Question:
which has less complications?

I was wondering if there is less loss of blood with open or lap? Which one is better and the quickest healing time? thank you! Dawn    — dawn davis (posted on December 18, 2002)

December 18, 2002
I had open RNY and had no complications. I returned to work two weeks post-op and it was no problem at all. I was 55 and weighed 346 pounds when I had surgery. I told everyone at work I would be back in two weeks and no one thought I would be back that soon.
   — Patty_Butler

December 18, 2002
30% Of opens develop a incisional hernia, with LAP the risk is near zero. Hernias require a follow up surgery. Lap or open the actual surgery is the same, its just a matter of how our insides are accessed. Weight loss with either is the same. Most laps spend less time in the hoospiytal and report less pain since theres less trauma to the body from incisions.
   — bob-haller

December 18, 2002
Neither is "better." What you need to do is not focus on the surgery, but on your SURGEON. Which is he/she more adept at? The people who say lap takes longer obviously used a surgeon not so adept at lap. My surgeon only does lap -- and surgery lasted an hour and a half, which, as far as I can tell, is about what an open surgery takes. Check the library on this board -- there are a million questions about the differences between open and lap. I have minimal scarring...and although I was out of work for three weeks, I could have gone back at two. I cannot stress enough, go with whichever surgery your surgeon feels most comfortable with. Good luck. Lap RNY 10/21/02 259 (-37).
   — Tamara K.

December 19, 2002
I agree with the previous posters, your surgeon will make all the difference. I had an Open RNY and my pain was actually very minimal. I had discomfort, but was able to shower and walk within a day. I took three weeks off of work, but could have realistically gone back at two, but it was the end of summer, so I stayed home with the kids. You really need to talk with your Dr. and determine what is best for you. I did not have the option of lap because I had two prior C-sections, and scar tissue was a concern. Good luck on you journey.
   — Dana B.

December 19, 2002
Absolutely go with whichever procedure your surgeon is best at and which one he recommends for you. I was so delighted when my surgeon told me he could do it lap. He had done it open for the few other people on this site who had used him. Well, the bottom line is that he made a mistake in my lap surgery which was not discovered for 2 months. I then had to have a second surgery, open, to repair it. I had little, if any pain with either and I did not have significant blood loss with either. I was in the hospital and/or rehab for nearly 6 months, so would have been way better off if he had done open in the first place. Then he would not have put me back together 'wrong' and I would have been back at work in 3-4 weeks.
   — garw