Scar tissue & the Gastric Sleeve

Question
Have you ever had a patient that has too much scar tissue for you to perform a Gastric Sleeve? I'm a 42 year old woman, weighing 301 pounds and after months of preparation, I went in for my Sleeve procedure yesterday and was awakened by being told that the surgeon was unable to proceed with my Sleeve lap or open. I'm devastated because I discussed my 12 previous abdominal surgeries (none for weight loss) all before I got my hopes up and he didn't Yvonne it would be an issue. Are there any other alternatives that may possibly work? I've only been overweight for the past 10 years and my health is severely suffering.

Answer
Judy,
It is uncommon, but there is such a thing as scar tissue that is so dense or difficult that it is medically unreasonable to go forward with the planned operation.  No one can make that determination but the surgeon who is there on the spot, and other surgeons will take that opinion quite seriously.

It sounds like you have already had a good thorough talk with your bariatric surgeon, and that he/she did not have any good options to offer you.  Please do make sure you have asked that doctor if there is any other option they can recommend.  If your original surgeon is not able to give you alternatives that are likely to help with your obesity disease, then it is quite reasonable for you to see a different bariatric surgeon for a second opinion.  The best way to get that done would be to ask your primary doctor for a recommendation of a skilled and experienced bariatric surgeon in your area.

Best of luck to you!

Dr JP

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