Question:
Do people really lose the weight faster if they chose the open over lap?

   — sarah O. (posted on January 11, 2002)

January 11, 2002
I'm post op from an Open RNY. I've never heard that we lose faster than folks who had the lap procedure. I agree with Barb that its what done on the inside that affects the weight loss, not the type of incision.
   — Donna L.

January 11, 2002
Hey who told you such a thing? Actually since Laps usually recover faster they can be more active sooner and may burn more calories, and thus loose a bit more weight sooner. I doubt its a measurable amount. The MAIN difference is that 30% of opens develop a incisional hernia wheras Laps almost never do.
   — bob-haller

January 11, 2002
I had to have open. My surgeon does the micropouch, which does not stretch, no acid reflux, and he hasn't had one single revision. He can't do it lap as the pouch is smaller than the lap instruments used during surgery. He has an 80% weight loss average in his patients. It is the latest in RNY surgery. So that is why I could not have it lap. I love my pouch though, and it is worth the scar.
   — Phiddy B.

January 11, 2002
My surgeon does the LAP, the instruments are for dissecting which the size is up to the surgeons discretion. He can make it as small as he wants. He said my new pouch was as small as a pinkie finger which I think is pretty much 'micro'. The new pouch is the part of the stomach that is least likely to stretch, no acid reflux and he has had no revisions in the hundreds of patients with huge success. He is also the first doc in the state of Virginia to do the lap and trains others in this procedure. The incision makes no difference in weight loss rates. Good luck in whatever procedure you choose.
   — [Anonymous]

January 11, 2002
I have not heard of the new procedure, however I think that losing weight faster isn't necessarily the best way. With the surgery you will lose weight fast anyway. But the faster you lose, the less time given to your skin to catch up. I am losing 2-3 lbs. a week and am very pleased with that. In the beginning I lost much faster. I don't understand all of the people who moan and groan about losing too slow, that is a good thing. We have plenty of time to lose it.
   — [Anonymous]