Make up my mind!!

I am so undecided about what Dr. to have my surgery with. I have an appt. with Dr Graber, and Dr Graniero coming up in the next few weeks. One does open surgery and the other does lap. I am basically all approved to have the surgery done...I just need to choose a surgeon. Lap would be great because of the recovery time, not as invasive, and no big scar. On the other hand; I have heard that open surgery is good because they can see what is going on so much better...like checking for leaks and such. It is a big decision, and I just want to make the right one. What do you think? (you are all so helpful, it is great to have such support)

Is there a surgeon in the area who is qualified to do both lap and open? I have seen many people on here who had to be converted from lap to open in the middle of surgery for various reasons. My surgeon preferred to do my surgery open because I was so heavy (325 lbs.). I think the bigger you are the more difficult it is to do lap. All of these things need to be taken into consideration. Make sure you ask questions.

Hi Bonnie! Are you seeing Dr. Garber in New Hyde Park? If so, he will be doing my surgery in September and he is wonderful and his staff is great as well. He has done a TON of successful lap surgeries! Be ready to see many specialists...he wants to make sure you are in great condition before having surgery. Mine was originally scheduled for August 16th, but abrasions were found in my stomach yesterday during a scope and it has been pushed back so they can heal with meds. Good luck to you...it's a great journey we're on!

I was told the same thing about them being able to see better when they do the proceedure open, but once Dr Graber explained it to me in a way that I understood more I was interested in the lap. Like he explained to me when it is done laproscopically he can see just as well if not better in a small area because a small area in side you is shown on a screen like a 10 x 10 size, so if you take a small area and blow it up to a 10 x 10 I know I could see it better. Also when I had my surgery I know this does work because that is how he caught the fact that I had a blood vessel that was leaking and I was in surgery much longer so he could fix the problem. Also when you meet him he will explain that there is always the chance that he could have to change any surgery to open during the proceedure. If you ever have any questions feel free to email if you would like Betty Jo Lap RNY 7/11/03 W/Dr Graber 399.5/206/150 238.8 inches gone

Also I was almost 400 lbs and he said the lap was no problem on me, so you must remember all patients are sifferent and some doctors have different guidelines that they go by. The only thing that took extra time was the darn leaky blood vessel in my surgery Betty Jo

dear betty jo S; I saw your profile and am very happy for you.I am going through the process for surgery now in syracuse at upstate.How are you doing now.Please let me know at [email protected] would be interested in going to some support groups. Thanks Patsy

My scar is gorgeious - I had open RNY and I was glad, because I didn't want to get all pumped full of gas so that they could see. And I was back at work in two weeks with no problem.

Bonnie, You need to decide which surgeon you feel most comfortable with......I personally had lap, but my surgeon was qualified to do either, he just prefers lap unless medically necessary to have open. A qualified surgeon sees everything up close on a monitor when done lap....he will also check for leaks at the end of surgery. Get all of your questions together and then make an informed decision.l Janean