Open Rather Than Laproscopic?

Has anyone experienced receiving the Lap Band by having Open Surgey rather than Laproscopicaly? A friend is having Revision Surgery for the Second Time sort of. 15 years ago in Boston she received the VGB - Vertical Gastric Bypass. They placed a Metal Ring around her intake valve at her stomach (which is still in there). Then 5 years (10 years ago) later also in Boston but a different Surgeon, it was Revised to the RNY but at that time they still did not seperate the stomach from the Pouch just placed in a Stapled Line. Both times the Stapled Lines have Re-Opened. So Now another surgeon has advised my friend that it'd be much Safer to put the Banding around her Stomach. Plus because there's No Certainty of what been has Re-Plumbed inside of her. The Surgeon will Open her up for her Third Op to place the Lap-Banding on her. So all comments, remarks & suggestions will be welcomed on this.

Sounds like the surgeon wants to properly inspect all the tissue around the stomach and adjoining areas and make any adjustments before he places the lapband in. A much better inspection can be accomplished in an open surgery. There maybe a lot of issues with scare tissue from the previous surgeries that may have to be addressed before the lapband is installed. Better safe then sorry, especially with this being a third attempt at bariatric surgery

Considering there has been 2 surgeries prior, there is going to be a lot of scar tissue. At the OH event in Lexington I got to see a video of a revision...it is VERY difficult to get through scar tissue...that is probably a major reason it needs to be done open. Best wishes to them. Sarah