open vs. lap. RNY

I've met with four surgeons in my area, and the one that I'm planning surgery with recommends an open RNY procedure. Over 60% of his patients are revisions referred from other surgeons, and he primarily deals with super moridly obese and geriatric patients. (I am relatively low risk by comparison, BMI 43, under 30, and with no major health problems.)

He also prefers to perform a more distal RNY (I believe it is not a true distal RNY, simply more length than a standard proximal procedure). He's extremely experienced and says that he simply sees fewer complications and better long term results with his approach. He's accredited, well-respected, etc. with a very thorough education and support program. So, bottomline, I really trust this guy, and I'm very comfortable with my choice of dr, and I'm not debating the pros or cons of his approach.

But I'm curious: how many people here had an open vs. laprascopic RNY? It seems like most common now is the laprascopic procedure, since the recovery time is shorter.

Did anyone else have a surgeon recommend an open procedure? Did anyone have complications related to having one over the other? Similarly, since the calorie malabsorption wanes over time, does more distal RNY simply predispose you to more nutritional deficiency?
 
Thanks! 

I had open RNY.  I could have gone to a different surgeon and had it done lap, but I really liked and trusted the surgeon I used, and I knew it would be open from the day I talked to her after the informational seminar.  I ended up with an incisional hernia, and repairing the hernia with mesh caused problems down the road,but that is not at all common.  Your trust in your surgeon, and his/her experience and ability are, IMO, much more important than lap versus open.  Once the open incision heals, it's all the same, anyway.

Lora

Wow my surgeon is a seasoned lap. surgeon so I knew unless there was an issue that I would not have open. This is my second WLS so he was able to go through the same small scars from my band surgery. I didn't have any issues then and so far so good. Like you I have a lower BMI and I'm happy not to have a big scar. I say if your happy and trust him and don't mind it open than that's great.

Is the open procedure a huge scar? Where is it? I guess I should find that out, too.

I guess I figured it didn't matter too much, since I already have a c-section scar and 6-inch scar perpendicular to my belly button from another procedure. Maybe I'll just get some cool tummy tattoos when it's all over......

LOL Great attitude!! Love the tattoo idea lol.  not that I'll be wearing a bikini so I suppose it doesn't matter anyway.

 hey you never know! i decided i'm gonna get a retro style bikini this summer (even if i only wear it in my parent's backyard!) lots of girls wear smaller bikinis bigger than a size 14 so i'm gonna go for it! and the retro style is much higher cut so it will hold in the extra skin and only show maybe 10" of stomach anyway. so what if i have some scars?

Although some surgeons make them somewhat smaller, an open incision is along the midline fro m just under the breastbone to just above the waist.  Even though I had open RNY, an open hernia repair, and a midline incision for my tummy tuck, my scar is just a thin white line ****il you get to the spot where my tummy tuck incision turned necrotic...)

Personally, I don't mind it at all.  It is more symmetrical than random inch long incisions scattered all over the place, LOL.

Lora

I had an open RNY.  My scar is about 1 1/2" long.  It's right in the middle of my stomach, but it's pretty much invisible, now - just a thin flesh colored bump.

I have no idea how my surgeon did the surgery through one very small incision -- but I'm cool with it.

The first surgeon I saw only did open too, so I chose another. I was a healthy (ish) 40 BMI and my surgery took just over an hour - no need for open at all and I have a very unremarkable healing afterwards - no complications whatsoever!!!

I still wear a bikini, even though I'll be 50 this year, so a large open scar would have made a difference to me ...

I had lap RNY but had a c-section many years ago. It was a vertical incision. So I already had a scar from above my belly button all the way down.

My recovery was quicker with the lap than it was from the c-section. But I also know more of what to expect by then.

When I had my panniculectomy last october the surgeon took my belly button, both my c-section scars and lots and lots of stretch marks.

Either way the most important thing is that you feel safe with your surgeon and trust him/her. You will do great no matter which type of surgery you have.