scar tissue removal

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm going through the application process to have the MGB. I had gallbladder

surgery many years ago when it was done " open. " Therefore, I have a scar,

and Dr. R. has told me that it will require scar tissue removal (extra ports,

longer operating time). Has anyone else had this procedure with scar tissue

removal from gallbladder surgery? I'd like to hear from you concerning the

nature of any complications and the length of surgery. Thanks, Sherry

[Guest guest]

Sherry,

My husband had the MGB on 5/18/00 and he also had his Gallbladder removed 14

years ago. Dr. R only made one extra " port " and it was quite small actually

and the surgery lasted 42 minutes.

As far as complications from surgery ( extra scar tissue, etc) my husband did

not have any. Dr. R said that the Gallbladder surgery (done in the military)

was very clean and had little scar tissue to deal with. (Only a huge scar -

noticeable on the outside of his stomach!)

You should be fine. Dr. R really knows what he is doing. Best of luck to you.

Patti in MD

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/16/2000 5:39:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

SherryMar1@... writes:

>

> Hi,

> I'm going through the application process to have the MGB. I had

> gallbladder

> surgery many years ago when it was done " open. " Therefore, I have a scar,

> and Dr. R. has told me that it will require scar tissue removal (extra

ports,

>

> longer operating time). Has anyone else had this procedure with scar

tissue

>

> removal from gallbladder surgery? I'd like to hear from you concerning

the

> nature of any complications and the length of surgery. Thanks, Sherry

>

> ----------------------------------------

Sherry I initially had the same questions because I have that beautiful

gallbladder scar as well. I was told that it wasn't a big deal. I talked to

one person who had it done, Bonnie. Bonnie..are you still out there??

Anyway..her email is BAtakay@... I am sure she wouldn't mind if you

emailed her and asked her about it. Hope I helped.

Holly

a wannabe

[Guest guest]

<< Has anyone else had this procedure with scar

tissue >>

Hi, woman! I had (unknown to me or to Dr. R) scar tissue from a hysterectomy

the year before the MGB. Dr. R attempted to handle the MGB through the usual

portholes, but after working for nearly two hours, he said that he had to

switch to an open incision to finish. Don't worry! I look at it as being

" special; " I have four holes AND a zipper! Recovery took a tad

longer in the hospital and I did have some drainage tubes to learn to

maneuver; however, that was no big deal and I was outta bed and walking the

evening of surgery. By the next day, I had learned how to disconnect from

the wall outlet and just take my walks, tubes and all. I even learned how

to get out of those dang leg-squeezin' plastic tubes rather than bug the

nursing staff all the time. You'll be fine. Dr. R is an excellent surgeon,

honey. I was on the plane home in eight days (Christmas Eve) and I was just

fine. Healing was a nonevent. My local doctor was pleased with how quickly

the incision and portholes healed. Dee in MI ((MGB 16 Dec 99))

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/19/2000 8:47:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

yarnmama@... writes:

>

> Hi, woman! I had (unknown to me or to Dr. R) scar tissue from a

> hysterectomy

> the year before the MGB. Dr. R attempted to handle the MGB through the

> usual

> portholes, but after working for nearly two hours, he said that he had to

> switch to an open incision to finish. Don't worry! I look at it as being

> " special; " I have four holes AND a zipper! Recovery took a tad

> longer in the hospital and I did have some drainage tubes to learn to

> maneuver;

OH NO! I didn't even know it was a possibility that he could start lap and

then decide he has to do open. Has this happened to anyone else? I

absolutely don't want open..one of the reasons I choose this surgery. I

don't want to think that it might happen anyway! I do have a gallbladder

scar so I guess that makes me more at risk. Does anyone know if this happens

very much? Dr. R..are you there...any wise advice?

Holly in Illinois

[Guest guest]

Dear Holly,

For what it's worth - I, too have a gallbladder scar from eons ago. I'm very

concerned too about the removal of scar tissue.

I heard from someone on this list that her husband had gallbladder scar

tissue removed and required only one extra port and srgurey lasted only 42

minutes! She said not to worry. Sherry

[Guest guest]

If you don't want yours converted into an open procedure in the case of

some unforeseen event, just be sure Dr. Rutledge knows when you talk to

him.

I had read somewhere (I think it was a different procedure's webpage)

that someone had started out lap, but the staple gun didn't work and she

was converted to an open.

And I didn't want an open, so I told Dr. R. that and he said okay.

Kind regards,

happygirl0925@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 7/19/2000 8:47:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> yarnmama@... writes:

>

> >

> > Hi, woman! I had (unknown to me or to Dr. R) scar tissue from a

> > hysterectomy

> > the year before the MGB. Dr. R attempted to handle the MGB through

> the

> > usual

> > portholes, but after working for nearly two hours, he said that he

> had to

> > switch to an open incision to finish. Don't worry! I look at it

> as being

> > " special; " I have four holes AND a zipper! Recovery took

> a tad

> > longer in the hospital and I did have some drainage tubes to learn

> to

> > maneuver;

> OH NO! I didn't even know it was a possibility that he could start

> lap and

> then decide he has to do open. Has this happened to anyone else? I

> absolutely don't want open..one of the reasons I choose this surgery.

> I

> don't want to think that it might happen anyway! I do have a

> gallbladder

> scar so I guess that makes me more at risk. Does anyone know if this

> happens

> very much? Dr. R..are you there...any wise advice?

> Holly in Illinois

[Guest guest]

>

>

> >

> > Hi, woman! I had (unknown to me or to Dr. R) scar tissue from a

> > hysterectomy

> > the year before the MGB. Dr. R attempted to handle the MGB through the

> > usual

> > portholes, but after working for nearly two hours, he said that he had to

> > switch to an open incision to finish. Don't worry! I look at it as being

> > " special; " I have four holes AND a zipper! Recovery took a tad

> > longer in the hospital and I did have some drainage tubes to learn to

> > maneuver;

> OH NO! I didn't even know it was a possibility that he could start lap and

> then decide he has to do open. Has this happened to anyone else? I

> absolutely don't want open..one of the reasons I choose this surgery. I

> don't want to think that it might happen anyway! I do have a gallbladder

> scar so I guess that makes me more at risk. Does anyone know if this happens

> very much? Dr. R..are you there...any wise advice?

> Holly in Illinois

>

Hi Holly,

I believe it is extremely rare. I think he has had to make an extra " port hole "

a couple of times due to scar tissue from a previous surgery, but I have only

heard of him having to switch to an " open " once. Others who have been around

longer than me may know if it has happened more than once, but I think it is a

very small risk.

Sara