Open RNY vs. Laparoscopic RNY

Hi all -I am a Dayton resident and it looks like I'm getting very close to getting approved for my surgery. I have been planning on having the laparscopic RNY, but have had a couple of conversations w/ friends who are healthcare professionals and they indicated that there is a higher complication rate with the lap procedure. I had understood from my surgeon that the procedure had become more refined, thus being safer. I'd be very interested and grateful to hear from members who are post-op laparscopic RNY. Was it a good experience, who was your surgeon, etc. Thanks! Karen

I had lap rny and I heard it is much safer and easier to recover/ My esperience was great and with Dr Cury who is great and cute and very sweet. He is always there when you need him and I reccomend him so highly. He is worth the drive believe me. Good luck and if you can have the lap go for it. Cindy

It's interesting that you say that Karen. From all of my research, I've found that the open is more prone to complications. More risk of infection, longer healing time and worse scarring. My original surgery was schedule to take place at Barix Clinics, but they would only do the surgery open. I transfered to Dr. Mikami at OSU. Dr. Mikami did my RNY lapriscopically and much easier than I had ever anticipated. For me, it was physically a breeze. I was on a morphine drip for 2 days post op. When I went home, I was controlling my pain with Tylenol. I just felt like I had strained a stomach muscle. My scarring is very minimal Best of luck with whatever you decide. If you decide to do a lap, then I highly recommend OSU and their facilities. They were above wonderful. Eric

Lap is the way to go. The higher complication rate is applies to poorly trained surgeons with minimal experience. To be on the safe side, pick a surgeon who has done at least 100 lap RNY's. And don't listen to the surgeons who only do the open procedure, obviously they will say lap is evil. Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 (513) 559-2100

As Dr. Curry stated early experience with the Lap RNY with surgeons performing less than a 100 procedures showed that complication rates are higher. Once past this learning curve all of the dreaded complications such as leak or death actually become equal. Wound related complications are much higher in open surgery vs. lap. The benefits of larparoscopic surgery by experienced surgeons include decreased recovery time, less pain, and of course, much less wound problems. Very good question. Sincerely, Dr. Selwyn Assistant Professor of Surgery UC Center for Surgical Weight Loss.