Question:
Open or Lap RNY is either one safer or more effective than the other?

I was hopeing to go with Lap RNY, due to the fact that their will be less scaring, but my main goal is to no longer be fat. Can anyone tell me if one procedure is safer or more effective than the other, it would be greatly appreciated.    — Franca (posted on January 23, 2005)

January 23, 2005
Its the same procedure the difference is the approach. Laproscopic RNY is done with tiny incisions and the surgeons insert the instruments that act as the surgeons hands. A tiny camera is inserted and the surgeon can see your insides on a tv screen. When the approach is Open the surgeon is able to stick their hands inside to perform the same operation. Both approaches can be done safely. It's just that the Laproscopic version is technicaly more difficult to perform.
   — Kara J.

January 23, 2005
according to dr kenneth jones who has 30 yrs experience in bariatric surgery the rny is the most effective and as of 8 yrs ago stopped doing any other procedures because of this his office can be reached at 318 222 7584 for an info packet speak to sue his nurse
   — barry S.

January 23, 2005
My surgeon Dr philip schauer says about 1/3 of opens get at least one incisional hernia, with LAP the rate is near zero:) Thats certinally backed up by the number of opens reporting a hernia here. Plus LAP has less risk of infection your inside isnt open to room air, and a faster recovery with less pain and shorter hospital stay. The key is to find a HIGHLY EXPERIENCED LAP surgeon who has done at least a 100 or more lap.
   — bob-haller

January 23, 2005
Everyone has an opinion on Lap Vs. Open. Personally- although I wanted the quicker recovery time that goes along with Lap, I felt "safer" with my surgeon having my insides right in front of his eyes. It is a very personal decision. As long as you find a surgeon that has 100's of Lap done, then talk to his patients! Nothing speaks volumes more than personal experience of people he has "sliced" on! Good Luck! Toodles, Ice/Stacy
   — Stacy Forristal

January 23, 2005
Let's look at it like this; There are other surgeries that are done LAP everyday. I had my gallbladder removed LAP and I had surgery (Nissen Fundoplication) for reflus disease and this is a fairly major surgery and I loved the LAP. The pain is almost zip compared to being cut wide open. I had OPEN RNY due to the fundoplication, but I would have much preferred the LAP. Find a doc that has done a LOT of LAPs and talk with some of his/her patients and if all is well then go for it. Personally I would say go with LAP, but that is my opinion. My pain with OPEN was horrific. Of course a lot was because the nurse forgot to hook up my pain pump to me and my meds ran on the floor for a few hours. Good luck..
   — debi327

January 24, 2005
No one would ever argue that doing knee operations the old, open style was better than the same operation performed arthroscopically. Yet, for some reason, many people still try to argue that the "open" RNY procedure is better. Here is why the laparoscopic procedure is simply better: 1. The stapler used in most open procedures does not automatically transcect the stomach (as opposed to the laparoscopic stapler that simultaneously cuts as it staples each side closed). Transcected stomachs have a relatively low rate of staple line disruptions (although this is not to say that many open surgeons do not manually transcect the stomach). 2. Field of vision in a laparoscopic procedure is actually better as there is less blood and the image is magnified on the monitor. 3. Given surgeons of equal skill, the laparoscopic procedure entails a shorter time on the table as there is less time spent cutting and then suturing the patient. 4. Recovery time is faster, pain is minimized and the patient's ability to ambulate post-operatively is improved when it is done laparoscopically. 5. The rate of complications when the surgery is performed by equally skilled surgeons is lower with the laparscopic RNY as the absence of the large incision means less of a risk of wound infections and incisional hernias and the ability to move around more easily immediately post-operatively improves recovery time. Although in some rare instances, patients with very high BMI's may have difficulty finding a surgeon who can perform the RNY laparscopically, there are enough surgeons who can and will do the procedure in such circumstances laparascopically. But, you always need to remember that this is not like any other operation--- having a surgeon who will be involved in your aftercare is very important and that factor might prompt you to reasonably choose a surgeon who performs the surgery "open". Therefore, although skill level is important, a surgeon's compassion and dedication to long-term patient care are also factors to consider.
   — SteveColarossi