Question:
What is the LAP Rny and how does it compare to the other surgeries?

FOR INSTANCE THE DISTAL OR PROXIMAL,OR JUST STRAIGHT GASTRIC BYPASS.    — Tammy P. (posted on January 6, 2000)

January 6, 2000
Tammy, I had a Lap RNY alittle over 2 months ago. The Lap RNY and the Open RNY (both are gastric bypasses) differ only in the incision. I have 6 small incisions ranging from alittle over 1 inch to .25 of an inch and shrinking (your inciscions shrink as you do). The open RNY is one long incision. My surgery was also a proximal, which refers to the length of small intestine that is bypassed. Because I had a proximal I absorb all the food I ingest. With the distal bypass that is not the case. Hope this helps.
   — Jilda H.

January 7, 2000
Hey Tammy: The only thing I would add to Jilda's answer is that LAP has a shorter hospital stay and recovery seems to be easier (barring any complications). I am 3 1/2 months post-op and have had no complications to date from my LAP Proximal Bypass. Good luck.
   — Dot W.

April 11, 2000
I can only speak about my experience with Lap. roux-en-y with about 100 cm bypassed, which I guess is considered "proximal". I had surgery on Wed. 12-1-99, came home from the hospital that Friday, Christmas shopped Sat. and Sun. and returned to work on Monday! The recovery following lap. surgery is much easier and quicker than open!! Important to use a surgeon with lots of experience doing Lap. surgery as it is a skill that takes a while to perfect operating through a scope!
   — Sally B.

April 11, 2000
Also keep in mind that with the lap procedure a great percentage of the time it may end up being an open anyways. Your doctor should tell you that. If by any means the doctor does not feel comfortable or feels he/she does not have enough room to do the procedure they will change to the open during the procedure. This does not happen to everyone but does happen to some. Over 70% of the time.
   — Julie H.

April 11, 2000
70% of lap RNY's do not result in open surgeries. Your surgeon will go over the possibilities with you, and what pre-existing conditions may cause the lap to be impossible. I had my Laproscopic RNY on a Tuesday morning February 22nd and left the hospital Thursday morning the 24th. Flew home the next day, felt a little "bruised" and tired but other than that was able to navigate the Atlanta airport by myself with my bags, no problem. I was able to get back to work within a few days, but I took a week off after surgery since I had scheduled it already with my company. No infections on the surgery sites (somewhat common with open RNY's, as are post-operative hernias) quick healing and keeping the scars to a minimum for aesthetic purposes were just some of the reasons I chose the lap. 50 days since the surgery, down 45 pounds so far.
   — Elizabeth M.