If you had open ds surgery please help me ?

So I am deciding between ds and sleeve.  I met with a sleeve Dr (does not perform ds) today and he indicated most open ds surgeries end up with a hernia.  I made him clarify that I should anticipate getting a hernia after an open ds surgery.... and he said yes.

If you had an open ds surgery did you experience a hernia?

I do not have a surgeon near me that will do the surgery by lap.  Looking at the scar and recovery is causing me to consider the sleeve instead.  Although, I believe the ds would be the best option for me.

Thanks for your help.  This is such a hard decision!

 my surgeon only does open DSs.  I am almost 5 years out - no hernia.

I personally preferred the open procedure as IMHO the surgeon has a better view of the inards and can move things around and out of the way, reducing the chance of nicks and leaks.

I also had many adhesions from prior surgeries that would have made laproscopic surgery more difficult, so it worked out in my best interest to have open surgery

The open surgery has implications on the recovery period.  I took it easy, ensured no straining, and my incision healed just fine.

Have the discussion with a vetted DS surgeon to hear his thoughts on open v. lap, and hernias.

I had an incisional hernia after an open DS. Got it fixed along with abdominoplasty. It's not a big deal, really.

It didn't hurt. Incisional hernias usually are quite large, so intestine does not get stuck in a small hole like with "natural" hernias - normally no necrosis or anything really bad, that docs like to scare us.

So I had a little pregnant look... OK, VERY pregnant look, even got offered a "priority seat" in Montreal subway by a young girl, lol. It was just an inconvenience, not a HUGE problem.

I was wondering.... did your insurance pay for the adominoplasty because it entailed a hernia?  Thanks so much for sharing.

partially. I've got hernia repair, hospital stay and anesthesia covered, but payed the rest of plastics out of pocket. If you also have excess skin issues - irritations, rushes, etc. you might get skin removal covered. You need a plastic surgeon, who is good with paperwork, because insurance payment is based on the info, the surgeon provides - the more "issues" your surgery fixes, the more coverage you get..

Thanks so much for your response.

It really helps to hear from people who have been there! 

Four years post op on Oct 15. no hernia and stomach flat as a board. open DS.

open is best in my opinion becuase they can measure and do the Hess method.

Good luck!

 

 

 

 I am 2 years post op and have had no hernia!

I had the DS Switch just this summer by laproscopy.  If I had it to do over again, I would just do the sleeve because of less complications.

Did you have complications?  I hope you are doing okay.