What would be a reason they could not do Laparoscopic surgery

[cleuger]

I my surgeon that the hospital Ill be staying for surgery prides themselves on laparoscopic surgery this was one of the reasons I like Cleveland Clinic I'm not in Cleveland this is in Fort Lauderdale Florida. I am having a proctocolectomy,
they are removing the rectum as well.

My question is what reasons do they have for not doing the surgery Laparoscopicly? Are they doing this type of surgery more now days? any information is appreciated thanks

Cindy

 

[Spooky1]

Certainly in my case they would still cut down the stomach muscles as this has always been done. It's because of adhesions/lesions apparently. They just can't do keyhole when you've already had the old fashioned cut down. This is my case anyway.

Good luck with the surgery.

 

[cleuger]

I have never had a resection before which their just removing the whole colon now so maybe they will do laparoscopic. Keeping fingers crossed. Thanks for your response I appreciate it

 

[Emmyb2188]

I don't know why they wouldn't, if they pride themselves on laparoscopic surgery, but I can tell you why my surgeon didn't. He said he's had to go back and fix poorly-done keyhole procedures (done by other surgeons) too many times. He is one of the best surgeons around here (about an hour from Cleveland) and he seems to only hold this view in regards to bowel surgery, but he considers open surgery to be better.

 

[cleuger]

That's interesting to know. Did you go to the Cleveland clinic? I've never had a prior surgery only to remove an abscess was set up work a wound vac no stitches I've just healed from that. I'm praying they do laparoscopic. I see the surgeon on the 18th I guess I'll find out more then.

 

[bonniebetts]

Dear Cleuger, I am in the healthcare field...although NOT GI. I can only tell you that if you've had abdominal procedures before, even laparoscopically...the next (and all future) procedure(s) is usually "open." Mainly because there is too much adhesion and scar tissue from the previous procedure. Organs get "stuck" to each other...and there is too much "junk" for the surgeon to get through to do the actual procedure. So...open is quicker, has better visibility, better accessibility, and usually better outcomes.
So sorry that you are having to go through this. Good luck.

 

[Emmyb2188]

No. The Cleveland Clinic was actually plan B, if this particularly surgeon couldn't fit me in. My GI, who once worked at the CC but now has a semi-private practice, trusts him more than any other surgeon around here.
I hope your surgery goes well. Many people on this forum have had good experiences with keyhole surgeries, and I think the choice is ultimately yours. You just might have to try different surgeons.

 

[cleuger]

Thank you so much well since I've only had a small hole in my left side a few months ago the drain am abscess maybe there's hope it's literally on my side. I've never had an abdominal surgery before Or maybe I'm having wishful thinking. I guess I'll find out soon I want whatever's best for the best outcome personally I don't care about a scar I'm not a vain person. I just want to be healthy again

 

[Flarkie]

its a verry good question you asked and its the same question I asked my surgeon for the planned operation I have to go to. the answer my surgeon gave me was that due to the previous surgery I have had it will be most likely not be an option. So I think the answer is clear for both of us. In my case if I ever will be healthy again my belly aswell as the area above my butt will be scared. My guess is however that it will heal up nicely on the skinn. As you are saying the most important thing is to get healthy once again!

 

[Flarkie]

So how have you been feeling clueger?

 

[afidz]

It also depends on the complexity of the surgery. If a lot has to be removed, or if there isa lot of scar tissue to work around, it had to be open

 

[cleuger]

So how have you been feeling clueger?

Im ok I'm stilled freaked out about the surgery of course. I'm working so that helps distract me for a little bit. The weird thing is I have no pain no nausea. No bleeding but yet I have 3 fistulas recovered from an abdominal abscess and told my colon and rectum need to come out. I guess I thought I should be more sickly I have lost quit a bit of weight die to not eating I blame flagyl for most of my appetite loss since I've been off of it my apposite has gradually increased. I just don't know if I'm ever going to loose these pre surgery jitters. I don't know what I would so without you guys to support me thanks

 

[2thFairy]

I went from being okay with surgery to freaking out and deciding against it several times a day in the months leading up to it. The day before the procedure, however, I felt very calm and ready. The jitters are normal. The more you learn beforehand, the better you will feel about everything.

 

[cleuger]

Thaks for your response. Im just looking at the after pain providing surgery goes ok. I know many of you have said they usually give you a button to push for pain meds. I was paying attention to how Im moving around today pretty flexable, no pain and wondering if I will feel this way after I heal from surgery. I figured if they do laproscopic there might be less pain afterwards.

 

[afidz]

Laproscopic can actually hurt more, at least so I've been told by my surgeons. There is less area for them to work with so your muscles get moved and pulled and pushed a lot more than if it were open, but you have less chance of post-op complications with a laproscopic. All of my surgeries have been open, I had one laproscopic surgery to take out my appendix so I don't really know if it's true or not

 

[Flarkie]

Well Clueger I really understand your worrys and hope you will be better after surgery! Lots of strenght!

 

[HARVinTX]

I had open surgery in 2002 for a large bowel resection. I had a small bowel resection 5 weeks ago and it went well being done laporscopically. It was a lot less painful then my first surgery and I recovered in half the time than I did with my first surgery.

So you can have open surgery and later have it laporscopically depending on what actually has to be done. The more work that has to be done the greater chance they would have to go open surgery. Either way, I was happy to get rid of the structures. Back to eating salads!

Good luck with your procedure!

 

[Khaley]

I just had a small bowel resection and my surgeon said he wouldn't do it laparoscopically. I didn't question him on it. He had previously removed my gall bladder by laparoscopy and I trusted him and felt he must have his reasons. I was actually fine with it because I knew he'd get a better view of my bowels. In addition to the resection, he found three previously unknown sections of strictures and did stricturplasties.

I did not have much pain after. I only used the morphine pump the first day and they took it away the second day because I wasn't using it. He had told me to expect to be in the hospital seven days but I was only in for four and on the fifth day I was walking my dogs around our very large dog park with 19 staples in my belly. I have to say the laparoscopic gall bladder surgery was much more painful and harder to recover from. I don't know why.

I'm 13 days out from surgery now and just have a little tenderness at the incision site. It's great to be able to eat again and this is the best I've felt in a long time. I wish you an equally speedy recovery!

 

[DustyKat]

I think you find that if at all possible the surgery will be done laparoscopically as that is the norm these days for resections.

Aside from previous surgeries another reason for open surgery is the presence of complications, either known or unknown. The thing is, all the imaging in the world cannot always give a true and accurate picture of what is happening inside, hence the surgeon will always be going in with a degree of uncertainty.

in my son’s case the surgeon felt that with the fistula and abscess he had laparoscopic surgery wouldn’t be possible. He did try though but on commencing he found there to be yet another fistula and abscess and so open surgery was the only option.

Dusty. xxx