Anyone having open RNY?

My doctor just told me yesterday that I will be having my surgery open. I had been prepared for doing it lap. Now I have concerns about how to live with a big slit in my abdomen. I want to take the best precautions I can to avoid wound infections and/or just ripping open on exertion. Any suggestions? Vickie

I'm having Open RNY on 12/20/05. At first i was really geared towards Laparoscopic. I thought i would recover faster and have less scars so i was very interested in Lap. I recently learned that the surgeon i have chosen only does Open RNY. My surgeon was good at explaining to me that he prefers to do RNY OPEN .. his reasons that made me feel better were: it's a faster procedure, therefore i will be under for less time and thus- have less risk of complications than if i were under longer. and he feels better to be able to "handle" my insides rather than use tools. he is a bit old-school. he is an older gentleman and is in his 25th+ yr of experience.. Um- I do hate the thought of a big huge scar and all.. but I am sure the surgeon will advise you on how to care for the incision and help it heal nicely. Good luck to you- and I will be interested in seeing other replies to this post- seeing as i am having OPEN too.

Congratulations on your surgery. I know 4 people who have had open. Actually, that procedure is a bit longer time wise, but everyone I know came through great. They were given a torso "girdle" to wear for 6 months to help with pulling on the incision as well as for preventative measures against hernia. I thought I was going to have open, so after my friend had open in July, she told me this, for 3 days post op she kept thinking WHAT THE HELL HAVE I DONE!!!!!!!! I am not telling you to scare you but rather prepare you as that is why she told me. She said if someone had just told her she'd feel that way it would have made it 100% easier. I'm sure not everyone feels this way, but I am glad I was given the heads up so out of respect and WLS bond, I wanted to share that with you. Everthing will go smoothly, and in a few months you will be on the losing side... Hugs & Prayers. Brenna

I will be having open RNY on 12/05/05 and my Dr prefers the open procedure because there are less chances of complications, he perfoms the leak test before he closes and the incision is only 2 maybe 2 1/2 inches long. I was given a presciption soap and was told to rub Vitamin E oil on the incisison after a week or so, to promote healing.