Curios... Any one had the open surgery?

Since my insurance is only through the VA Hospital and I have to drive 250 miles to see my surgeon who only does "open surgery" just curious who has had to undergo the big 6" slit.   I did some checking and he has an excellent reputation in Dallas, Texas and also is part of the University system.  On the other hand, I'm very lucky as I've been trying to get something done for about 4 or 5 years.  Very few patients get accepted to have R-NY done in the VA system.   I finally almost made it to the bench and now I find out that my partner has an attitude...   He said that he preferred the open, as he could be more aware of what was going on in and around the surgery itself.   Sounded good at the time.   Maybe, today is just a day of "fear".  Nevertheless, I'm bound and determined to see it through.   Maybe, I should go over to the women's forum and ask who has had to have a baby by ****rian, seems to me it would be about the same.  Mike

Mike, I’m a bad example to reference due to my personal experience, BUT- having read these Boards since ’02? Here’s my take on it…. Go with what your particular Dr. does the best. If your doc has done 500+ Open, and only 25 Laproscopically? Ask for the Open. It is “medical practice” after all, just let ‘em get in the ‘practice’ On someone else. Yes? There are Pros and Cons for each way of doing an RNY. Whatever your doc has had the most success with is the way I’d want to go. As for recovery times and how it feels and such? I have NO personal experience to share. Some one here will though I bet. Best Wishes- Dx

 

Dx E, you make alot of sense... I appreciate the words.   And, I feel better about it looking at it through your thoughts.  That really makes alot of sense. MIke

Mike: Anytime that you can have a surgery done laparoscopically it would be preferred because studies have proven the recovery time is less, the incident rate of infection is much lower and the risk or hernia is substantially lower. I am very much pro-laparoscopic but I've talked with countless of open patients that haven't had issues.  If it meant dealing with co-morbidities for additional years while trying to get approval to have it done laparoscopically I'd have it done open. I completely agree with the previous comment about having the procedure done with the method that your surgeon is most familiar with. Good luck!

I also had open RNY, which I wanted because my surgeon prefered open to lap because he  1) takes the gallbadder during the surgery 2) takes a liver bioposy 3) does three tests to check for leaks in the pouch and intestianlincisions of the procedure (to eliminate the number 1 cause of compllications before he closes you up).   That was all a good idea in my book, so that is what I had,...and my insurance required my gall bladder be removed at the same time (Aetna). I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Yes I have a friend at work that had lap RNY and was back in 2 weeks but I am very hapy and everything went really well.  I was recovering at teh same rate as the lap RNY paiteints and went home in 3 dyas, in Tuesday morning for surgery, left Friday a.m. for home.  Started walking after surgery the night of surgery.  The first BM was the most fun, that and trying to use  the can with the IV monitor and poll following you everywhere.

Now if someone could teach my how to type and spell.........

No typeing or spelling Nazi's on the Mens Board, thank goodness. pan head

Hope my doctor checks for "leaks".  Just curios, how do you have a bm without anything in your system?  They didn't give you a steak after surgery did they? ahhahah Thanks for your input. Mike

When you have surgery, your body has to use up 1-4 pounds of fat & muscle a day to help you recover and provide for your energy needs.  Your first couple BMs are all "you."  And so is more than 1/2 of the material for many weeks after, since you are only eating 400-800 calories a day; I'm pretty certain that if you weighed my BMs since my surgery, it'd be roughly equivalent to my cumulative weight loss (plus a little food, minus a little water weight).

Hey let me jump in here....

ARDBERG, is correct, that your body used 1-4 pounds of fat oand muscle a day to  fuel its self, but that is not eliminated through the bowels...It is eliminated through the kidneys..it;s not like you are pooping out your fat like that.....unless I  was stoned in one of my A&P courses...Depending on the type of prep that your doc wants, it is jus the lower bowel that is flused out...there is still plenty of residue lingering around, and the entire GI track, secreates mucus, which when mixed with enzymes, turns into stool........when the fat break dwon in your body, it liek gas in the car, burn it off, it is turned into energy....just like in your car, when the tank is empty, you don;t have to go empty a disposal bin....

I  know you fella will correct me if I am wrong.....Hey Mike, I am in houston....sorry they can not do you at the houston VA....you have some good support groups in your area....if you need any help gimme a shout

Russ