Staples and stitches

[Alison0720]

I have read that a few doctors use both staples and stitches during the sleeve procedure. It seems to be safer to prevent leaks. But is it really safer? Has there been a study done on the success rate of both sutures versus just staples? I read Dr. Corvala does both, anyone else in Mexico do both?

[DesertGal]

I had my surgery here in Nevada 3 weeks ago and my doctor uses both: he staples AND then he sutures around the entire area that has been stapled. I'd rather have the added protection of non leaks. I'm OK with it.

[Sandra3]

I had surgery in Asia and also had sutures over staples. My surgeon does it in specific cases, and with my medical history we knew I would probably be vomiting a lot post op, and I was for three long days. So it did help for sure, I didn't have a leak.

Each surgeon has his own protocol of action and you should make a list of questions for the doctor's visit.

I was mostly concerned by experience and wanted a surgeon with more than 2000 surgeries under his belt, and also an ICU on site.
My surgeon usually does a single incision (through the belly button) for the sleeve, but since he was going to suture on top of the staples, to be quicker and let me under anesthesia less than 30 minutes he decided to add two more incisions.

It took me a few months to decide where to have surgery and who would be my surgeon, but knowing that my surgeon was actually teaching others surgeons, the fact that he had lots of experience but also excellent bedside manners, he did listen to my concerns and was extra careful and did more pre-op exams just before surgery to avoid any possible risks was for me a good indication that I made a wise choice.

Take your time to find the right doctor, don't be afraid to ask questions. Take care.

[Christie13]

Many surgeons have completely different ways of doing the sleeve and are equally successful. I think sometimes it is down to preference. Just like the need to shrink the liver with a pre op diet. Some surgeons do and some don't. I think a lot is just preference.

[Alison0720]

Hi Sandra,
Do you currently live in Asia? Is that why you chose to have surgery in Asia? I have contacted two doctored who don't do sutures over staples and they were both very attentive to every question I had. But I did read about sutures over the staples and I feel much safer doing that. I currently have the gastric balloons in and my doctors office here in Florida has been less than helpful on my journey. I was supposed to get them out sometime around April 19th but they can't even see my in the office until May 11th to go over my pre op instructions to get these awful balloons out. I've been very sick with them and only lost 10 pounds. The pain from your stomach trying to get rid of the balloons is pretty bad. They did give me some medications for the cramps but I really don't want to continue taking medicine for cramping. I wish I had never gotten the balloons. But at least now I know how the bariatric surgeons office in my town is and I know to find someone more available to me. I don't want a doctors office who isn't there for me if I am having major surgery and getting 85% of my stomach removed.
Alison

[Sandra3]

Do you currently live in Asia? Is that why you chose to have surgery in Asia?

Yes I do live in Asia for 2 years and a half now. But that was not the main reason for my choice. I did consider several options and contacted several surgeons in France, US and Mexico. And I did consider two different surgeons here where I live. At the end, I really went with my "gut feeling". I found experienced surgeons in the other countries, and cost would have been much lower in Mexico or France (I was not sure if my insurance would cover or not when doing it "overseas" so I was ready to pay out of pocket but at the end they did refund me). But I have multiple complicated health issues and my surgeon was the only one who pointed ways to prevent more issues post-op. The stitching over staples was one of them.

In my book the sleeve is not a major surgery. I've seen much worth. It's really quick, almost painless but the consequences post-op (for ex I had strong nausea for more than six months) could be hard to handle, I was glad I picked a team near my home.
At three weeks out I was back at the hospital with stomach flue and very grateful to have excellent care 20 minutes away from professionals who knew my complicated file like their pocket.