Question:
I have not decided yet to have open or lap RNY

Would some of you that has had either surgery tell me about your experience. Which one is best? Thank you    — tatterpuddin (posted on October 6, 2001)

October 6, 2001
It's a very personal decision. My first choice was lap, but then I found a surgeon that I really liked, and who had an excellent reputation, and he only did open, so that's the procedure I went with. I'm 5 weeks out and have had a complication-free recovery so far (knock on wood!) I was out of the hospital in two days, had very little pain (with the help of some pain meds, of course) and after two days, my mother was on her way home, and I was able to do for myself. Yes, I do have a long red incision down my stomach, but it's a very clean line that I'm sure will fade in time. I think the most important thing is finding a surgeon that you're confident and comfortable with.
   — blank first name B.

October 6, 2001
I would go with LAP if you can find a experienced surgeon. Read my profile it includes complete info of my activities post op including walking 1.3 miles a week after surgery. Beyond how easy it was its a matter of hernias. Accirding to barb thompsons book about 33% of opens end up with hernias compared to near zero with LAP. My job includes lots of heavy lifting and I didnt want to need another surgery later for hernia repair.
   — bob-haller

October 7, 2001
I (and 3 other members of my family) have had laparascopic RNY surgery. We were fortunate to find one of the leading bariatric/laparascopic surgeons available, and I think that that is one of the keys to successful, complication-free lap surgery. Please remember that there are far more surgeons practicing WLS that only do "open" surgery Lap surgery requires intensive training, and many wonderfully skilled surgeons do not have the opportunity or the motivation to take time away from their busy practices in order to obtain the education and training involved with the specialty of laparascopic surgery. Just because your surgeon doesn't perform lap surgery, doesn't mean that he/she is not an exquisite surgeon. As badly as I wanted and needed WLS, I would have just as readily selected a surgeon who only performs "open" surgery, if I had not located the lap surgeon that I did. Lap surgery does offer the advantages of less post-op pain, more rapid mobility and return to normal function, shorter post-op recovery period, less chance of post-op infection and hernia formation. Do not allow yourself to be "led astray" by misinformation which states that lap surgery cannot be performed on patients weighing more than 300 lbs.; lap surgery takes longer than an open surgery; lap surgery is more risky than open, because the surgeon can't really see what he is doing. These statements are frequently seen on this site and others, and are completely false. In the hands of an experienced laparascopic/bariatric surgeon, patients who weigh up to 600 lbs. have been known to have completely successful lap surgeries; lap surgery shouldn't take any longer at all than a traditional open surgery (no one in our family had an operating time longer than 1 hour 10 minutes); lap surgeons can actually see the tiniest blood vessels and nerves much more clearly than "open" surgeons can see them with the naked eye. Experience, expertise, and availability are your key considerations. My advice is to find a surgeon with the first two qualifications, THEN ask if he performs lap surgery or not. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

October 7, 2001
I am going to be able to have LAP. (I only)need to loos 80-100# depending on who you talk to. I am very short. I think your doc. is the best qualified person you should talk with. posters are right, try to choose a LAP surgeon as oppose to a bariatric doc. They are more skilled. As to the return to work faster, someone in suport group told me their group are half LAP,half open, and some of the open's went back to work before the LAPs. so it just will depend onyour body.
   — [Anonymous]

October 7, 2001
Hi! If I were back making that decision, I would ask myself, these questions. What is your recovery time allowance, time off from work? Do you have small children that need to be picked up. Is the doctor doing your surgery proficient in LAP? His success rate in either? Do you want small scars or can you live with the large incision. What does your insurance company cover? How long do you want to be in the hospital? Can you live with going home with a drainage tube. With Open, your hospital stay more than likely will be longer. You may have a drainage tube going home with you. The scar will be much larger, and your recovery time may be slower then if you had LAP. I had Lap done on 7-30-01, went in on Monday, out on Wednesday, and out shopping three days later. I was able to return to my regular lifestyle within a week. I would personally choose LAP anyday. BUT... If I had been made to choose between Open or no surgery, Open it would have been. I wish you the best in your decision.
   — [Anonymous]

October 7, 2001
I regret not having lap, my parents did not want to drive me to another hospital, where 1 dr. did the lap, it was only 25 min more drive, i now have a large scar and I wear much sexier cloths now, but the scar is not too appealing, I taked to my plastic surgeon about scar removal, it will not totally go away. The results are the same on lap and open. But I did have a excellant surgeon which now does do the lap,, but i am glad I did not wait though, it has been 1 year in 2 weeks and i am down about 105 pounds or so, I am in a size 8/10, and soooo happy these days. Best wishes.
   — [Anonymous]