Lap vs. Open

Does anyone know if there are any other surgeons commutable from Iowa City that do Lap besides U of I? I've also been looking at Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, and Davenport, but haven't actually talked to anyone except Terry from Genesis in Davenport. She said that one of their surgeons is in training for Lap right now and they hope to start doing them in January. Actually that's about the soonest I could do this anyway. I just keep trying to find something even closer to home (Cedar Rapids would be great!) that doesn't have a year long wait.....and I was really hoping for lap. For those of you who had open, was it that bad? Thanks guys! Chris C.

Chris, I had lap with Dr. Glas**** in Cedar Falls and he is wonderful. I had surgery on a Wed, got out of the hosp by noon on Fri, rested the next week and was back to week the following Monday. You can hardly see the scars. IA City to Cedar Falls would interstate the whole way -- not a bad trip at all. E-mail me if you have more questions. The staff at Dr. G's office and Sartori Hospital are just wonderful. Janie 4/14/2004 Lap RNY 272/189/140?

I personally would want someone who has had experience doing LAPs instead of being one of his first. I have read reports that indicate that the fatality rate & other problems tend to be pretty high during the first 100 or so procedures. If that is the case I would choose open over LAP. My surgeon has done well over 400 LAPs with no deaths and is well worth the almost year wait I had to endure. I totally agree with Janie. Dr. G is great & you can't beat his staff. Dixie

Chris, Hi- let's see if I can help you. I went through the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery in Davenport and absolutely love it. The program is so comprehensive - I see a dietician, physical therapist, surgeon, etc. every three months. I see them all again in September for my 9 month check-up. My surgery was open and done by Dr. Christophersen with the assistance of Dr. Phelps. I went to an informational meeting in mid-August, actually made a decision and got paperwork in to them in October and surgery was December 9th. It all went very quickly. I was actually patient number 12 through the program because it was fairly new at the time. I'm not sure which surgeon is training for lap now, or if it is both. I would trust either surgeon. Personally, I did not have any many major issues with the open. I was back to work by January 5th (only to get the flu at school and be home for another 3 days). They have good pain meds when you need them if you are afraid of the pain of open surgery. Whatever the case, feel free to e-mail me if you want more info about the Genesis program. I would be happy to share what info I have so you can compare programs and make a choice with which you are comfortable. Good luck and God bless, Andrea

I had my surgery through U of I.....I first only wanted open....it is safer and the healing time isn't much more! I chose Maher and he only does lap unless he has to open you up......I ended up having lap because that is what Maher does, but I really wnated open! If you consider open I too would reccomend Genesis....there program is just great.....the aftercare is amazing and that matters A LOT!!!!! Good luck whatever you decided! JEsi

Wow....Jesi, I think you're the first person I've met who actually wanted open rather than lap. Hmmmm.....something to think about. I'll keep you guys posted! Chris C.

Well I just may be a nut I guess....but I am all about safety! When you read about it and think about it, open is SSSOOOO much safer......They have their actual hands on your parts fixing them and sewing them up.....they can actually feel and squeez and test for leaks. Having it lap they can only see the little spaces they are working in.....they can't feel for leaks.....they are relying on instruments to do everything other than there hands and they can only see through a camera......SCARY to me.....The one and only reason I went ahead with lap is because Maher was very good and had a complication rate of 0! And with lap I was very sore......filled with gas....takes awhile to get all that trapped gas out, and my little bitty incisions took longer to heal than my good friend (Andrea D) large incision! I had an open incision long after hers was all healed, and she was open.......so you just never know I guess!!! Keep us updated.....Take Care Jesi