Open or Lap RNY - Advice?

Hi Everyone - well now's the time that I have to decide. I have finished all of the requirements for WLS for Albany Medical and now I need to make my final decision of Open with Dr Rosati or Lap with Dr. Singh. I know both are excellent surgeons - just looking for some imput. Thanks - looking to take the plunge in early December. Merry Christmas to me! Peggy

Hi PEGGY, I am scheduled to have my surgery next Monday 11/6 - From everything I have read - Lap recovery is much easier and of course a few tiny incisions instead of a bigger one. Whatever you decide .... I wish you - the best! Britt

I would go LAP if given the choice. Lap has much less chance of infection and recovery time is much less. I was back to work in 1 week. Pat

For me it was a no-brainer: LAP. Recovery is faster and easier, less scaring, less chance of infection. Good luck! -Karen

I did Lap and was up in a few days with very little pain. I had no problems. Unless there is a darn good medical reason to do open. Go with a lap. Getting cut open should be a last resort don't put your self thru all of that pain and the longer recovery.

OK, I'll play the devil's advocate. I had open RNY with Dr Rosati. Although I did not have any medical reason to do so, I feel that a surgery of this precision requires that the doc really see and have a hands on approach to what is going on in there. I know lots of people who have had Lap RNY with Dr Singh and have been very pleased, but I felt more comfortable with open. Dr Rosati is a dream and a very skilled surgeon. I have a scar on my belly that's about 5 inches long and it is lightening up and looks great. I'm sure that once it's fully healed it will be barely visible. The recovery pain was minimal. I stopped taking narcotic meds a few days after arriving home and took tylenol occasionally for about a week after that. Either way you go, good luck to you! Maybe we'll get a chance to meet at the AMC support group meeting some time in the future! Hugs, Amy

Peggy, I had the lap and would do that again for sure. I do know that there is more gas pains with the lap then the open but that is ok in my eyes since the recovery time is so much shorter with the lap. Keep us posted hun and I wish you all the best! Debra P

Peggy: Hi! I posted yesterday but appears my post didn't come thru? I will try again! Open/Lap is a very personal decision. it is the same surgery inside, just how they get there. Now you are in excellent hands with either surgeon at AMC!!! *Disclaimer I am biased!* Both Dr. Rosati (only does open) and Dr. Singh (Prefers Lap but does open as well) are very experienced, compassionate and excellent surgeons. I recommend a consultation with both to help you make the most educated and informed decision possible! Sometimes it is picking the surgeon YOU are most comfortable with. Things to consider (*I chose Lap w/ Dr. Singh but many of my close friends had Dr. Rosati and swear by him as well!) some of these things...(they are generalities and individual experiences may vary) Many chose open because they want the surgeon to be able to use his hands and visualize the surgery, less risk of a leak (which if undetected can be deadly!)...The Lap approach has not been around as long (started in 1990's) RNY has been around since 1966 (Dr. Mason), not quite same as done today.... Many chose Lap as the research states: USUALLY quicker healing (5 small incisions vs one larger one), usually less pain (although pain is individual), Usually shorter hospital stay by a day or so), less risk of hernia (risk w/ open is sometimes reported in literature as high as 20% +++, with lap it reaches ALMOST ZERO!), risk of wound infection is greater w/ open (requiring much longer healing and long wound care), risk of wound dehiscence (wound opening) is greater w/ open and requires the wound to be packed and heal from inside out...Length of recovery/back to work is usually shorter w/ lap as well. Vanity is an issue for some a scar up to 12'' *I hear Dr. Rosati makes a scar very small and only as large as needed!* is not desireable others like the 5 small 1/2-1'' scars, but again even chosing lap may get u an open if they need to open to proceed due to complications there is no guarentee u get lap! One issue w/ Lap is the higher incidence of anastomatic leaks, although this is higher in surgeons w/ less experience, and Dr. Singh does test for a leak after surgery w/ upper GI endoscopy w/ Gastrograffin..Opn reports higher risk of adhesions w/ lap having less.. Again each is a generality, individual experiences vary. See both surgeons it may come downt who you feel more confident with.... Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Thanks for all the imput everyone. You are all so great! I initially started with Dr. Rosati leaning towards the Open because I thought my insurance didn't cover the Lap with Singh. I have since learned it will cover either. You are all correct - I need to be at peace with the surgeon and which procedure should be secondary. I'm looking for a date in the near future and I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again for all of your kind words and support! Peggy

Hi Peggy! All I can say is I had open...but wish I had LAP!