Second Thoughts. Dr. Friedman only does Open but now i'm thinking of Lap.

I need to make this very critical decision soon before it's too late. I was told early on that I could only have the RNY Open because of my previous abdominal surgery but when I met with Dr. Friedman he said that is false. He explained that I can have it either way. So I looked into it and came to the decision to have it Open because the complication rate for leaks was less then Lap, but now I am having second thoughts. I hate the idea of being cut wide open and having all of those staples! Dr. Friedman only performs the surgery Open, so if I choose Lap I will have to change Doctor's. I don't know what to do. I am so confused. I have 4 months left to go on my diet plan required by insurance, i'm worried that if I do change Doctor's they will put me on a waiting list. Can anyone give me some input or suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

Hi Felicia, Sorry that you are having a difficult time choosing between the procedures. I can't give you advice, because only you can choose, but I can tell you what I did. My surgeon also prefers open, because you can see more and IF there is any kind of problem it is more easily visible and can be taken care of without having to do it later. I went with that option, because it sounded good to me. I had my surgery on 12/16/03 and was in the hospital 3 days. Sure, I was sore and took it easy for about a week and a half, but really I was able to get around ok, got enough rest, and even went shopping while taking care of two kids under 3 (with help from my mother and husband.) I went back to work after 2 and a half weeks and have had no difficulties. My incision has healed very nicely and my stitches were on the inside so I didn't have to deal with them. I had NO problems with the incision at all. Hopefully this info can help you. Good luck and take care! ~Lynn

Hi Felecia, I am really impressed with how well you have done getting through all of the steps required in the journey towards a surgery date. I think for a 22 year old you are very composed. I too was faced with your very decision about Dr. Friedman and an open/lap. I was in the surgery program at Kaiser for one and a half years, working my way through the "to do list" of appointments. They only offer the open procedure. My insurance changed at the first of the year. I assumed that I could not get lap because of a previous surgery. so upon research on this site I chose to see Dr. Friedman. I really liked him, and felt very comfortable with his advice. To his credit, he advised me to consider both options. I was so surprised to learn that adhesions do not by themselves usually rule out a lap procedure. I had a spot reserved at Dr. Pattersons informational seminar (she specializes in lap). I was planning to cancel, because I really like Dr. Friedman and felt like he was ready to submit to insurance with no further requirements. Well I kept the appointment, and was so impressed with how informative it was. I am surprised that I felt the way I did. I came away feeling like even though I want this done yesterday, I think I am going to pursue the lap. I am raising a family and the biggest factor for me was that the recovery seems to be so much easier with the lap. I also reacted to the fact that Dr. Patterson has devoted her practice exclusively to this procedure and think with that comes a passion for the support of its success. I think either procedure will be fine for you. You seem really prepared, and have family support. You are so lucky that you are so young, and haven't suffered the damage decades of obesity can reap. I predict you will bounce back quickly with either procedure. I do think you should consider attending Dr. Friedman's seminar, while you are waiting. Good luck!

Thank you Ladies for the support, I really appreciate it

I know I'm a day late and a dollar short for replying, but I have to say that for the brief time I thought I'd get this done here in the US, I considered lap briefly. I had a successful lap on my gallbladder before, so it wasn't that I couldn't have it, but knowing that the risk of complications goes up with the lap made me feel even if it is a small percentage difference, I still want to have this as safe as possible. It's a hard choice, but once you find a doctor you click with and who has a good reputation, you might want to consider that above the scar. Most of the scars I've seen are decent looking too - losing weight while healing helps that minimize the appearance. Good luck whatever you decide to do. I know being young you may also be looking at the possibility of wearing outfits that show off your tummy when you get to that point, so I can understand your concerns both ways! Dina