Question:
Lap RNY: help with some questions please!
I have submitted to ins. to have a lap band placed. They have denied it but told me they would cover a lap rny. Can you guys tell me exactly how risky is the operation itself. I know about the afteraffects (dumping, malabsorbtion of foods, hair loss, etc.), but what about the operation itself. I can just see myself stuck with a feeding tube for the rest of my life. Also what about recovery time for the lap rny? I am a pediatric nurse on a floor with patients 2-10 yrs. old. There is virtually no lifting but I do work 12 hour shifts two days a week, so I am on my feet a lot there. I just don't know what to do and would love to hear positive and negatives. Also the surgeon which I really like is just learning the procedure and I will be a patient with a very prominant OSU surgeon proctoring him at the time. — lindadougherty (posted on December 19, 2002)
December 19, 2002
Hi There,
I had lap rny, not the banding. I had absolutely no physical complications
that were caused by the surgery. I of course dealt with the side effects,
such as hair loss and malabsorbtion down the road. My journey has been a
great one. I had a sit down full time job and a part time
bartending/cocktail waitressing job. I returned to my full time job within
two weeks of the surgery, and to my part time job about 4 weeks after the
surgery. As far as the risk goes, the better you take care of yourself
before and especially after the surgery, the better chance you have of
having no problems whatsoever. One of the most important things to
remember is that they do surgery on your stomach, not your brain. I don't
see a problem with your choice of surgeon, as long as you feel comfortable
with him and that he will have the "standby" watching over the
procedure. Good luck to you!
— Becky S.
December 19, 2002
I had lap rny. My surgeon also performs lap band but I prefereed the rny.
There is a much higher success rate. I have had no complications. Read my
profile for details.
— Linda A.
December 19, 2002
I also had Lap RNY. I have had no complications and I am doing great. I
could have gone back to work at 2 weeks out, but I had a lot of time saved
up so I took off a total of 5 weeks. I feel great and I am so thrilled
that I did this! As of this past Sunday (12/8/02) I am down 50 lbs and I
am not even 2 months out (12/21/02)!
— Jessica D
December 19, 2002
Hi.....I had Lap RNY on Jan 15th 2002 and had no complications whatsoever.
I chose lap because of the healing time plus I didn't want the huge scar.
I was an at home mother and I was down for about 3 weeks but I probably
could have been back to work by 2 weeks. I was what people considered a
light weight (259lbs) and have lost all my weight by 8 months out. My
surgery took about 90 minutes and I was only in the hospital 2 nights. It
was definately the best decision for me. Hope this helps....email me with
any questions. :-)
— hawk4life
December 19, 2002
Hi--I just had surgery 9 days ago (12-11-02). I am also a nurse and I went
to work a half day yesterday! I feel great, only feel a little 'bruised'
in the abdomen. I have been shopping and everything, and am having no
problems. I did not have complications (the hardest thing for me was that
dangling JP drain!). I was a 'lightweight' (232 on the day of surgery, now
214), so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I think you'll
do fine!
— Kimberley E.
December 20, 2002
I also had the lap RNY and have not had ANY complications. I feel
absolutely great now and would do it all again in a heartbeat. I am not
quite 5 months yet and have lost 81 pounds. I am also in healthcare. I am
a CNA and all I do is lifting. So just to be on the safe side I didn't go
back to work for 2 months. But that was my own personal decision. I know
people that went back much sooner than I did. It seems like what I have
read, although the lap band procedure is less invasive it seems to have
more complications than the lap RNY. But that's just my opinion. Good luck
in your decision.
— Laurel C.
December 20, 2002
I had the lap RNY too. While any type of lap surgery has less risk (no
open incision, no hernias), I'm sure you know that all surgeries have some
risks, such as blood clots. I know a few who unexpectedly had
complications. I, myself, had to have an open surgery 5 days after the lap
because I had had a hernia and it sucked my bowel into it and kinked it. I
had the lap because the scaring is light, the recovery is so much faster,
but unfortunately the complication occured. But keep in mind that I am the
exception and not the rule. It was my 2nd lap surgery (gallbladder the
year before) and I highly suggest lap over open.
— Cindy R.
December 22, 2002
I had Lap RNY Nov. 26 I went back to work half day on day 6 and on day 8 I
was able to work all day. The recovery time is very quick and I had no
complications. I do have an office job, so you may want to wait longer,
but my biggest issue was the fatigue I felt from consuming so few calories
on an all clear liquid diet. My doctor said it was perfectly normal and I
felt great when I moved to the full liquid diet. Good luck.
— Jennifer R.
January 17, 2003
I had the Lap RNY~~~it's the BEST way to go!! Would do it again in a
heartbeat!!
— yourdivaness
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