Question:
How bad is the scar from an open surgery vs. a lap surgery?

I would like to know what the difference of scars are between the open and the lap surgeries...    — Pandora A. (posted on May 12, 2002)

May 12, 2002
Hi Pandora, My surgeon would tell you if the scar is important to you, you want the surgery for the wrong reasons. Your health is supposed to be the reason for the surgery. But, from a more "female" point of view, you have holes from a lap and an incision open. I had open DS in Dec. My scar is from breastbone to navel about 1/4 inch wide. For a younger person, I understand they will use steri-strips instead of staples to make the line finer and less noticible.
   — grammie5

May 12, 2002
My husband is a surgical technologist (assists and hands instruments) and assists in both types of these surgeries a lot. The lap procedure leaves you with about 3-4 1" incisions, whereas, the open procedure has left me with a 6-7" vertical incision. The hospital time is 1-2 days less; however, I have had virtually NO PAIN with my open RNY (5/2/02) and feel good about my decision. Best of luck to you!
   — KristyKatt

May 12, 2002
I had six 1/2" incisions scattered across my upper abdomen following my lap RNY. The incisions were closed with Steri-strips, no sutures or staples. At 26 months post-op, I cannot find any of these incisions :-) Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

May 12, 2002
I just had an open RNY on May 1st. My incision is only 4.5 inches. It begins at the breastbone, right between my breasts. The doctor put 16 staples in in, 8 of which came out before I left the hospital and the rest will come out this Tuesday (13 days later). The incision is healing beautifully. It is narrow and shorter than I thought it would be. I am very glad I had the open and not the lap. Something about 6 holes in my abdomen I didn't like!!! Talk to your doctor. My roommate in the hospital was a nurse who had the same surgery. She said to check the size of the surgeons hands...the smaller they are, the smaller the incisions they have to make!
   — Brenda A.

May 12, 2002
you can view pictures of my incision if you like, the link to the picture trail is on my profile
   — Deanna Wise

May 12, 2002
My incision from the RNY is 5 inches. My doc closes with a product called Tegaderm. It's a sticky, clear plastic breathable material. You can shower the same day if you want. My scar is a thin line, no railroad tracks from staples. It is hardly visible to the eye.
   — ZZ S.

May 12, 2002
My Open RNY scar is 3 1/2 inches long starting at the bra line. I am 5 months postop and already it has faded to a very light pink. My surgeon is now offering lap and I guess that would have been nice for some reasons, but I have no regrets with my surgery, particularly where the scar is concerned.
   — Donna L.

May 12, 2002
The incision from my Open RNY is a tad over three inches long. I had twelve staples closing it leaving a row of dots along each side which at only three months are already fading significantly. The incision is very thin, maybe the width of a piece of yarn. My reasons for selecting an open procedure was not wholly based on the scar it would leave, however I don't think I would have gone this route had my surgeon not promised me this mini-incision. I am very happy. If you want to go open, but have concerns about the length of the scar, ask your doctor.
   — PaulaM