Question:
Can anyone tell me about their experiences with the open RNY procedure?

I would much prefer the Lap method but I'm not sure my insurance will cover it if approved for the surgery. Can anyone tell me if there were any complications? Problems healing? Scarring?    — lasmanstandin4u (posted on June 23, 1999)

June 22, 1999
I had open RNY on May 26th, 1999. Normally I have never had any problem having an I.V started but they stuck me about 5 times to get one going in Pre- op. Then it was off to surgery. I woke up about four hours later (I had a distal bypass that takes a little longer) and was then in the recovery area another four hours. Then it was off to a private room- I requested one so my wonderful hubby could sleep in the room too. Other than my PAC pain pump NOT working everything was great. The next day they got the pump working and the following day they removed it and started me on liquid pain medicine. The morning after surgery I called my nurse and asked if I could walk around. To my doctors surprise I met him in the hall while he was doing rounds. He laughed and said apparently I was doing great- usually the nurses have to make you get up! I walked at least four times aday. Increasing the distance everyday. This is very important for a quick successful recovery! It helps prevent blood clots from forming and gets things working again. I also sarted sipping water and jello and broth the next day. My doctor said I was a model patient and let me go home a day early. ( I totally contribute this to all the prayers and the Lord for taking such great care of me) Although I was very sore for the first week, I would definetly do it all again! I had my wonderful husband home for the first week to help me and I strongly suggest you have someone there also! Good Luck!
   — Lynn D.

June 23, 1999
I did not have any complications or problems healing after my open RNY. I do have a scar, about 1 1/2 inches long from below my breast bone to just above my belly button. It is fading nicely though. Having the scar does not bother me at all.
   — dboat

June 24, 1999
The laparoscopic RNY is appealing, but as reported at the last ASBS meeting in SanDiego,there are still some troubling problems. There is a substantially increase "leak" rate as reported by the most experienced labaroscopic surgeons. Current technology does not permit laparoscopic surgeons to perform the identical, and time-tested procedure which is done with the open method. The time of the procedure is two to four times as long while the length of hospitalizations is not much different (2-3 days with laparoscopy and 3-4 days with the open method. Although we are exploring the possibility of doing laparoscopic RNY at the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery, we are not ready to commit ourselves until we become convinced that the surgery can be done as safely and as well as is can be with the open method
   — Helmut S.

June 24, 1999
I was present at the ASBS meeting, presented data on lap bariatric surgery and took part in the panel discussion.Over 1000 cases were presented with no increased leak rate for the lap procedures. There was a dramatic decrease in the incisional hernia incidence after the lap bariatric surgeries ( 30% open vs < 1% lap )
   — J.K. C.

June 30, 1999
I had an open RNY on 6/15/99. The day that I went in for surgery, there were two other women schedualed ahead of me. We had all gotten to know one another because we were all staying at the same hotel. Of the three, I was the only one who was having an open (the others both had Laproscopic procedures). I was the only one who did not have a leak and also I was the only one of the three that got out of the hospital on time. You have to make up your own mind but as for me, I am happy I had the open. I have lost 27 lbs so far!! Good Luck!
   — LeShane M.

July 28, 1999
I had the open RNY on March 22nd of this year (1999). Personally I think that they do entirely too much to your stomach and intestines to depend on a little camera to be their eyes. I had zero complications with the open RNY, and recovered nicely, as well as lost 74 lbs so far! I say the choice is yours, but if you are worried about vanity, I would rather have a scar from my Ribs to my belly button than to be fat!
   — Lori D.