Question:
How Does RNY Compare To C-Sections?

I HAVE HAD 3 C-SECTIONS AND I AM WONDERING HOW THE RISKS AND SEVERITY OF THE SURGERY COMPARE WITH A SURGERY LIKE THAT! AM I AT MORE OF A RISK WITH THE RNY THAN I WAS WITH C-SECTIONS OR ARE THE RISKS RELATIVELY THE SAME? I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THE PAIN AND RECOVERY FROM AN RNY ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO A C-SECTION. SOME HAVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD TAKE AN RNY OVER A C-SECTION ANYDAY! PLEASE HELP BECAUSE I AM A LITTLE SCARED! I WONT HAVE THIS SURGERY OUT OF DESPERATION AND I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT, BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO EXPERIENCE ANYTHING UNEXPECTED AND THEN REGRET HAVING IT! ALSO, ON AVERAGE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE MAJOR COMPLICATIONS POST-OP?    — Tracy S. (posted on February 2, 2003)

February 2, 2003
Interesting question (today is our son's 13th, so the anniversary of my first C-section). I'll be honest. For me, the pain of the RNY was much, much greater than either of my two sections. The morphine didn't touch the pain, so I had to take other pain meds with the RNY. Maybe part of it is being 13, then 7 years removed from the C-sections and older, and generally in worse health. I had some complications post-op; a wound infection causing me to have the entire wound (about 9-10 inches) opened up, two strictures, etc. Would I do it again? I'm ambivalent right now (I'm only 2 months out), but I do know it saved my life. I'm turning the corner in my recuperation, so I'm leaning towards the yes. Though I knew it was major surgery, I expected to bounce back faster. Let others nurture you afterwards. Good luck.
   — Mary Ann B.

February 2, 2003
I had 2 c-sections prior to open RNY, the risk is going to be there no mater what kind of surgery you have. As far as the pain, I don't think it was any worse than either of my c-sections. In fact it really prepared me for what to expect. I went back to work 2 weeks post op with no complications.
   — Penny C.

February 2, 2003
this very question came up in my informational meeting and here is how the surgeon answered it. "I have never had a c-section, but this pain is the worst pain you can ever imagine." Having had neither myself, I can only go by the surgeons words.
   — Delores S.

February 2, 2003
I had very little pain after my RNY. There is no comparison.I didnt even have to take pain medicine when I came home and I had a cough. They say everyone is different though. My doctor said they is no muscle there so there where you are cutting into muscle with a c section.
   — Paulette G.

February 2, 2003
I've also had 3 c-sections, and one additional hernia/tubal LAP abdominal surgery. If you are having a Lap Rny, it's NOTHING like a c-section. It's like a walk in the park. The incisions are small, and they are higher up. Plus, the nurses don't hand you a new baby every couple of hours to feed. That alone makes recovery easier! LOL! Take a look at my page, and you'll get a blow by blow account of my experience.
   — Diana L.

February 2, 2003
Hi Tracy, I've had 2 c-sections, and while I don't remember the pain, I feel the open RNY surgery I had one year ago is very similar. you are uncomfortable and will probably need a pain killer, and use a pillow for your incision site. But it goes quickly. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 2, 2003
I have had 2 c-sections and I can't even recall actual pain after those. I felt real discomfort moving around but not intense pain. I had asked people this same question before my lap RNY and heard that it was similar and I am sorry to say that the RNY was 10 times worse! At least 3 or 4 times worse. I wish I had been told to expect that level of pain and then I could have been better prepared and not so surprised. People who have open will skoff at the pain of lap but everyone is different and the pain I had was VERY real. The surgery on the inside is exactly the same!!! I also had 2 induced 30 hour+ labors before those c-sections so I am familiar with actual pain!!!
   — Carol S.

February 2, 2003
I had 2 c-sections 19 and 22 years ago and lap RNY last October. I don't remember much pain with the c-sections, probably because my philosphy was the same - get moving as soon as possible! After the first c-section, I was totally bored and ready to go home after 2 days, but back then, they made you stay! After the second c-section, I had an IV and a catheter, (and a fever) and they would leave the baby in his bassinet at the foot of the bed-screaming his head off, so I had to get up and take care of him! After my RNY, I was up the next morning for the leak test and stayed up the rest of the day, started walking and coughing and doing deep breathing. As far as risks, I would bet the risks of complications with WLS are less than with a c-section. I worked in labor and delivery years ago, and I saw what could happen with c-sections - whew! I'll take RNY any day!
   — koogy

February 2, 2003
I've had two c-sections, and I asked my doctor that question before my open RNY. He answered me by saying that the risk of surgery on a scale of 1 to 10 for a c-section would be a 2 and the RNY would be an 8. Knowing that, I assumed the pain would be the same, too. Now, from my experience, I know that the c-section pain I had was minor compared to the pain I experienced from the RNY surgery. I had pain for about three weeks after the RNY while the c-section pain lasted only a week or so. Even knowing this, I would go through the pain again because the results for me are life-changing. When I look back on my surgery, the recovery that seemed so long and painful is now just a "few days" in my life. It's something that I got through and now look back on with wonder at what has happened during the last few months. It's really smart that you are looking into all aspects of the surgery. The more you know the better off you are when considering this life altering surgery. As far as complications, I didn't have any except spasms/cramping at the incision - which is not a common occurance. Of my five friends who had the same surgery, only one had any complications and that was resolved without any major life-threatening problems. Good luck and best wishes on your quest.
   — lezawomack

February 2, 2003
I guess I was very lucky. My surgeon said that the pain of an open RNY is very comparable to a c-section, which I did have 3 years ago. I had very little pain with either procedure. After my RNY I had a morphine pump until the next day, which I'm sure helped. After that I had an occasional Percocet in the hospital. My surgery was on a Monday and I went home on Wednesday. I had only 1/2 a Percocet the first evening at home, and none since. I consider myself VERY lucky that I have a high tolerance.
   — Deborah R.

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