Question:
Is one safer then the other? Between open gastric bypass and Lap?

Does one have a higher mortality rate? Are there any differences in the amount of complications that can occur?Please let me know if you have any info. It will be greatly appreciated!    — Nicole W. (posted on February 7, 2003)

February 7, 2003
hi there :) i think they both have their pros and cons. with the lap, there are smaller incisions and usually less healing time but there seems to be a higher leak rate. with open, there is usually a bigger incision, a bit longer healing time and more icreased chance for hernia. i myself had open and this scared me at first but this was the only way my surgeon does it, he explained that he feels much better seeing everything with his own eyes rather than relying on screens, video, whatever is used. after hearing what he had to say, i was comfortable with it, and my surgery went beautiful! best of luck to you in the procedure you have. :)everyones different so results may be different regardless of the procedure done. hope this helped ya. :)
   — carrie M.

February 7, 2003
Nicole, I think you should check out the message boards from yesterday, there was quite a lively discussion going on. Then, if you read somehting from someone, you can check out that person's individual story! Everyone has an opinion and they are as different as night and day. For me, its do you feel comfortable with your surgeon, do you trust him/her and what does he/her perform. Good Luck!
   — heathercross

February 7, 2003
I had lap and liked the fact that my stomach was completely transected, instead of being stapled. I have no chance of staple line disruption down the road! I was in the hospital 2 days and back at work full day on day #12 post op. I am 46 years old, so not a spring chicken! i also think the chances of leaking have something to do with the skill of the surgeon.
   — koogy

February 7, 2003
There is no right answer to your question. The stomach can be transected either open or lap. I had both. I had a lap procedure in May, 2002 and then had to have an open one in July to fix a problem with the first surgery. I had very little pain with either and was able to walk the same day as my lap and the next day after the open. I had the open late in the day, so when I got back to my room, the night shift nurses were on and it was almost time to go to sleep. I would make sure to ask the surgeon which he/she is more comfortable with. If they say lap, ask how many they have done. Remember that the internal procedure is the same whether it's done open or lap. Find a surgeon that you have complete faith in and go with his/her recommendation. It's really the end result that counts, isn't it?
   — garw