Question:
Does anyone belive in omens.....
I have been 100% sure that I want to have this surgery. Until yesterday when I started to have doubts. I am having open rny surgery in July. After reading so many personal pages of post ops the people who have had the surgery done LAP seem to bounce back quickly. There is a surgeon moving to my area that does the surgery LAP. I called him two months ago and the office never returned my call. I decided to go with another doctor. Today the other doctor's office called to set up a consultation. Is this a sign?????? I am very comfortable with my current surgeon however I really do not know if I still want to do the Open surgery. Please all of the Open post ops is it really that bad!!!! Lap post ops is it really that easy!!!!! — [Anonymous] (posted on May 22, 2001)
May 22, 2001
To be honest, I really believe it's the individual and how they recover. I
believe that everything that takes place with a person is at least 70%
mental if not more. I had the Open rny and I had bounced back quicker than
3 of my girlfriends who had Lap. Although it is the same surgery, it's just
that they open you all the way up with the Open. Which I preferred because
if anything else was wrong, they could fix it..Which is exactly what
happened with me. I had three hernia's and a ruptured appendix. If I had it
lap...they wouldn't of been able to see that. After my Open Rny surgery,
the second week, I was on a plane to seattle, I was at church, i was
getting my hair done..and I was shopping. But this is because , before my
surgery, I had no doubt in my mind that God had already healed me. I had
got over the hard part, it was up to me to HEAL and up to me to do my part.
Not just be lazy and sit around and do nothing. I made sure I had my
"MENTAL STATE " together before and after surgery. It all depends
on you honey. If you have made up in y ou rmind that your life will change
after surgery, you will do find no matter what type or kind of surgery you
decide to go with. God knows what surgery is best FOR YOU. The OPEN WAS
OBVIOUSLY BEST FOR ME. Now my three girlfriends, they are doing fine
now...but i have noticed..it's not about the type of surgery..It's about
you. I am now 7 1/2 months post op..I have lost 85lbs ...and only have 33
more to go. Things have been grand for me. Hope all is well with you
also..Keep us posted
— Angela A.
May 22, 2001
I personally want the lap.. just because its less time off and quicker
healing, less chance of hearnia... but hey it comes with its own set of
risks. I've balanced them out and chose my path. If you are comfortable
w/ your surgeon and are comfortable w/ the choice you have with them heck
stick it out. Or see if you can get in w/ the other surgeon and get a
consult and see what you think. Good luck.
— Dawn R.
May 22, 2001
This is your choice. I will tell you that I have had a lap appendectomy
and an open spleenectomy and I much prefer the open vis-a-vis side effects.
When you have a lap, they pump your abdomen full of gas so that they can
see what they're doing. It takes forever for the gas to escape, it's
really uncomfortable, and it made me sick! But as for RNY, I met with a
Lap surgeon and an Open surgeon and found that the Lap guy's complication
rate was higher than I wanted. My current surgeon does open. I asked him
if he's considered switching to lap, but he says that as long as the
complication rate is higher than 5% (it's currently about 15-20%), he won't
consider it. Also, he says some people overestimate the benefits of a lap
surgery. The same thing is being done to you on the inside as with an open
procedure. The difference is incision pain and healing time. I, for one,
have chosen to take a bit more time healing in exchange for a lower risk of
complications. Ultimately, it's a choice between you and your doctor.
Maybe you should have a consultation with this new doctor just to hear what
he has to say and then decide. Good luck!
— PT LawMom
May 22, 2001
I'm not so sure it's an omen, but I'll be more than happy to tell you about
my experience with Open RNY. First, let me tell you that after having
lived with a surgical assistant for 15 years, I have enough knowledge of
surgical procedures and complications to be considered dangerous. All I
can relate to is many, many dinner conversations about lap procedures
having to be opened due to complications, anyway. As it were, I chose the
doctor, not the procedure and had open because that's what he did. My
reasoning was I wanted a skilled doctor with great references and healthy
patients - much more important to me than trading my 10-inch scar for a few
band-aid scars. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT LAP ISN'T A GREAT OPTION! It just
wasn't open to me, and with my second-hand knowledge of surgery, I was
comfortable with going through open. Please don't look at this as a
debate, as that isn't my intent. I've had a c-section and an appendectomy
prior (and a lap tubal ligation), so I really had an almost blase attitude
about WLS. I was never fearful - even fell asleep waiting to be taken to
the OR - and didn't doubt for a moment I would come through without
complications, and a bit of discomfort. I learned through my prior
abdominal surgeries how to move, sit and lay in bed, so nothing came as a
suprise to me. I was in some pain for a few days, but nothing unmanageable
and was able to bowl with an 11-pound ball and pull a small tree from my
yard at 5 weeks. Because I'm a side sleeper, it took about 10 days for me
sleep comfortably, and I did have a stiff back from sleeping on my back.
