Open RNY, anyone?

Hi all,
I'm just wondering of we have any open RNY vets out there?
As I will be having the open procedure on August 11th, and the anxieties are in full force about recovery and all.

So any info you have and/or stories to share of your own experiences would be very apprreciated!  Thanks!

<3 Shannon

Hi Shannon- I had an open RNY on August 16th 2005. I healed beautifully and was back to work in 3 weeks. This is amazing because I am diabetic and heal slowly. The scar is minimal. I had the procedure done at Barix Clinic, where I received excellent care and proper instruction for wound care. I do not like to take pain medicine and so after I went home I only took one pain pill the first day and that was it. I was 53 when I had the surgery. If you are younger you may heal even more quickly. I wish you the very best of luck.
Nancy C.-Langhorne, PA

Hi Shannon!

I had open RNY May 11, 2006 at the Barix Clinic in Langhorne, like Nancy.  I was out of the hospital in 3 days and back to work in 3 weeks.  I'm an accountant, so I do have a desk job, but I still wasn't able to lift anything over 10 lbs when I went back to work.  For the first week back my boss let me work as much as I could each day...some days it was the whole day, but others I was heading home by noon.  I didn't have any problems at all during recovery.  My scar is still visible, but I'm ok with that....I never planned on wearing a bikini.  LOL!! If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask me.

Hi there,
I also had open RNY on August 28, 2006, at Barix Clinic in Langhorne.  I was back to work in six weeks, because I am a teacher.  I had no problem with wound care healing, or any other issues. 

Good Luck.

Hugs,
Trish

I'm not a vet, but I echo what others have said above. I had an open RNY on January 30, 2008. The pain was never as bad as my expectations, nor was having to sleep on my back a problem like I expected it to be. I had no wound infections, or other issues which I'd also expected. My scar is beginning to fade and become smaller, from the bottom up. I am very glad I chose to have an open procedure done, as I was a high risk patient for this surgery. I had no complications and I cannot say enough good things about my surgeon. I am very blessed.

I had open RNY in Sept. 05.  I did have a problem , an infection. I had been home a couple of days and smelled really bad, ( I'm not telling you this to scare you just so you know that some things do happen once in a while ) My insision was draining alot. I called the doctor and told his nurse. It wasn't until I said it smelled that they were concerned and had me come back in. I was in a week longer with IV antibiotics. Came home with an open wound that a home health care worker came to put in a "wound vac" and it was changed three times a week . I had that for about 6 weeks until I healed.

I want to say that yes, there are sometimes complications . It is up to you to know what your body is telling you . If you have a question ask, call your doctor (first and foremost)
, ask on this board. There are no "stupid questions" .

With this infection there was no temperature, no real pain ( except for the insision) only the smell. Six months later I also had an insisional hernia ( looked like I was pregnant) Make sure if you are given a binder , wear it ! No heavy lifting ! Follow doctors orders ! The good part about the hernia was that when I had it fixed I also had 7 lbs of my panni removed that day!
Now for the important question >>>>>>>>>Would I do it again ? >>>> YES, DEFINATELY ......In a heartbeat !  I have lost over a hundred pounds, feel better than I have in a long time, can chase my grandson without having to sit down every 5 minutes, can tie my shoes, go on walks . I weigh now what I weighed over 30 years ago ( wish I was the same age ).

I hope I didn't scare you. Good Luck and make sure you get in your protein. After I came home from the infection my surgeon said to make sure I got in extra protein for faster healing. Thanks to my husband he made sure I got it in , I healed  fast, even the doctor was impressed.

Again, Good Luck
Sandy

Hi Shannon,

I went in to have lap and at the last minute they went open.  Beside a slight wound infection there was no problems.  I did get a hernia and had it repaired this January.  I was up and around right after the sugery and back home in two days.  I live alone and I don't remember having any difficulties getting around.


Good luck to you. 

Jeanne

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me.
I hope my recovery is smoooooth.  I really wanna hit this whole thing outta the park, ya know?