Only openRNY for Kaiser patients!

I was really suprised to learn at the group meeting with the social worker at Kaiser yesterday that they don't do lapRNY - only open. The gal there said it was because they beleived it was safer - does anyone have any more info. on this? I'm curious if it's because the 3 surgeons they have aren't trained for lap..... the differences between open and lap I have heard are all pro lap - I've heard there is longer healing time, more chance of infection and more occurance of hernias after open. Anyone know why open would be safer?

Hmmm - I have also heard the same as you. Open has a lot more chance of infection and is a lot harder on the body. I am very surprised too. Linda

Hi Wendy, I had Lap surgery in California and, when I moved here, was told that they simply didn't have surgeons trained to do Lap. Lap is great if the patient isn't super morbidly obese and there isn't a lot of scar tissue present from prior surgeries. It becomes safer to do open in these patients, because the surgeons have to be able to see inside better. Hope this helps. Joy

I also had Lap RNY surgery through Kaiser in California last year. My surgeon was very skilled in lap, in fact he TAUGHT it to other surgeons. I healed very fast and am so happy I had it lap instead of open. I have also heard the same reasons for open: if someone is super morbidly obese, or if someone has serious scar tissue in the abdomen areas, they do it open. Rebecca M. 269/164/155?

Wendy, I am going through the Kaiser process also and at our orientation meeting what we were told was Kaiser surgeons would need to preform appox 200 lap surgeries to considered "proficient" in this type of surgery. And because they have not done this they can not preform a type of surgery they are not proficient in. We were told they are working on it but it may take another few years before they are ready to start doing laparoscopic surgeries. I know I feel much better knowing the type of surgery they are doing now is one they are "proficient" in. This is all I know. Sarah

Hi Wendy: Well, I am going to Salem hospital to have my surgery and they only do OPEN also. My doctor says her is able to do a better job this way and if there is something else that needs to come out he is able to do it right then. I have to have my gullbatter out at the same time. So I feel it is worth it to have it done open. Lori M