Question:
Is there really a greater chance of a leak
with lap surgery than there is with open. With open, I believe they do the leak test while you are opened up. With lap you have to take a leak test a day after the surgery, which may not be as acurate. — faybay (posted on March 5, 2003)
March 4, 2003
My Dr said that they do a leak test before they remove all the lap
equipment. Later you also have to take another leak test (the swallow
test) just to make sure. I would think that all drs would test the pouch
before closing any surgery, open or lap.
— Pookie B.
March 4, 2003
I had Lap and my Dr. tested me while I was still open. I guess it depends
on the Dr. though.
— gina P.
March 4, 2003
I had Lap and my doctor also does a leak test before closing up. I have
heard leak stories equally among lap and open. The best defense is finding
the best surgeon with the most successes. Even then it is a risk of this
surgery.
— Carol S.
March 4, 2003
I did open because I read that they can work around alot easier, have more
room, and can put in more staples etc.... I also read that ther are less
complications associated with leakage doing it open. But in the down side
you have a little more recovery time and the initial onset of an infection
doing it open. I did my surgery open and would do it again the same way if
I had to. I was in and out of the hospital in 3 1/2 days. I am 13 months
out and lost 190 lbs so far. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
— Richard M.
March 4, 2003
I had mine done lap and my Dr. does 2 leak tests in the OR (one with air
and one with dye) and then the leak test the next day (the one where you
drink the nasty stuff)!!
My Dr. is VERY conservative and has never had a leak in 12 years.
— Haziefrog
March 4, 2003
I also had my surgery lap and was tested a total of three times for leaks..
once in the OR, once the morning after surgery and again later that day (my
reconfigured tummy was slow to process liquid due to swelling so we had to
do another test, no biggie). There are two camps here, each side will
stand fast that their choice (Open or Lap) is better and each has a myriad
of very convincing reasons. There is a ton of information on this in the
library as well. The trick is to trust in your surgeon enough to be
completely assured that the way they are doing your surgery is what is best
for you and leave it at that.. there are just some things where those of us
who have 'been there' aren't able to advise, I feel this is one of them.
Best of luck..
— Joscelin
March 4, 2003
My surgeon says leaks are more common in smokers, apparently they heal
slower. Lap has a near zero chance of incisional hernia, with opens you a a
big risk for hernia. EVERYONE open or lap gets at least one leak test on
the table.Most get a second test the next day.
— bob-haller
March 5, 2003
I had lap RNY and they did an endoscopy in the OR, and the flouroscopic
leak test the next morning. How is this less accurate? You are in a
normal, upright position, as you would be when eating or drinking, as
opposed to being flat on an operating table, and they look to see if any
contrast is showing when you swallow it. To me,the benefits of lap
surgery far outweighed the possibility of a leak. (Ask your surgeon about
his number of patients with post op leaks.) Mine has had very, very few.
— koogy
March 5, 2003
Open and Lap can be such a contraversy. The truth is, I can't speak for
everyone, but I believe most are happy with what they have had, because
they chose good surgeons. I've had LAP with my RNY and open with an ulcer
surgery. I'm still having problems with my open incision healing over 2
months after my ulcer surgery, but I'm a slow healer. I think that because
of technology and human advances in general, LAP will become more and more
popular with surgeons because of the healing time, etc. I think they both
have their ups and downs, but you get a leak test for both surgeries, so as
long as they check it, it's fine. Goodluck to you!
— Lezlie Y.
March 6, 2003
I have been told that there is an increased risk with lap vs. open. I had
a lap performed on 9/6/02, and was tested for a leak on the table, it came
back negative. Before they moved me onto liquids, the did another leak
test, that too came back negative. Unfortunatly, I developed a leak and
some really nasty complications. My advice is to trust your doctor, and
have faith. There is a risk of a leak with either type of surgery, it
seems to be the luck of the draw.
— JM B.
March 6, 2003
Overall leak rate is less than 2% plus theres a new glue being tried right
now. Your still sewed up but the glue is a added protection that should
reduce the leak rate futher.
— bob-haller
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