Question:
What is the difference in the Micropouch vs the Open RNY

Would like to know the difference between the Micropouch surgery and the Open RNY. If there is a difference which would be a better preference. If someone has experienced the Micropouch surgery, would like to know how your experiences turned out..    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 16, 2002)

January 16, 2002
My surgeon does not do micro pouch surgery lap. Because the pouch he makes is smaller than the instruments used for a lap. It is exactly the same as any other RNY, except the pouch is made with the upper-non elastic part of the stomach. Thus, no stretching, no reflux, no revisions. The small pouch works like a two stroke engine. Read all about it at www.micropouch.com The micropouch is 3cc's vs 33cc's the average RNY pouch size. surgery 8-13-01 90 lbs Gone!!!
   — Phiddy B.

January 16, 2002
The instrument used doesn't have anything to do with the size of the pouch. That doesn't make any sense. The technique, lap or open, does not determine pouch size, the surgeon does.
   — [Anonymous]

January 16, 2002
The instrument used to do lap is larger than a 3cc size micro pouch. So you can't use a post hole digger to sew with. What's so hard about understanding that? The very first question on the FAQ of the original micropouch surgery page is: Frequently Asked Questions Q. Can the MicropouchSM gastric bypass be performed by laparoscopic surgery? A. At this time, the answer is No. The instruments used for the laparoscopic gastric bypass produce a pouch much larger than our 1-2 cc pouch. Also, we don't know the long-term results of most gastric bypass operations that have been performed by laparoscopic surgery. You can visit that page to confirm the above: http://www.micropouch.com/faq.htm
   — Phiddy B.

January 16, 2002
Yep, I checked it out....and sure enough that's what it says. mmmmmmmmmmmmm http://www.micropouch.com/faq.htm Q. Can the MicropouchSM gastric bypass be performed by laparoscopic surgery? A. At this time, the answer is No. The instruments used for the laparoscopic gastric bypass produce a pouch much larger than our 1-2 cc pouch. Also, we don't know the long-term results of most gastric bypass operations that have been performed by laparoscopic surgery.
   — [Anonymous]

January 16, 2002
I checked out the web page mentioned and it appears that it is exactly like RNY with the pouch a little smaller. Appears that they have coined a cute term, kind of like Fobi, to make it sound so exclusive. (They do have rights to the term). I don't understand the lap thing either. The lap instruments used in my surgery are so very tiny, much smaller than a grape. It appears that they are not doing the lap because they are not comfortable with it, not trained in the cutting edge procedure, and use the excuse of not knowing long term results. What kind of long term studies do they have with the special, new micropouch? And the claims that are made describing the benefits, describe RNY, for the exception of pouch size. So what is all the hype about? There has been huge success with transected RNY, its the non-transected that get revised. And the previous poster: why did you come back as anonymous to agree with yourself? Thats funny.
   — [Anonymous]

January 16, 2002
Some people should read before they put foot in mouth lol: A Quick Overview for Physicians 1. What is the MicropouchSM procedure? The MicropouchSM procedure is the result of lessons learned over the past 17 years in several thousand bariatric patients. It is an operation in which the stomach is reduced to the size of the gastric cardia. The cardia is durable and does not stretch over time.1 The cardia also contains very few parietal cells, so patients with GERD are virtually cured of their acid reflux symptoms.2 The bottom of the stomach still has its vagal innervation. Consequently, acid production in the cephalic phase of gastric acid secretion is intact as well as normal gastric emptying.3 2. Why choose the MicropouchSM over other gastric bypass operations? This innovative smaller pouch empties more rapidly than the traditional 30 -cc pouches. When patients eat slowly and chew thoroughly, a medium -sized meal (one salad plate) can be eaten in 30 minutes. We encourage 6-8 small meals a day with fluids taken between meals. Multiple small meals minimize insulin production, so fat can be burned as an energy source. Since there is very little acid in our micropouchesSM (<2meq Hcl/L), patients do not develop acid reflux or marginal ulceration. We do not constrict the gastric reservoir outlet with marlex bands or silastic rings. Therefore, band erosions or abscesses from foreign body reactions do not occur. Over the last 7 years, we have performed more than l,900 micropouchSM procedures. We have not revised the micropouchSM in any patient. Most importantly, more than 90% of our patients lose 75% of their excess weight within two years of surgery. This result equals or surpasses the weight reduction achieved in other Roux -en -Y gastric bypass programs. Remember, the micropouchSM slows, but does not prevent the ingestion of food. It takes calories to burn calories!
   — [Anonymous]