Question:
I feel like I am alone in my decision to have OPEN RNY.
Is there anyone else out there who has recently had OPEN RNY or are scheduled to have it done? I decided to have OPEN because that's what the doctor in my city offers and I completely trust him. I'm just wondering if it will be worth it to stay in town. thanks. — Jennifer M. (posted on July 10, 2003)
July 10, 2003
I had Open RNY 2.5 mos ago and would do it again in a heartbeat. My
surgeon prefers that over Lap (which he also performs, at the patient's
request); he says it's a more exact surgery and less chance of
complications. HTH!
— Susan W.
July 10, 2003
I had my open RNY almost two years ago. After considering a LAP procedure,
I just though it would be better that the doctor could see and touch what
he was working on. I was concerned about recovery and the incision, but
looking back I see my open scar as my battle scar. For me it's all been
worth it!
— Pamela B.
July 10, 2003
I had OPEN 15 months ago BY CHOICE, every body has their own opinion about
this, but I was more comfortable with the OPEN approach and never had a
moments regret- my scar is shrinking and fading, but it helps remind me WHY
I did this- after awhile you begin to feel normal and can forget that you
had surgery-
— ~~Stacie~~
July 10, 2003
I just had open RNY on 6/27/03. The surgeon I chose only does open so there
was not a choice there unless I wanted to go to someone else. The choice of
surgeon was more important to me than whether it was open or lap.I am doing
great! Just saw the doc today, got my release to go back to work already,
just have to avoid heavy lifting. My incision is only about 2-1/2 inches
long. I am so glad to have had this surgery that I would not care if my
incision was 12 inches long though!
— DebT
July 10, 2003
I had open RNY 9 months and 105 pounds ago and wouldn't change it for
anything. i felt it had a lower rate of complications and as stated before,
I didn't want the Dr. looking thru a camera to operte on my intestines.
— **willow**
July 10, 2003
I 'choose' to have an open instead of a lap; because at the time, it took
longer to have a lap than an open and because I had recently lost my
husband, I didnt want my daughter to have to 'wait' any longer than she had
to for me to be in surgery - since open was far shorter I took that route.
In having the open, my surgeon saw I had a large ovarian cyst which I didnt
know I had and 'fixed' that while he was in there; something he wouldnt
have done if he was doing lap. I also requested my gallbadder taken out;
which he wouldnt have done lap. So having the open was 'worth' it to me.
And depending on your future; depending on how much skin needs removed -
you would be cut down the middle for an abdominaly plasty anyways. also
scars fade - I was over 40 and didnt plan to do a bikini anways so who
cares about a scar.
Lastly; JUST because someone 'plans' to have an open doesnt mean you end up
that way. You could go to a surgeon that just does laps - and because of
'what ever' they have to turn it into a open. If you are happy with your
current surgeon... just stay with him.
— star .
July 10, 2003
I had my open RNY Nov. 20, 2002. I have lost 115 lbs so far and it is
great. I traveled 500+ miles (from Harrisburg, PA to Yipsilani, MI) to
have the surgery and in my opinion the open was best because the surgeon
could measure my intestines with a tape measure and know exactly how much
was being bypassed. Plus, I was only under anesthesia for 90 minutes. I
would do it again in a heartbeat.
— klinzey
July 10, 2003
I was set up to have the LAP RnY, I thought the recovery time would be
shorter and the pain not as much. My Dr. whom does both told me that I
could change my mind up to the last min. before surgery. At my last appt
with him before surgery I asked him what HE prefered to do, he said the
OPEN, we discussed the reasons. The day of surgery I went for the OPEN
RnY!! I'm so glad I did!! Good luck!
— luckyflowers
July 10, 2003
I had open in January 2003. I was wanted to have LAP but switched surgeons
and location because it was closer to home. My surgeon does not do LAP.
He feels open is better because he can see everything he is doing. He also
feels there is less chance of complications. Just his feelings and
thoughts, but I am glad I had open. I was off work for 4 weeks. Don't
know as I would have went back any sooner with open. If you trust your
surgeon and you are ok with open, that's all that matters. Good luck.
Linda
— Linda B.
July 10, 2003
Hi Jennifer,
I had open, because the surgeon I chose is not fully trained in Lap for the
RNY. I went to him because he was close to home (20 min) and he is very
experienced and a genuine person. My surgery was picture perfect..would do
it again. Good luck
— Kriola
July 10, 2003
At first I was upset that my insurance would only approve open and not lap.
But then I got a gander at my medical records for the lap procedure I had
to remove my gallbladder. I never fully understand why my surgery took
longer than usual and why I ended up staying overnight when I was
originally told I could go home early. I had a very fatty liver which made
finding my gallbladder very difficult. I was under anesthesia for a very
long time and took much longer to come around in recovery. And that's with
a surgeon who was very experienced with laparoscopic surgery. Now I'm glad
I'll have the surgery open. I'm doing everything I can to make sure my
liver is healthier by my surgery date, but I know with the open procedure
my surgeon will be able to find his way around easier and I'll be out of
surgery quicker. I am happy to trade a couple more weeks of recovery for a
shorter stay under anesthesia. Anesthesia is a little scary, especially
the heavier and the older you are. I'll have a nice 4-5 week vacation at
home recuperating and that suits me just fine. I'm so glad I saw those
medical records.
