 01:46 PM

Maybe I can help a little ...
I had an OPEN RNY just 19 days ago. My surgeon ONLY does open because she's most comfortable that way. She feels it's safer, more complete, less chance of complication, less chance of needing to re-operate, etc. My incission is about 6 inches long, starting just below my breastbone and ending about 5 inches above my belly button. She used "glue" to close me up. I believe it's called DermaBond. And I can tell you I have healed up perfectly. It's NOT a but ugly scar, and it's perfectly smooth and straight and as thin as if you drew it with a ball-point pen. So please don't worry about maybe having an open surgery. It's really not bad.
The thing that worries me is that your surgeon MAY do a LapBand?! No way. I would talk with him again face-to-face BEFORE the surgery. The difference between RNY and the Band is HUGE. Get every bit of info straightened out with your surgeon NOW!! And don't feel bad about asking a million questions ... this is your body, your life, and YOUR decission.

soon2bthin · 03-25-2008, 01:57 PM

If it were me and I wanted rny and my doc was not willing to do this, I would find me another doc. I know if prolongs your wait time, but you only get one shot at this so get what you want. If I knew he had never done an open rny before that would scare the hell out of me as well. I will be thinking of you over these next few days, please keep posting as to what happens. Good luck.

Cassie

blkmercedes · 03-25-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumboJulie

The thing that worries me is that your surgeon MAY do a LapBand?! No way. I would talk with him again face-to-face BEFORE the surgery. The difference between RNY and the Band is HUGE. Get every bit of info straightened out with your surgeon NOW!! And don't feel bad about asking a million questions ... this is your body, your life, and YOUR decission.

I don't mind having open if needed, but I don't know if he can do the procedure. I'm not signing for a band, and I'm telling my children not to agree to it either if he comes out while I'm sleep and tells them that's what he needs to do!

Toony · 03-25-2008, 02:00 PM

I don't like the idea of him deciding which surgery he'll do once he gets started. What is this? Wake up to find out which one you had? Hm... sounds very odd to me. It's not like you WANT the lap band, is it?

I think you need to clarify things before he starts cutting... that just sounds so wrong! Are you sure you heard him correctly? Very, very odd...

katie

Dave · 03-25-2008, 02:17 PM

I'm with Toony, it makes no sense that he would decide which surgery to do on the fly. They are completely different surgeries. That's just wierd.

With open you have a much higher chance of infection and getting hernias (sp?) later down the road. I'd go lap but make sure the surgen has done at least 80-100 before they work on you! Even with lap there is a chance they will have to open you up but I'd sure like them to try lap first. My doctor always starts with lap even if he thinks he's going to have problems. Last numbers I heard from him were after 350+ surgeries he only had to open two people up and they were both over 400 lbs with many problems.

Good luck with your surgery!

AmityA · 03-25-2008, 02:24 PM

Anna:

can you call neweigh and see if maybe dr Jay or dr Bina could do your surgery? I know Dr Bina (my dr) only does surgeries on Mondays but it may be worth it to be assured that you dont get lapband. I dunno-- just thinking about it and you alot this afternoon.

blkmercedes · 03-25-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Last numbers I heard from him were after 350+ surgeries he only had to open two people up and they were both over 400 lbs with many problems.

Good luck with your surgery!

According to him and the hospital, he has done a whole lot of lap RNY. So, this is what I thought when they said he hasn't done any open...his patients have just not required it. Since there are doctors in the office who have done open, they may refer those patients to them. Yes there is a language barrier so perhaps he was not trying to say he'll just do the band, but rather laying it out as an option (giving him the benefit of doubt). You guys are right, I need not wait until the day of surgery to find out if he can or not. I'll call again today and make SURE he can do an open IF it is required.

Zenomia · 03-25-2008, 02:58 PM

IMO: You NEED to have all this information up front..like NOW. Not the day of surgery. That is why people have so many post op complications, because they have a surgeon who is promising more than he can dish out. If he is incapable of doing an open proceedure then you need a surgeon who can. If there is any possibility that you may need to switch to the open proceedure, you need to be assured you have a reputable SKILLED surgeon in there to do it. I would get a new Dr. myself...One that is certified in Bariatric Proceedures. (Perhaps having a second surgeon in on the surgery?) Hmm....The lapband shouldn't even be an option at this point....

Godsblessedme · 03-25-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Hmm....The lapband shouldn't even be an option at this point....

i agree if he's saying he cant do open gastric bypass (rny) then get another doctor. He obviously doesnt have the proper training and isnt willing to disclose that to you. Be safe than sorry