Question:
Has anyone ever had a 'mini' open RNY, and how does it differ from an open?

Is a mini open more like a lap or open surgery and how does the recovery differ? My surgeon said the incision would be about 4 inches long. Originally I asked about the lap procedure because I really wanted to minimize the scarring, but he said he used this procedure instead. I didn't think much of it at that time, but in researching it further, I don't see anyone mentioning this type of procedure.    — angelav (posted on October 20, 2002)

October 20, 2002
Angela, I had the "mini" incision. As long as they are not referring ot the mini bypass- which is something totally differnt and not recomended by most wls surgeons any longer. The mini incision is just the same surgery done through a smaller incision. If your doc said he was doing a rny through a mini incision, you are having an rny. If he said he was doing a mini gastric bypass, that is somthing you may want to look into further. Good Luck in your quest!!
   — Vicki L.

October 20, 2002
My incision is 3-4 inches long, right under my bra. I have had those steri strips on since the day of my surgery which was the 7th of this month. I have layers of stiches that will dissolve, and nothing but the steri strips, which will eventually fall off. I actually thought I was having lap, but the week before I finally got it! I don't really know what you want to know about it, yes there was pain, but i'm over that now, and yes there is gonna be a scar there, but who cares? You can email me if you have any questions further down the road, I'm gonna be finding knew stuff out too! Good luck!!!!!
   — D S.

October 20, 2002
Your surgeon is referring to a hand-assisted laparoscopic RNY. Many surgeons (including mine but before I had my surgery) use this type of procedure while learning to go from doing open RNY to lap RNY. The incision is a bit larger but the result should be the same. You may want to ask how many procedures he has performed.
   — Debbie F.