Why Open over Lap?

Hi Everyone, First of all just a quick update. I went to see my new PCP this morning and Wow.. what a difference between one that wants to help and one that doesn't! She was really great for the first meeting. She seems to know exactly what needs to be done with the paperwork and what it needs to show. I'm still waiting for the packet from Henry Ford, but once I get it she wants me to come back in for a physical, EKG..all that fun stuff. She took bloodwork today for cholesterol.. she said my blood pressure is a little high today (due to anxiety i'm sure) but she wants me to increase my b/p medicine for it to come down before my physical. She said once I get my physical, that same day she will get a letter off to Henry Ford with the packet for insurance approval. She told me that Henry Ford is the best place for me to go with HAP to get approval... so I'm hopeful. (As long as all these tests don't show something else wrong with me!!!!) The question I have is why it seems so many of you have had Open RNY when Laproscopic is available? I know Dr. Carling/Dr. Genaw do both, as I'm sure other do, but it seems Open RNY is still the most done...just wondered why. I would rather not get cut from stem to stern if possible, but maybe there's something I don't know about... Thanks again for your support...

Congrats on your appointment, Kim. It sounds like it went very well. I too am going to my new PCP on Monday through Henry Ford and I also have HAP. What packet is your doctor referring to? I know I called and got an info packet and they said to call back when I got my HAP ID so they could do an intake form, which Im planning on calling for today. Just wondering if this is what your doctor was referring to??? BTW, who are you seeing for your PCP? As for open vs LAP, I don't know all the reasons to choose one over the other, but the surgeon will recommend what he feels is best for your case. Open is easier on very large people because they can see everything better. I need to lose about 120-130 pounds, so I can probably go LAP without any problems. The recovery time for LAP is shorter as is the hospital stay. Maybe others have more info on the differences.

Lap is more risky. They cannot see as well and have a higher incident rate. I started with lap and they ended up opening me up to stop the bleeding. I lost a bit of blood. Also while I was in the hospital another lap patient was on life support after bleeding out. I'm not trying to scare you, I chose lap knowing they had a higher incident rate because of the shorter recovery time. I ended up open anyway, be aware that you may start lap and wake up open. It is a personal choice, some people with higher risk factors usually choose open because of the lower risk. Wendy

Oh Kim, just thought Id relay what the intake specialist told me when I called back today...she said that the process runs much more smoothly if you are within the HFH system than if your PCP is outside the HFH system (HAP patients anyway).

Thanks for the information. The packet I think IS the info packet .. I called Henry Ford (Wanda's number) and was told to call an 800 number and get put into the H/F system...which I did, they said they would send out a packet and that when I received it to take it to my PCP and she will help make sure everything is filled out ... does this sound like what you received? I wonder if I should call Wanda... do you know how late they are there? My new PCP is Maria Goleba in Davison. From what I saw today she was wonderful..understanding, supportive and not one to let things just slide along.... I just know I HAVE to have a referral from my PCP to Henry Ford and then go from there. My PCP said Henry Ford will submit to the insurance and such... so we will see.. I really hope things progress smoothly.. for you too Colleen!!!!!!!!

All I got was an info packet. It introduced the doctors and the staff, the procedure and how it works. There was nothing to fill out. Ive not been told about anything to fill out. I wonder if they were supposed to send me something else?

well I tried calling Wanda or her secretary, but I was told they had a meeting the afternoon and won't be bac****il morning. I will call then and see if there is something else. I know they told me to call 1-800-436-7936 to make sure I was registered in the system and they gave me and ID number. Did you do that Coleen? This number is the one that also told me they would send out a packet to me...

well I tried calling Wanda or her secretary, but I was told they had a meeting the afternoon and won't be bac****il morning. I will call then and see if there is something else. I know they told me to call 1-800-436-7936 to make sure I was registered in the system and they gave me and ID number. Did you do that Coleen? This number is the one that also told me they would send out a packet to me...

Yes Im registered in the system. The intake specialist told me that she would forward that info to the bariatric nurse (Im assuming wanda) and I should be hearing from them to set up the nurse/nutrition consult. Im not sure if you need a referral for that or not, but I know you need it for the surgeon and you cannot see the surgeon before doing the n/n consult, which is a 4-hour seminar from what Ive been told. I see my PCP on Monday, so Im sure they will be able to tell me more or if I need to do something else in the interim.

Colleen, Call them, there should have been papers for you to fill out about med's you're taking diet's you've tried, medical history that kind of stuff. God bless you, Annette