Seeking Opinions- Lap versus REVISED Open Procedure

I've done a lot of research on the different types or surgeries and techniques, and I must say I was dead set on having me RNY done LAP instead of open, until I spoke to my surgeon. One of my main pieces of criteria for selecting him was because my surgeon uses the LAP procedure. He is Dr. John Alexander in Texas and has an excellent history with both procedures. Everything I read on Obesityhelp.com says your best bet is to stick with what your surgeon feels is best at but since he has had no history of problems with either (but recommends his invented technique which he refers to as a "revised Open" surgery due to it being 4 inches down from the breast bone instead of 6 inches) I need to consider it. He says his open procedure does not cut into muscle like the standard open RNY and he claims that the healing time is the same as LAP (as the 6 small incisions do do go through muscle). That and statistics show LAP having higher risks. In fact most of the patients in the waiting room that day had the revised open rather than the LAP. They all seemed great and were a couple of days out of the hospital. The scar did not look too bad but it is what it is. I just found it strange that so many had gone with the revised open vs. the LAP option. I guess because he recommends it. However, he will perform either one and is sucessful just the same with both but in the same breath says he finds his revised open a better choice for his patients all around. I don't want a scar going down and would like to have an easier time in recovery as everyone says open is harder. That is why I wanted LAP. 6 small incisions rather than one 4 inch one. I mean when it comes right down to it I am will do either one in a second, but have been given the choice. I don't know which to go with so any advice would be great......

We greatly appreciate your interest in helping us build our Q&A database. To discourage vandals from posting garbage, however, we require people to register before posting.

You must be logged in to post an answer. Click here to log in.