Question:
Has anyone had surgery after a surgeon found scar tissue?
I went in to have surgery .On the operating table the surgeon found seven hernias and a lot of scar tissue .He fixed the hernias but didnt do the RNY, because it may be too life threating to me. At the time he told me that I may not be able to find a surgeron to ever do my surgery and told my husband to get me to quit trying to get this done .I believe I am well enough to have the surgery and am willing to take my chances .So any insight or direction would be great .I realy want to be able to get the weight off .I am 275 lbs now .I afaid I will never stop growing . — U4oria (posted on September 24, 2003)
September 24, 2003
Mary, I can imagine how discouraged you must be. I'm not sure what to
advise, but I would suggest speaking with another surgeon. He may,
unfortunately, feel the same way, but perhaps you will get a different
opinion. I can tell you that what was supposed to be a 90 minute surgery
for me ended up being 3 hours because the surgeon found adhesions and lots
of scar tissue when he opened me up. Other than that, I've been pretty much
problem free. I hope things work out for you.
— Martha K.
September 24, 2003
How awful for you, to get your mind set and then have that happen. My
surgeon looked over my previos surgeries at my first consult. He felt sure
he could work around them doing a lap, but told me if he had problems, they
would have to open me up. I wonder if it would have just been too long to
have you under. My surgery did take almost 7 hours.
— Gail O.
September 24, 2003
It sounds like he wasn't on the ball. I had a hernia the size of a football
fixed. The ONLY way my Dr. wouldn't to it was if the adhesions had fused
the intestion together. That was the only thing that mad it impossible. If
you are healthy and can withstand the surgery you need to decide whether to
go pursue it or not. I don't see how this could have been life threatening
unless you have something else wrong.
— Rebecca K.
September 24, 2003
Hi Mary- Would you mind posting what you have scar tissue from? Maybe
that made the difference? At the first consult with my surgeon, I informed
him that I may have some scar tissue from a gall bladder removal (old
style, not LAP) and a C-section. I asked him if this would be a problem
and he said no, it shouldn't be. Sorry for your disappointment, but PLEASE
seek another opinion. Maybe there is another surgeon who is comfortable
with scar tissue issue :o) Mea
— Mea A.
September 24, 2003
I have had prior major surgeries with a ton of adhesions and still had open
RNY. My bariatric surgeon said that my insides were a mess but he still
went ahead and did the RNY. I would go for another consult with another
doctor. That doctor can request the surgical notes from your last surgery
and review it to see if you are a good candidate. Good Luck.
— ChristineB
September 24, 2003
I had a 21" scar across my abdomen that had developed so many
adhesions that many of my organs were stuck together with scar tissue. My
surgeon just spent a bit of extra time cleaning out the scar
tissue/adhesions before he could complete the RNY. I was in bad shape prior
to surgery, and my surgery ended up taking a couple of hours longer than
typical, and the healing period was a bit longer than typical, but
everything worked out great! :~) I was actually able to have mine done
LAP, too... get a second opinion... :~) Hugs!
— Sharon m. B.
September 24, 2003
I too recommend getting a 2nd opinion. When I got out of the operating
room, my surgeon informed me that I had scar tissue from a previous surgery
and that it took him 30 minutes longer but he still performed the Lap RNY.
Good luck!--Shelly
— Shel E.
September 25, 2003
Thank you all for your insights I was really worry I was just crazy to keep
wanting this ,My first surgery was for a hiatial hernia repair (open) Then
2 years ago for a gall bladder removal. I did tell my surgeon about the
other surgeries.All my surgery have to open .they tell me. That they cannot
get though the tissue .So as for now I wonder how long I would have to wait
to have it done .One doctor backed out because I didnt quit smoking . I
waited a long time to get approved . I will get a second opinion. thanks to
everyone .Mary
— U4oria
September 25, 2003
I had open bariatric surgery 5 months ago. My surgeon was one of the
surgeons that I had a few years ago after an auto accident. He did the open
because he knew that he would find scar tissue. Low and behold, a 2 hour
surgery took him 8 hrs due to the scar tissue. He told me that any other
surgeon would have closed me and not done the surgery.
I am so grateful I had him because I am down 80#'s and I am alive. i was
282. Good luck
— Diane M.
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