Now I have to have open RNY

I did not want to have it open I wanted lap. The doc is leaving the practice. So now I have to go open because dr caruanna only does open. the other doc in the area that does lap Rny who I was going to go through (but I switched to dr panamanglor) I canceled my appt and now would have to wait until novamber to get surgery by him because he doesn;t even have any openings for the first appt until end of july then you have to do the southbeach diet for 6 weeks then make an appt to meet surgeon. and I am not gonna wait until then for surgery. So I guess I will have to have it open. The only benifit I see having it open is no gas pains to deel with. how is the scar after it heals? do you go home with drainage tubes. Do you have to get the stiches out after a couple of weeks? Does it hurt to wear pants? Somebody please help answer some f my dumb questions. thanks Sheila

Sheila,  I'm sorry you have to go through this.  Do you have to use this practice? I don't have any answers for you...but I'm sure someone does!   Karen

Hey Sheila! Nice to see you online! As you know, I am with Dr. Posner in Bflo, NY. I so completely understand your frustration, desperation. I fought hard to get past my desperation for having surgery ASAP. I wanted it to be easy (it's NOT), I wanted it soon (Nope) and I didn't want to go on the SoB diet (...still don't like it, but it is now livable). And, like you, I am panicking, looking for whatever surgery will get it done! But I think doing the ANNOYING (to say the least!) test's, poking and prodding, dieting, psych tests, waiting, journaling, insurance ping pong, paperwork mishaps, weighing (no pun intended) the pro's and con's of doing "which" surgery, or having any "surgery" at all, and continuing to be a compulsive eater, or perhaps worse because of the stress....I think it's all necessary. Now don't go thinking I don't mind all this crap, I freakin hate it! And I've been whining about it on OH for over a year now. But, I am practicing a form of "making peace with your inner self" now, and I, for the most part, am tolerating all the bull... that I have to go through to do what seems to us, a simple procedure.

My point Sheila, is, do some serious deep thinking within yourself and get that desperate feeling you (we all) have/had, away from your soul. If you're desperate, you're not thinking straight. And with surgeries such as these, and the lifestyles afterward, we can't afford to be all Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh......mistakes are made when things aren't thought through well enough. Understand that I am in NO way undermining your very understandable emotions, I'd just like to see you less desperate. You're such a nice person, and I feel your fears, and I don't want you to have to have those fears. I invite you to vent on me if you'd like. I've done more than "vent" to many others, and they all still stood by me. I'm here, you know where I am. I don't have the answers, but I can empathize and be a sounding board. Or maybe even help you, huh? Please keep in touch...

Crazy Polly

Sheila,

PLEASE don't take this the wrong way but I would NEVER have open unless it was medically necessary. Granted: any Lap can turn into an Open....but to pick it by default? Nope.

What not find a new group????

My Mom had open. She has a long scar and the healing was worse, as was the pain.
Think this through before agreeing to an Open!

Hugs,
Karen 

I had open RNY and yes, you do have a long scar.  There is a drain you have for one week.  My scar has healed nicely but I also put scar cream on it.  I was out of work for 3 1/2 weeks.  I did not have any pain but was very sore in the stomach area, like you've done one million sit ups.  You definitely need help because you cannot bend over for the first 2 weeks which is when the staples usually come out.  I lived in a nightgown and robe while I was home.  When I went to work I made sure I wore elastic pants.  Everyone has a different opinion about open vs. lap.  For me, I preferred to have it open so the doctor could see exactly what he was doing as opposed to watching a monitor.  That's my personal opinion.  I have no regrets.   But you have to decide if you really don't want open RNY then you need to be patient and wait.  It will all be worth it in the end no matter which type of surgery you choose. Good luck to you!! Lynn

