Question:
Looking for good remarks of doing an OPEN vs LAP Rny.
I am 2 weeks pre-op and am having Open Rny because the surgeon that I am going to (Dr. Scholten) has moved hospitals and will not be doing Lap for lack of equipment. I was told by the nurse that if I want Lap I need to find another surgeon. Well at this point I can't even imagine starting over with someone els, and Dr. Scholted was highly recommended to me by my doctor, so Open it will be for me. Just seems like more of these surgerys are done Lap and I read about the nice tiny incisions with less chance of hernias and adhesions, speedy recovery. I guess I am just looking for some of those good reasons for doing it Open to make me feel better about this. Thank you — Diane S. (posted on October 16, 2003)
October 16, 2003
I had open and honestly it was no big deal. I was back at work in three
weeks, no problems. I had lap hernia repair and it hurt like an SOB!!! I
don't know why.I was ok with open, stay with a Dr you trust.
— Stephanie B.
October 16, 2003
I had open and it really wasn't bad at all... The first day after surgery I
was in a whole lot of pain, but by day 2 it was much better.... I healed
fine and have had no problems... I also had 2 prior c-sections before
that.. I think it was more painful then that but like I said, it was only
for the first day out...
— baybekmbrly
October 16, 2003
I had open RNY July 18, 2003 and did great. Personally after doing research
on both I felt more comfortable with the open because the doctor is not
looking through a camera doing the surgery. They can see first hand what
they are doing nad less chance for a slip up. The pain was not bad and I
was up walking that very night after the surgery. When I came home I used
liquid Tylenol for pain and only for the first couple of days. I have lost
to date 61 lbs. You will do great. I wish you the best!!! Cynthia
— cindylou56
October 16, 2003
regardless of everyone's opinion on which is best, I agree with you that it
would be a shame to start over from scratch at this point. IF you
admire/trust your surgeon trust him to complete the job you've both
started. I had open - would have preferred lap but loved my surgeon and
his reputed skill (he now does lap too LOL). Recovery was remarkably easy
and I've lost 200 pounds in 14 months. I've got a minor hernia but it was
from my c-section and none from the open RNY procedure. Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 16, 2003
My surgeon did lap and open. I asked for an OPEN. At that time, the
'surgery' time for an open was less than a LAP. Due to family reasons, I
did not want my family to have to 'wait' any longer than necesary, so I
asked for an Open.
Also, I wanted my gallbadder taken out (something they do NOT due at the
same time if doing lap). A BONUS, was since I was an open, the doctor
founda LARGE Ovarian cyst I didnt even know I had, and 'removed' it. The
surgery inside is the same regarless if you are open or lap. Yes, the
recover period is a bit harder and takes a bit longer, but for me it was
worth it. But bottom line, only you can decide. You wouldnt totally be
starting from stratch, if you saw another surgeon. If you are already
'approved' thru your insurance; it would just be a matter of one consult
with the new surgeon and having him submit the 'same surgery' request...
doesnt take any time all all.
— star .
October 16, 2003
Hi, I just had open about a week ago. I was in the sam position as you
basically. My surgeon does lap but you have to be a certain BMI for her
tools. There were other surgeons in the same hospital that had the tools
and were doing lap on people like 500 lbs(!!) My surgeon won't do that. She
like your surgeon, is highly skilled abd has a flawless reputation. She's
also a trauma surgeon...couldn't be in better hands. Anyway, my pain really
has been minimal. The first three days were the worst and you get pain meds
for it so it's fine. On the baratric floor where I was at, while walking, I
met several people who had had the LAP, and the majority of them were
complaining about the gas settling in their shoulders etc..from when they
blow you full of gas to do LAP. Pain medicine for some reason just doesn't
seem to touch that pain. I had the Open and I seemed to have more energy
and was in less pain that the Lap people. I guess you can compare it to
someone who's had vaginal birth vs C-section. The C-section people have a
longer recovery than the regular delivery way. So, I feel open is the way
to go. Plus, isn't it better for the surgeon to see EXACTLY what's what in
there? A friend of mine who worked in a hospital for many years who's
mother just had this surgery said there is no way he's let her get Lap. He
didn't want to take the chance of the surgeon nicking another organ
accidentally while doing Lap. Sorry this is so long! I got carried away!
Good Luck..I think you'll be happy and satisfied with the OPEN. Also if
you're happy with your surgeon..stay put!
— kathleen-Joan piper
October 16, 2003
Hello! I am 9 1/2 months post-op and I had Open RNY. My surgeon only
performs the open. He wasnt comfortable doing the lap. You are typically
under longer. I had an epadural (sp?) with morphine prior to going under
and when I woke up I had almost no pain except for a small gas pain right
in the center of my chest, but I felt really good. It only took them 45
minutes to do my surgery vs 2 hours for a lap. Yes the scar is larger and
the recovery takes a little longer but I am confident in the fact that the
surgeon could see exactly what he was doing and did many "leak"
tests before closing me back up.
— Lisa R.
October 16, 2003
I had lap RNY, and there are lots of mis-statements out there about it
being a longer surgery, greater chance of nicked bowel, etc. Although those
statements are not necessarily true, it does not mean one method is better
than another. It sounds like you are very comfortable and confident in
your surgeon, and although you would have preferred lap surgery, the same
surgery will be done, no matter how they get in there to do it, and that's
the bottom line. I truly believe how you recover has a lot to do with your
attitude. If you think you will be sore and unable to move, you probably
will feel that way. But if you have it in your head that the sooner you
get moving, the less pain you will have, that will probably be the case. I
would have the surgery all over again if they had to turn me inside out to
do it; it's worth it. Best of luck!
— koogy
October 16, 2003
I think that first and foremost, you have to be comfortable with your
surgeon and his/her abilities. That's really important, no matter which
procedure you are having. I had Lap/RNY and for myself, personally, it was
the only way I would have gone. Fortunately, I found a surgeon who is at
the top of his game with respect to laparoscopic procedures, in general and
RNY, specifically. My surgery lasted just 55 minutes without a single
complication, a very fast recovery and a happy ever after ending. I have
found that the surgeons who don't feel comfortable with the lap procedure
make it sound like the worse of the choices, but it isn't... in fact, it
all depends on your preference and the kind of time you have available for
recovery. In the end, it only matters how you feel about your surgeon and
your confidence level in their ability. You will be fine, either way and I
wish you much health and happiness... it's a REALLY good thing!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 17, 2003
Unless a person has had both surgeries there is really no way for them to
compare one to the other! I had mine open and I'm pretty happy with that.
I don't particularly care for the scar but that is really the least of my
worries. I have a tendency to obsess about things and the fact that the
Dr. was able really see what he was doing and did leak tests while I was
under makes me feel more comfortable. I still worry about things like
leaks and SLD but I just console myself with the fact that he was able to
really move around in there! As far as the pain goes - we all tolerate
pain at different levels. I was okay. Yes there was some pain, but it
wasn't so great that it made a huge impression on me. I remember that I
had it but I don't remember the pain itself. Make any sense? I only took
about 4 or 5 of my pain killers once I came home. I was up moving around
very early (maybe too early) but I think that helped with the healing
process. I hope this helps and good luck!
— Pambylah
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