Please share your experiences with lap...

For those of you who have had Lap done could you please tell me what to expect and give me advice???? Thanks, Janet

Janet, I had my RNY-lap surgery Sept. 18, 2003 and had no problems at all. They just make 3-4 small incisions, fill your belly with air, and I was up walking a few hours after surgery. The only thing that was uncomfortable for me was the air in my belly. It took 4-5 days to fully get absorbed into my body. I had no stitches or staples only steri-strips, so I didn't have to worry about having anything taken out. Lap for me was the only way to go, and if you have a choice lap is the way to go. I wish you all the best. Shelly

Janet, I had lap rny on 12/8/2003 and had no problems at all. I have 4 little incisions that my surgeon stitched on the inside and glued at the skin. I had a drain while in the hosp it came out when I came home. I felt pain in the recovery room but they fixed that right away and used the morphine pump the first night and part of the next day but on my last morning there did not use. They came in with addl. pain med in the IV so I never felt real pain just a dull pain when I got up etc. I was able to get up by myself unhook my compression things on my legs the second nite and go to the bathroom and take walks by myself. I had my surgery at 1 in the afternoon on Monday and went home at 1 in the afternoon on Wed. Since being home I've gotten along great my husband left on Friday for Phoenix so I've been alone and had no problems it is really easier not having to worry about fixing meals etc. for someone else. Figuring out how much to eat is a battle but I think I'm getting better at it everyday. My surgeon did a wonderful job I am so glad I had the lap I think it is easier.

I had LAP RNY in Iowa City on May 27 '03 ... Dr. Maher did my surgery. I have six little holes, that after just 6 1/2 months are really disappearing nicely. I had absolutely NO gas pains (air pains) like you hear people talk about. I was up walking withing 3 hours of returning to my room. I think I was a wimp - because I leisurely recovered at home for 4 weeks (which was what the dr. office suggested I be off work). But like someone else said ... LAP is the only way (in my opinion to go!).