Open RNY?

Something to think about: I think that complications for WLS have become less prevalent because of the laparoscopic techniques. Something I've been told anyway and I believe is true for other types of surgeries as well (such as gallbladder surgery).

Very good point, thank you.

I was suppose to have Lap but due to leaking they had to open me up. The big issue with having it done open is the risk of infection. My incision ended up being infected and they had to open it up and had to do a wet/dry wound care and it took months. I am not going to sugar coat it, it was bad and I freaked out and had to have a home nurse stop by to help me.

That being said it does not mean that will happen to you if you go with open. Wishing you luck Keep us posted on how you are doing...

Oh boysies. I'm so sorry you went through that... awful! You're right... adding more chance for issues doesn't lessen my anxiety.

The key thing to note here, is even with all I went through the first 3 months of my surgery, I would do it again in a beat

A surgeon needs to be a good cutter, not your friend. Unless you have a medical reason to have an open RNY, please go with an up to date, well trained surgeon, even if she's a *****!

Most of your follow up will be with her staff and honestly, once your surgery is over, you have no NEED for a surgeon. A good PCP is the key to good post surgery care - labs etc.

So true.

Unfortunately I'm a true Taurus and I want what I want when I want it, so waiting to hear from them is very hard/frustrating for me. But that doesn't mean I need to abandon the original plan... just have to put on my patience pants and deal with it!

(This website is like a godsend. Thank you all for your help and taking time to respond. Glad I found this resource!!)

I had open RNY in 2007. The surgeon who was my first choice from an emotional standpoint would only do it open, but the other doctor I considered (who was actually a better surgeon) just didn't have a very good bedside manner and I really wanted that emotional support.

My incision was 10+ inches because I carried so much of my weight in my belly, and I was off work 6 weeks instead of 3-4. I ended up developing an incisional hernia that had to be repaired (another open surgery) a year later. Then a couple of years after that, adhesions caused my intestine to be bound to the mesh from the hernia repair... which required 18 months of increasing pain in order to convince the surgeon to go in AGAIN (another open surgery) and find out what was going on. The pain was from te intestine becoming partially blocked and then unblocked depending on the density of food I was eating and, probably, how well I chewed it.

With the increase in technology and surgeon training in the last 11 years, unless you have a medical reason for having open surgery, I wouldn't. It is so much harder on your body and the complication rates are undeniably higher.

Lora

Thank you!!