By the time I was 6-8 weeks I hadn't felt like I had surgery at all, and
since my skin heals well (the doc couldn't find my appy scar), my scar
continues to become finer every month. I'm just a happy open
patient...Good Luck to you!
— Allie B.
May 22, 2001
YES! Definately seek out ALL options before making ANY move so you can
prevent risks and regrets later on! You have doubts and that is your
indication to seek out what the other doctors can do for you that would
ensure the best procedure for you! There could be numerous reasons why the
office delayed your call, especially since they have just moved in the area
too. Be patient..which I know can be difficult...but in the long run..the
more informed you are..the better off you will be! Take your time and
again, seek out all the possiablities that is right for YOU! Good Luck! :0)
— [Anonymous]
May 22, 2001
It certainly doesn't hurt to explore all the options. I was comfortable
with the first surgeon I went to see and he only does open rny. I was also
VERY comfortable with the hospital he operated out of - the other surgeons
in town operate at a hospital that I just wouldn't have felt comfortable
with. I had my gallbladder out lap 9 years ago and can tell you that I
would have been better off if I had it done open instead. Five days after
surgery I was hit with the worst pain in my entire life and had to call
911. There was a stone in the duct that the doctor couldn't see with the
laproscope and it wasn't clearly visualized on the x-ray that they do. If
the surgery had been open the doctor would have been able to feel that
stone with his hands and I would never have had this complication! My open
rny was 9 months ago and to be honest with you, I almost can't remember how
bad it was. I know that there were times that I felt pretty bad, but I
don't know how much of that was from the incision and how much was from the
reworking of my insides. It all boils down to feeling bad for a little
while and feeling great for the rest of your life. Would I do it again? YOU
BET!!!
— georgiacarol
May 22, 2001
I've had an open C-section (obviously!) and a lap hysterectomy. I had
complications with one surgery... guess which? The LAP! I got a post op
infection and had to be re-hospitalized after the hysterectomy. I am going
to have open RNY because I feel the surgeon can get a good look. Scars
don't bother me. My days of running for Miss America are over anyway.
Investigate all options and go with the surgeon and the info that speaks to
you... Good luck and best wishes.... Nancy
— Nancy G.
May 22, 2001
I had an open BPD/DS on 4/11. I was off all pain meds by day 2. I did feel
the gas build up and felt the stretching of the incision but it was
okay-just walk. I was sleeping on my side by day 4 in the hospital and even
home. My scar is only 6" and I had no stitches. Just steri-strips. I
didn't go into my waterbed when I got home until 2 weeks so I slept in my
dtrs bed. When I got in the waterbed at 2 weeks I was sleeping on my
stomach. I was very glad with the open. I had lap surgery for acid reflux
in Aug. 2000 and had a much more difficult time healing. Even my sister
commented in the hospital how much easier I was moving around than my last
surgery. Best wishes
— Linda M.
May 22, 2001
There are many many surgeries that are successfull either by lap, or open.
In my research I have found that each surgery carries their own set of
complications. When it came down to me making a decision, I went for open,
because I had a BMI of 68, and I definitely wanted the surgeon to open me
wide up and be able to see what he was doing with the naked eye. I think it
is up to each individual, and what their preferences are. I would highly
recommend checking out both surgeons and seeing what their success rate is,
and see if you can meet some of the post ops from both. Good luck with your
decision.
— Kim B.
May 22, 2001
I had open 4 of my friends and 2 relatives had Lap and there is
no question that Lap is easier then open
on the same day I had open my sister and friend had Lap same Doctor
same hospital ...same floor..lol
they were running circles around me ..
their healing time was 1/2 of what mine was
their pain was 1/2 of what mine was
I had to have open because of previous abdominal surgeries
If there is any way for you to have a Lap with a Doctor who has
performed 100's
go for it
— Kathleen M.
May 22, 2001
Yes, I believe in omens... I called my surgeon on a Wednesday & got a
consultation for the following Saturday. I was approved over the phone and
insurance paid for everything minus the $10 copay. A year later, insurance
is paying 100% for reconstructive surgery. It was meant to be...
