Laproscopic vs. open bypass surgery.....

Hey everyone!!!! Ok, other than faster recovery time and it being less invasive, are there more advantages to having lapro. compared to open??? When I had my surgery consult, Dr. Schram wants me to lose as much weight between now and the surgery to hopefully be able to do the procedure laproscopically. He said "try to lose at least 40-45 lbs!!!" Ummmm, hello??? If I could lose 40lbs sucessfully, I wouldn't be needing this surgery......hahahahahaaha!!! Can someone out there please help me understand?? In addition, I feel like I'm eating like it's the "LAST SUPPER"!!!!!!! It's like I know that very soon, I won't be able to enjoy food, so I need to soak it all up before it's gone......is anyone else feeling or have you felt this way??? Thanks!!! Anne

My dr. wanted me to lose 20lb.s before I had to go on the pre-surgery diet. I only lost 10lb.s. I tried hard but I agree, if we could have lost it we wouldn't need the suregery. I was required to go on a strict diet 2 weeks prior to surgery and if I didn't lose at least something the surgery was to be cancelled. I lost 19 lb.s on this diet. Did you ask your dr. is there was a diet you could go on? How long has he given you to lose the weight? Leeanne

Hey Leeanne!! They want me to focus on a high protien diet.......Dr. Schram said that I needed to lose as much weight as I could before having the surgery....so between now and then......I'm thinking in the next 2 months???? I ahave great insurance, and he said that BC/BS MESSA has automatic acceptance....I just need to wait for the paperwork to be completed. Plus I have to get the sleep study and clearance from the cardiologist. Anne

Please read the email I sent to you, it was much too long to post here. Good luck to you, Jill

Hi Anne, I know how your feeling......... Dr Kemmeter is the surgeon I saw too on the 18th of April........Boy I swear since he told me to loose ten pounds, I'm eating more! I think I'm just so keyed over the wait for approval......Not a word from BC/BS and its been nearly a month. If I don't loose the weight will they refuse to do the surgery? Connie

You will get good answers supporting both and bad answers for both. The reason being is because each has its own unique risks. It all depends on which risks you are more willing to take on. I was more afraid of getting an undetected leak versus getting hernias or wound infections so I chose open. It was the right choice for me but may not be for others. If you are diabetic or have problems with wound healing, an open procedure may pose more of a risk to you than others that don't have that problem. I made a chart listing the types of surgery, duedenol switch, rny, and lap band. I listed all of the complications unique to those surgeries and I was able to come up with the RNY as the surgery of choice for me. I then did a chart of the unique complications for "open" vs "lap" and decided that open was right for me. Do a search on the Q &A board to get other experiences as well.