Question:
Heard about doctor in Texas who is doing the RNY laparoscopically.....

BUT, he finishes the surgery with a 4 or 5 inch incision in the stomach area. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this something a prospective patient should be concerned with as far as an indication of his lack of experience with the lap RNY procedure? I have researched endlessly about a lot of different doctors, this is one of the surgeons who gets a lot of praise from his patients and I have heard he has had no patient die. He does 1 or 2 per week, even though he is in a small town. I want to know if I should bother trying to use this doctor or go with a surgeon who does the laparoscopic surgery with only the incisions for the trocars? I really don't want that open incision if I can help it.    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 11, 2001)

July 11, 2001
Take a look at Dr. Wongsa. His infomation is posted on this site.
   — Wendy M.

July 11, 2001
I had lap rny 3 months ago. My largest scar an inch and a quarter long. I have two scars that are 3/4 of an inch long and two scars that are 1/4 inch long. A 4 or 5 inch incision does not sound like a laparascopic procedure.
   — [Anonymous]

July 11, 2001
What is the name of the Doctor you found and where is he located?
   — [Anonymous]

July 11, 2001
I don't get it???? Why would you do lapro if you cut the person open anyways? I thought the whole purpose of lapro was to have a less invasive(sp?) surgery.I had a R-N-Y distal lapro and I only had 4 small inscisionsd about 1/4" long. Two and a half years later and only one is even visable. Sounds kinda weird to me.
   — paintnmynails

July 11, 2001
Although I can't comment on the physician you're talking about, my surgeon (and many others) do a "lap assisted" procedure which results in about a 2" - 3" scar at the naval area. My surgical team includes the Chief of Laprascopic Surgery for the hospital, so this particular method does not particularly indicate a lack of skill or experience. It's just another way to do the surgery. If you're concerned, ask the surgeon why they do a lap assisted. I believe the primary reason in my surgeon's case is that they measure the entire length of the intestine, which requires them to use a longer incision to avoid damaging the bowels as they move them around to measure. - Kate -
   — kateseidel

July 12, 2001
I think you are talking about Dr Dirk Rodriquez in Palestine. He did my RNY using this method -- I am very happy with him and with the proceedure. His patients have a support group that meets monthly, as well as a Yahoo egroup -- TylerWLS. Dr Rod comes to the meetings as often as possible, and is also active on the egroup. I usually just lurk here, but I registered just so I could post this comment!
   — ida I.

July 12, 2001
This certainly makes things clear. I wasn't aware of "lap assisted" surgeries, just thought there was lap or open.
   — [Anonymous]