I had Open DS and had no pain. They cut inbetween the muscles so there
isn't pain. I'm not saying it didn't suck my energy for a good 5-6 weeks,
because it did... but pain, no... I would do it again in a NY minute!!
— [Deactivated Member]
May 23, 2001
I had open RNY on 1/8/01. My recovery was quite fast. I was in the hospital
for 3 days and taking care of my family on day 4. I did need help with
lifting of my baby, but for the most part I could do everything. I am a
visiting nurse(very part time) and was doing nursing visits at 1 week post.
I was really back to feeling like my old self at about 4 weeks post. This
surgery isn't that "popular" in my area and I did not really have
lap as an option. I did choose my surgeon and liked the idea that with an
open, he could see everything and felt comfortable with my choice. Now,
having said that, I am a little disappointed that I have this scar. I
guess, my weight loss has been quite significant(-90)and my skin is
bouncing back nicely.(except for my tummy, which I have a pooch from having
full-term twins!) I always thought that I wouldn't want to wear a bikini so
the scar wouldn't matter. But, lately I have come to regret having this
scar (just a little). Of course my scar is still relatively fresh and as it
fades, maybe I will be able to wear short tops, etc It's not that I WANT to
wear these types of clothes, I guess I just regret that this is no longer
an option. However, I wouldn't trade my 90 pounds and the way I feel for a
scar-free tummy. This last 4 months have been wonderful and I can say
without a doubt that I would do it again!!
— Shelley.
May 23, 2001
I had open RNY on 5/15/01. And in 1999 had lap galbladder removal. and in
1999 I had a c-section. In my opinion i am glad i had open rny. The pain
i had from all of the gases they have to put inside of you to do a lap
procedure is much worse than the open pain. I was up and walking the night
of my surgery and was released a day early from the hospital. It all
depends on how well yoou handle pain. In my opinion the open rny was just
like my c-section just in a different spot and not as hard to get in and
out of chairs. LOL Maaybe you should meet with the second doctor and just
make your choice based on which one makes you most comfortable not because
of surgery type they do. Good Luck
— Robin C.
May 24, 2001
Here's my 2 cents worth: I think the Lap is infinitely superior to the
Open. Yes they pump you full of gas, but they also remove most/all of it
before closing. The surgeon does a complete examination of the abdomen
using his scope prior to starting the actual surgery. With their camera
they can see at a microscopic level if there are any problems. Post-op
infection and hernia occurence are greatly reduced.
My experience with Lap was - no pain - I mean no pain. It felt something
like doing too any situps. I took one shot in the Recovery Room because
I've always been warned to "stay ahead of the pain." Well I
hated the haze it put me in so I decided not to take anymore - and then I
realized I didn't hurt anyway! I remember commenting after about a week
that I couldn't believe how fine I felt.
People who have residual gas pain after surgery - and some do - walked to
relieve it.
Now - a caveat: ASK your doctor how long his surgeries take. Anesthetics
are very hard on the body and if a Lap surgeon takes hours and hours - my
opinion is that he/she is not very skilled. My doctor (Champion/Atlanta -
the best!) averages 60-90 minutes. I would have Open if I couldn't find a
skilled Lap surgeon. Of course assuming that the Open Surgeon was
skilled!
I traveled from Indiana to Georgia for my surgery and I would do it again.
E-mail me if you want more info.
— Kelly D.
June 4, 2001
I do beliven in omens - I have always had bad luck (personally) around (day
before during and after) Easter. So what do I do, I have surgery the day
after Easter and I have had more complications from this surgery I am ready
to pack it in... sorry...
— Surgery 2001
June 8, 2001
I think omens and dreams are God's way of quiding us in the right direction
or steering us away from the wrong path.
Always pay attention to these. I've had dreams, visions, intuitions all of
my life since early childhood. After I had finally accepted myself as
obese, I started seeing myself in dreams that way. Until recently ( about
a month ago), suddenly I've been seeing myself much, much thinner in
dreams. I've been researching this surgery for about 4 years folling the
surgical advancements and patient follow-ups and because of my dreams and
other little signs from above, I believe now is my time to do this.
— [Anonymous]
September 4, 2002
My husband was denied sugery 3 yrs ago.... then approx. a year ago, we went
to eat at his favorite chinese resturant, his fortune cookie told him
"you will be getting new clothes soon", and low and behold, he
got approved within the month.... YES I strongly believe in omens....
now I'm waiting on my fortune cookie...
— Amber D.
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