Has anyone had to have the two part lap rny

My doctor has suggested that I have a 2 part procedure in which the restriction portion is done 1st and then the malabsorption part of the surgery is performed 6- 8 months later when I have drooped at least 80 pounds I anm currently 370 pounds and 5"8 inches tall this is all lap if I had it open with another doctor I would be able to complete the entire procedure in one step. I have a few fears about open vs lap like the additional pain and recovery time that many experience. Can any one help I have completed all of my testing and zI am approved I just need to decide between a and b

I have never heard of a 2 part surgery, but I do know that many are told they need to lose weight prior to the laproscopic surgery being done. I know, too, that there are surgeons who don't require this. As for the open requiring a longer recovery period, if the only lap doc you can go to requires TWO recoveries, maybe the open wouldn't be so bad... My husband had open 4 weeks ago today, and he has recovered nicely. In the long run you have to choose what's right for you, but two surgeries sounds like a bigger pain than one! Good luck, Jen

I would look for another doctor. I have never heard of this. I know many many people, some of them heavier than you who've had successful lap procedures done in one fell swoop. It sounds to me like he wants to be able to charge for two procedures when in reality it is only one. Do yourself a favor and get a second opinion/doctor. Elena

My surgery is dec 28. I had gastroplasty in 1989, so I have a seven inch scar down my middle. Yes I lost wieght, gained it back plus 40 lbs. I weigh 300lbs. My dtr is doing the stomach open, but laproscopriply doing the intestine part.

Dee Dee, Hi there. I had lap RNY on 5/21/2004 and I have lost over 100lbs. I was weighing 429lbs and I have had no problems. So you may want to ask another surgeon . Take care. Sandra

Are you SURE you are having a two part lap RNY? It sounds like you are having a two part DS -- if so, you will be VERY happy with the results of the DS, I promise you! I would NOT have had WLS at all if I had only the RNY or LapBand as options. Not having to deal with an RNY pouch was the only reason I could even contemplate WLS. I cannot even imagine how the RNY can be done in two parts, since the construction of the pouch REQUIRES the creation of the bypass to create the stoma. Now, as for the two parts -- my own DS surgeon (Robert Rabkin) does not do it in two parts, even with patients over 600 lbs. He feels very comfortable doing it quickly in one part, and he does it lap on almost every one -- although revisional procedures are more commonly the exception where he may have to go open to deal with the results of the previous procedure. He's all the way in California, but LOTS of people have traveled to have him as a surgeon. He and his brother John Rabkin can be found at paclap.com. Good luck!

I am not sure how much you weigh but my doctor says the 2 step process is generally for people with excessive weight and need to lose some weight before the 2nd step is done. He feels its safer for the patient. I am embarking on the 1st surgery (VG) alone and not doing the second. My dr feels I will do very well with just the 1st procedure. He said that he did not want me to have the 2nd stage and added complications if it did not seem warrranted. We left the door open to do the 2nd part in 1 yr if I was unhappy with the 1st procedure alone. My surgery is scheduled for 3/14.