Open RNY vs. Lap RNY

Just wondering what everyone else would choose and why? I have the option of either? I'm thinking open to reduce the risk of complications. What do you think? Christie

Right now I am going with Lap for the quick recovery and less scaring however, I need my gallbladder out to so may easily be talked into open. Whatever they think is the best for what they need to do is OK by me. June

Christie: My insurance wouldn't cover lap for me. Of course I was glad they covered any of it. So I will be having open. Jacque

here too lap for fast recovery....

If you can have the RNY Lap, then I'd say why not do it. I had a lap hysterectomy and was back at work in 2 weeks. The scars are tiny and they healed very well. Good luck with your decision! -joanne

My Dr. doesn't do Lap so it's open for me. Both have their advantages. To be honest even though the recovery is easier I think with a Lap I've heard of incidents where they had to change from Lap to Open during the surgery. The downside of Open I think is the recovery time is longer. Best Wishes Patty

Hi - I am having open vs lap. My doctor informed me that there have been too many complications from lap, leakage and everything and that you are more prone to have to have another surgery afterward. By doing open my doctor also does an internal exam to make sure there are no cysts, tumors etc that my have been overlooked by other doctors. Since I will not need my gallbladder that is being removed. I thought that recovery from open was 6-8 weeks but am finding out that people having open are recovering at a lot faster pace. There is more scarring, but I am beyond the bikini years so don't care. I just want the surgery to be safe and feel that the open is the best option for me. Let me know what you decide. Jan in Oregon

Hi Christie! I am attempting lap. My surgeon is very well trained and has done hundreds of surgeries. His only concern is that I will be one of his largest patients. He said that when I weighed 521 and I am now down to 488. Anyway, he gave me a 20% chance we will have to revert to open mainly because of vicseral fat (fat around the organs) and visiblity in the abdomen. I would prefer lap because with open there is a higher risk of wound infection, hernias, and just down-right-pain! But if I didn't have the choice between lap and open, I would still have the surgery. *~Amber~*