Hi Sheila, My name is Trish.  I did alot of research and it took me two years to make a decision on my surgeon.  I originally chose a surgeon because he did it lap and went through the entire process only to find out that he wanted to REMOVE my stomach entirely because of some benign stomach polyps.  I could not allow myself to be so desperate that I would just say "yes" to that because I wanted my surgery lap.  So what did I do?  I spent the next year getting 3 other 2nd opinions until I finally found a surgeon who was on the same page as me.  You will not feel confident going into the hospital until you make this connection with your doctor.  You are putting your life (and future) in their hands.  Do NOT pick someone simply because "that's all there is".  We do that with clothes because its all that is available to fit us, but this is your LIFE!! It took me 2 years but I am not 7 months post-op and I would not have rushed into it any other way.  I had total piece of mind when I went to the hospital.  I did have it done laproscopically.  I would not choose open by default.  While both procedures are risky, the open is a far great risk of infection and I hate to tell you this but either way, you will get gas pain!  I had gas pain from lap and my girlfriend had gas pain and she had it open.  They still fill you up with air to do this surgery.  Recovery is different for everyone, you will want to dress comfortable after surgery.  I had no drains and no staples.  Those who have it open, do have drains and stitches.  But either way, that is the least of it.  You will be back on your feet in a few short weeks and the pain will be minimal because they give you good drugs in the hospital and pain meds to take home with you.  Go into this with a positive frame of mind and determination to do whatever is right to get through with it and you will be just fine.  But if you begin your journey with a "rush" frame of mind and desperation, this will only compound your fears.  Good luck in your decision.  Shop around.

Sheila;

I just had open RNY with Dr. Carauna last Wednesday.  I went with him because open was the only way I wanted the procedure done.  I am so glad that I chose the open.  He was able to get a good look at my gallbladder and it was nasty and had to be removed.   I worken in a surgery dept for 2 years our people who had procedures open very rarely ever went back to surgery for complications, but our lap patients went back much more frequently (gallbladder, hernia, ect........ done lap). Dr. Caurauna was great.  I had the procedure done on Wed at 10:30am.  Had the drains (I had two because of the gallbladder being removed) Friday am and was suppose to stay until Sat am but was doing so great that they sent me home Friday afternoon at 3pm.   The incision is about 6 in long but not horrible looking.  I have worn pants.  Honestly I have more problem with my bra near the incision site because I am so heavy on top and sag so much.  The pants don't even come close to touching the incision.  I go on Tues to have my staples out and will return to my desk job the following day. Out of work for 2 weeks.   Not bad at all.     I can't believe that Dr. Panamanglor is leaving.  He just started there.  I have a friend scheduled to have lap by him the first week of June.  Had no idea he wasn't sticking around.  I would recommend Dr. C very highly.   Things went like clockwork for both me and my daughter who had her surgery by him the 29th of March.   She also had the open with not one single complication.  The man knows what he is doing.   For me the decision to have open was a personal one due to my personal experience working in the healthcare field.  Everyone thought I was crazy because I wanted open.  I was at Lowes and Walmart shopping on Sunday.    Best of luck to you. Sally

 

sally, Thank you very much for the info. I decided I am going to do it open with Dr caruanna. I had two freids that had it done by him to they said the pain was well woth it. and would do it again. They both said the worst thing was getting the drainage tubes taken out. both of them were walking 5 hours after there surgery. I all ready  got approved so I am doing it. Lets GET R DONE (the cable guy comedian)LOL. I just cant wait to I get surgery date!!!!!! hope fully friday after I meet with DR. WEre the staples taken out at synergy or at the hospital? Did it hurt? Sheila

Sheila, PLEASE don't rush this. Please. Two friends' experiences are two of SO many more you can find on ObesityHelp that will give you a much larger range of actual experience's. I just want to ask, Are you listening to the above mesages? They make sense, you have to know that! Regardless, I will pray for you, a lot.

Good Luck, and Stay in Touch with OH.

Sheila, PLEASE PLEASE have a visit for an additional opinion. I sense your urgency, but accepting an OPEN is, well, unacceptable. Why do you think 99.9% of the newer doctors do it Lap nowadays? LESS COMPLICATIONS, no Staples, no long scar, less scar tissue, less pain, less chance of infection. TOO MANY REASONS to not go for another opinion. Please reconsider. -Karen