Question:
RNY Lap Surgery VERSUS RNY Open Surgery

I am having difficulties deciding on a lap RNY surgery versus an open RNY surgery? The doctor says if I have the lap RNY surgery, he can do it successfully, but I won't get a ring that is used in the RNY surgery, because the incisions are too small. What is this ring he is talking about? Let me clarify, that I am not talking about the Lapband. This is really bothering me and really confusing.    — Shelley Rae B. (posted on October 3, 2004)

October 2, 2004
More than likely he is talking about the fobi pouch. It is a ring that sits above the new pouch. If I were you I would do all the searching on this I could and decide if it is right for you. As with any WLS there are complications with the ring.
   — jenafwife

October 2, 2004
The RNY normally has no ring. You confuse me too. Every now and then someone reports trouble with a RNY VBG combo. thats a RNY with a ring but I dont know what your surgeon is doing. A tight ring can cause trouble eating good foods like meat while junk like chips goes down fine:( I would question your surgeon futher on the ring.<P> Beyond that LAP vs OPEN. Opens according to my surgeon get hernias about 1/3 of the time and usually that requires follow up surgery. This is becauuse in open surgery your muscle wall is cut permanetely weakening it. LAP thats a VERY rare, well less than 1%. Plus with less cutting LAP has much less trauma to the body making for less pain and faster recovery.
   — bob-haller

October 2, 2004
I had lap Rny no ring my sister had open rny no ring. So as for the ring I am unsure. But between the two.. I had a quick recovery of less than a week were as my siter had to stay an extra week in hosptial and had more pain and discomfort moving around. Plus she had problems with the incision closing and had to pack it for a while. All in all we would both do it over again in a heartbeat. It has been a blessing to both of us. I am now down 120 in 8 months. God Bless.
   — Vitabella

October 3, 2004
Just a thought -- if you have the ring with the RNY you certainly decrease the chance of having a stretched stoma. Many folks are having now getting the ring installed to compensate for the stretched stoma. Personally, I'd go for the ring, but my stoma is wide open (after two years)... Nina in Maine
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 3, 2004
ok, I found out. It's the stilastic ring my surgeon uses, like the Fobi Ring. I have a choice to have Lap Surgery without it, or Open with the ring. I need to research alot more.
   — Shelley Rae B.

October 3, 2004
I asked my surgeon about the fobi pouch. dr schauer said the results are the same with or without the fobi pouch, and he prefers to not insert foreign bodies in people if not absolutely necessary. This would probably be a good question for the site. does the pouch improve results, along with anyone get fobi pouch LAP?
   — bob-haller

October 3, 2004
I had Fobi pouch Jan 14 open rny with a silastic band at the bottom of my pouch.I have lost 123 pds in 9 mths since from 245-123 and lost my health problems also.There were no complications as of yet except a hernia which is common w open incisions.I also have had a tummy tuck .The fobi ring is supposed to help you keep from regaining by not letting your stoma stretch.There is some really good information on the web just look up Dr Mal Fobi and it should link you to his website and explain the procedure!I do have an open scar which now needs a revision because it is hyperetrophic which means raised and sometimes I wonder if I had a lap would I have been happier with the scarring because Im very light complected but I am very pleased with my results overall and would do it again !Good luck!
   — glori74

October 3, 2004
If you have a choice; go for the open with the RING. Better to have the RING than have lap and then have a non-fuctional stoma which can happen with a regular RNY.
   — star .