Open RNY

I had my appointment with Dr. Hornbostel yesterday and he has accepted me as a patient. But because I've had 5 stomach surgeries during my life time, we are going with an open RNY. That's OK with me. I just wondered if there was anyone out there that has had their surgery 'open' or if everyone is lap? I'd like to know how you did? Was there a lot of pain or just like any other open stomach surgery? How long did you end up in the hospital? Dr. H said if I'm doing OK I may only have to stay 1 extra day. I'm so excited about the surgery--I don't care which way it's done! Let's just get it done! Thanks, Linda

It sounds like you have a good attitude about having the surgery. I had my surgery open and there was very little pain. I was in the hospital for 5 days but I had to stay longer because I had mine done over the Christmas holiday and the people who do the leak teast were off till the 26th. You will do fine and you have an excellant doctor. Keep us posted on your progress. Wayne

Linda great news...I also think you have a great outlook on this and want it really bad...Iam sure you will be ok. Just remember and I know you'ver heard it millions of times.. Jesus will be there with you.....Craig Lee

My wife and I both had lap rny, but I have many freinds who had open rny. You just have to make sure your incision does not get infected. And I think it is a little more painful. Lap is easier to recover from, but the results are the same. You will lose tons of weight fast.

I had open RNY after they attempted lap rny & couldn't do it due to adhesions from a gallbladder surgery & a partial colectomy. I had to be on a vent over night & had blood transfusions. I was in the hospital 6 days, I had MAJOR regrets at first but now ( I've lost 136#) I'm happy about the whole thing. Best of luck. Kathy C.

Thanks everybody for the information. It sounds like it's just like any other time you have stomach surgery. You're right, I do want this very badly. I made up my mind that I will do everything just like Dr. H says to do it with no variations! I talked to my dad last night and he is getting real excited for me. Of course, my husband and son are my biggest supporters besides my dad. This really helps keep me on track. I'll really be glad when I get that call telling me when I'm going to have surgery. Every time the phone rings, I cross my fingers hoping this is the one! LOL Thanks again, and hope you all have a great holiday weekend. Me, I'm going to Pomme de Terre in our motorhome and enjoying the warm days and cool nights. Linda

Linda, I had an open RNY due to adhesions from 3 prior stomach surgeries. Actually i was turned down by three surgeons before getting a wonderful surgeon in SL, Dr. Fabito, who has since retired. I was fine with the open surgery because I figure they can see everything better and they don't pump you full of gas. My abdominal hernia repair and my first c-section were 10 times worse than the open RNY. The drain was uncomfortable but not unbearable and was out quickly. I was more bummed with not being able to eat anything solid for several weeks. I think it was coming down from the food high I had been on all my life. But, I survived! The abdominal hernia repair I had about five years before my open rny was the pits. I was sicker than a dog and seemed to take a long time to recover. Recently, however, I had another hernia repair after having lost 158 lbs. This one was done laproscopically and was much easier than the first, even though they did 12 incisions and put mesh in from side to side and top to bottom on my abdominal area. That was the end of March and I'm fully recovered from it now. You should do fine. I had no complications. Everything went very smoothly. Teresa