I have had abdominal surgery in the past. Does this mean I can’t have the operation laparoscopically?
The decision of whether a person is a candidate for the laparoscopic technique is based on an individual assessment. In general, however, the operation can be achieved laparoscopically in almost all cases. Factors which would increase the chances of needing the open operation include a history of prior operations on the stomach itself, or severe obesity with extremely elevated BMI. Occasionally, the surgeon has to convert a laparoscopic procedure to the open technique if bleeding, scarring, or other problems interfere with visualization in the operating room.
