Question:
What is the difference in visible scaring from a Lap RNY to a Open RNY?

   — Danielle B. (posted on January 10, 2004)

January 10, 2004
I had an open RNY so I can tell you that usually goes from your breast bone down, it can reach as far as your belly button depending on how you are built. I beleive the LAP has between 4 and 6 small scars in all different areas, I think they are about 1 1/2 inches or so........hopefully someone who has some will chime in here......LOL
   — Saxbyd

January 10, 2004
I had lap rny on june 27th 2003 and I have six 1/2 inch incisions. Now I know they are supposed to go white with time but I scar horribly so mine are still red but really the scarring isn't bad at all. 292/195/???
   — horserider0146

January 10, 2004
Due to a complication following my LAP RNY in 9/02, I have both the 6 tiny slits and a vertical incisional scar about 10" long. After 15-1/2 months, the Lap scars are teeny tiny and have turned mostly white. Between all the freckles on my tummy, you really can't even see them. The long incisional scar is another story. Though most of this scar has faded a great deal, I did experience some keloid, where the scar bucks up, gets thick, and stays bright red. Lovely, I know. I may have this scar revised later this year. However, I have seen the incisional scars of others who have had the open RNY, and it truly does fade over time. The reason I chose LAP was for the minimial scarring (barring any complications). All the best.
   — Kimberly L. A.

January 10, 2004
At 2.5 years out my LAP scars are gone, all that remains are some very minor pink skin where the ports were. This compares with my old 1975 scar from my appendectomy, still large and visible. I picked lAP because of its VERY LOW hernia risk, as my job involves some heavy lifting. My wifes LAPn scars are at most minor nicks not visible unless you use a magnifying glass.
   — bob-haller

January 10, 2004
I am four years post-op lap RNY. I had five 1/2" incisions scattered across my upper abdomen, and they were pinkish-purple in color for the first six months or so. By one year post-op, those tiny incisions had faded in color to a pinkish-white, and by my two year anniversary I couldn't find them at all because they looked exactly like some of the white stretch-mark lines already present on my abdomen. I have had three previous abdominal surgeries in past years, with the long vertical incision from bellybutton to pubic area. That scarred area was at least 15 years old and still markedly visible at the time of my tummy tuck two years ago. My present tummy tuck scar is much less visible than my previous abdominal incision scar. The five of us in my family who have had lap RNY surgery chose that approach not so much because of the decrease in scarring, but primarily because of the reduced incidence of post-op hernias and infection, decreased pain management needs, and earlier return to work and normal activities of daily living. The key to a successful lap surgery is finding an experienced lap surgeon. There are countless numbers of general surgeons who are now jumping on-board the WLS bandwagon....be very cautious in your selection of surgeons and preferably select a board-certified bariatric surgeon who specializes in laparascopy if you decide that lap surgery is the way you want to go. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

January 11, 2004
I had a lap RNY 9/20/02 and had five incisions, one in my belly button. I never could see the one in my belly button and three were about a 1/4 inch long and one was about 1/2 inch long. Within months, I had a hard time even finding the incisions, except for the longest one. Now at 15+ months out, I can only find that one and see a slight mark like a dimple where the highest one was, under my sternum. I honestly don't think anyone else would even notice either one unless they were really looking hard for them; they really don't even look like scars, per se. It's truly amazing to me that they managed to change my innards so much and barely leave a trace on my skin!
   — sandsonik