Do you regret having OPEN RNY??

Okay, so I know I should be grateful for being given this wonderful tool and I do feel and look alot better, but my scar is really bothering me. I've been putting scar treatment on it since the beginning, but it still looks really ugly to me! When I first looked into WLS, I wanted lap, but my doctor didnt do it, and I liked him so lost sight with whether I really wanted lap or open because I wanted to have this surgery so bad and as soon as possible and now I wish I had rather looked for a dr. that did lap. I think the scar was made worse when it pulled up and got infected and the bottom is now this open, red bump which is really unattractive (see pics in profile). My hubby doesnt care, and I probably shouldnt be so vain, but just wanted to hear what you guys had to say. Thanks for letting me vent ... Marlize

Hi Marlize, I don't regret having had open RNY. My doctor does both but he said that he prefers to do open on people as large as me because he is able to see better and there is less chance of complications. I had my gall bladder removed laproscopicly back in 2002 and had HUDGE problems with it, I ended up with a belly button hernia and all kinds of drainage problems, so for me I was plenty ready for open RNY. I do have to say though that I didn't have staples, they used steri-strips to close me up, they stayed on until they fell off about 3 or 4 weeks after surgery. I think your incision will heel fine, mine also has a larger spot at the top and bottom, it is probably just from where the initial cut and ending cut were made, mine seemed to take longer to heel in these two spots than the rest of it. Hope I helped you some Mandie

ARGH...I had my gallbladder removed in 1998...I had it, the hernia, fixed in 2002...where is my head today...I have had too many surgeries! Mandie

Mandie, I heard about some docs using the steri-strips and that helps with keeping the scar nice and thin. I guess I wasnt expecting the scar to look so ugly after the surgery so thats why its probably bothering me so much. Thanks for giving me your input, it makes me feel better hearing everyone's opinion!! Marlize

Marlize- It looks ugly now, but it will fade. In 2001 I had an emergency cardiac bypass-- (long story). Because I was so young, they took my radial artery in my arm and used that for the bypass. I was miserable-- I had an angry purple raised scar from my wrist to my elbow and people would even say-- "oh my god, what happened?" when they saw it. No one even notices it now-- It is the same level as my skin and only a tad paler. The scars will fade in time. However, if you are really concerned, I would put vitamin e on it every time you think about it. I used a little bottle with a roll-on applicator. Also, I think Neosporin makes SCAR reducing patches that you put on and leave on for the week. A friend of mine swears by them. Andrea

I have a huge " earth worm" looking scar going down my tummy too... however, a guy ( from my support group) who had the surgery a few years back showed me how his had faded... it's noticable, but its not too bad. Try not to let it bother you - If Im thin enough for a bikini .. by golly Im gonna wear one....scar or no scar ! After the tummy tuck and the boob lift... Im sure I will look like a human jack o latern.. but I would rather be skinny w/ a scar then a chub w/o one Keep your chin up... you look amazing !!! Hugs ~ Aly

LOL ... "earth worm"... thanks Alicia, I needed to hear that it will fade to barely noticable. I'm also going to get a tummy tuck and boob lift, and I'm hoping that when I get the tt that they will cut away the ugly open part of the scar! Your right though, I'd rather look thin with a scar, than a chub without one!! Atleast I can hide it ... Marlize

Thanks Andrea, everyone tells me the scar will fade, and I had a c-section 6 years ago because of a tumor on my ovaries, and you can barely see the scar, but I dont remember it looking to thick and open!! I'm sorry that you had the surgery in 2001, I hope your fine now ... I've bought special scar treatment creme and I also put on vitamin E cream on my scar and stretchmarks. I think I'll go and buy some of the Neosporin stuff ... thanks for the idea. Marlize

Dont worry about that scar. Scars get less noticeable as time goes on. Us lapers also have scars....5 of em....looks like we were poked and proded all over. LOL

I actually have 7- my doctor just does 7 ports for some reason. It looks like I was stabbed! But a friend of mine, who had surgery a year ago now, has little teeny slits that you hardly notice. It will get better.