— antiques55
July 10, 2003
Jennifer,
I WANTED to have open RNY. Somehow it seems to me that the surgeon being
able to actually see and feel what's buried in all that fat is a plus. And
that's exactly the way my surgeon feels about it too. He does lots of
other surgeries lap but wil not do RNY that way. And, he has a mortality
rate of less than 1 in a 1000; the national average (and that of Al Roker's
doctor) is 1 in 200. He must be doing something right. I had my Open RNY
19 months ago and haven't regretted it one bit. I was off work two weeks
and went back 8 hours a day with no problems. I don't think the recovery
is any harder than with lap and I knew I would have to have a tt anyway so
why worry about the scar. My incisons are my victory flags. I wear them
proudly. (I say incisions because I've had my tt, so I have a midline scar
and a lower one from hip bone to hip bone. But I can wear, tight, short
shirts and don't have to worry about a big belly hanging out.
— Patty_Butler
July 10, 2003
The main downside to open is a large risk of incisional hernias, that often
require yet another surgery to repair. You should know this before you have
surgery.
— Sam J.
July 10, 2003
I had Lap RNY almost 5 months ago, and I am very happy. BUT, I had it
because that's the way my surgeon does it and I trusted him. That trust
should guide your decision. If he would have told me that the safest way
to do the surgery was with an incision from my neck to my navel and to do
it in the middle of traffic on the Long Island Expressway I would have done
that, too. There are pros and cons of both ways, but the inside work is
the same as is the end result long term. Have faith in you choice of
surgeon and you'll be fine!!
— Fixnmyself
July 10, 2003
I was 54 when I decided to have the RNY and it was open...I'd rather have
that so they can see everything. Even at that age, my dear little mom was
PO'd at me big time, my daughter told me I was just taking the "easy
way out," one of my close friends highly suggested that I try to lose
weight just one more time for 6 months. I didn't care if they all stayed
angry & never spoke to me the rest of my life--I was going to have that
operation. I am doing fine and have lost 120 lbs. Yes, I do have an
incisional hernia, but I'm also chosing to (hopefully) have a TT (self-pay
for that portion) at the same time...and I can hardly wait for that
too...and I'm sur they'll all be PO'd again! LOL
— Betty Todd
July 10, 2003
I'd suggest going with a local surgeon if you trust him. I love my
surgeon, but I wish he were closer than four hours away. It's now time for
my 1 year visit and I'm hard pressed to make the call to schedule. It's
hot and I don't want to make the loooong drive. I also remember worrying
about what if's with him so far away. Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
July 11, 2003
I would guess it would be worth it to stay in town. I'd vastly prefer to
stay local with any surgery as I've had many out of state, and cross
country surgeries. My out of area surgeries came with lots of problems as
no one wants to touch you when you need help. They want to send you back.
Anyway, I had open rny as I've had other abdomial surgeries and he would
only do it open. But I'm glad. He could get at things better with an open
I'm sure. Personally I feel it's safer but everyone has a different
opinion. Thankfully I never had any hernias, but when they said don't lift
anything such and such a weight for such and such a time, I DID'NT! I
learned from another surgery where I hemeraged after carring a milk jug
around the store! So no problems this time as I did as I was told.lol
— Danmark
July 11, 2003
I CHOSE to have my surgery open. The recovery time to me whasnt a big
concern, I had a huge amount of support and the time off either way. Not a
concern. I wanted open because I wanted hands on surgery. Easier to see
whats going on. I had MANY conversations about this with my surgeon. So
many people have LAP surgery because they dont want a visible scar---I have
to laugh at this ALOT. Anyone here that is post op any length of time
knows that scar or not...your tummy is not the prettiest place on your body
anymore <wink>. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know that you are not
alone with your decision. Many of us here chose to do it that way, not
just because that was the only option available to them. Good luck with
your surgery.
— RebeccaP
July 11, 2003
I had an open RNY 12 weeks ago. I originally thought I wanted the lap
procedure, but the surgeon I chose (Dr. Tanaka at Pacific Bariatric in San
Diego) said I wasn't a good candidate for lap because of my size (close to
400 lbs.) I was disappointed at first, but after a little more research, I
decided that while the open would be a little more painful and leave a
bigger scar, it had the advantage of being a shorter procedure that was
easier for the surgeon and less likely to have complications. I went
through it with little trepidation, zero complications, and I have NO
regrets! I wear my scar proudly and show to anyone who wants to see it
(and probably a few who don't!). I also agree with other posters that
having your surgery close to home is much more convenient, and all your
friends and family can come to the hospital to visit bearing flowers and
gifts. Good luck to you, and whatever decision you make, let it be right
for YOU.
— Maggie T.
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