Question:
How long does a Lap RNY usually take? I have a low bmi.
My surgeon told me that the LapRNY he will be performing will probably last for 6 hours. I didn't think I would be out for THAT long. What have others experienced? — Nancy L. (posted on November 10, 2001)
November 10, 2001
My lap RNY (I also had a low BMI) took 1 hour an 15 minutes, and included
the repair of an umbilical hernia and a huge hiatal hernia. I can't imagine
why it would take so long, maybe he is a less experienced surgeon.
— blank first name B.
November 10, 2001
Please ask your surgeon why it should take that long and how many laps he
has done and how many laps he has assisted and how many opens he has done.
Maybe there was a misunderstanding. I consulted one surgeon that does open
or lap or band. He said the FIRST time he did a lap rny it took all day.
Now he says usually one and a half or 2 hrs. Has yor surgeon done lap
surgery in general and is now starting rny practice? I picked a surgeon
that is fairly new but enjoys a great reputation - open AND laps. I
believe laps are definately the way to go--the surgeon CAN SEE BETTER, less
chance of hernia AND infection and less painful for you and faster recovery
- is much kinder to the body. Good luck.
— charlene M.
November 10, 2001
I had my Lap Rouxeny on 8/16/01. My surgeon expected it to talk anywhere
from 3-4 hours. It took 3 1/2 hours for me. He does Lap surgery all the
time and is a very qualified and experienced surgeon. You should check out
the doc and his yrs. experience. You really want to make sure you are in
good and qualified hands during this surgery! GOOD LUCK
— Melissa S.
November 10, 2001
Four of us in my family have now had lap RNY surgery. The operating times
have ranged from 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. My surgery was the
longest at 1 hr. 10 minutes because I had a great deal of scar tissue from
a previous "traditional" gallbladder surgery. Experience and
expertise on the part of the surgeon are absolutely everything in
laparascopic surgery. A surgeon who expects to take longer than 2-3 hours
for an "uncomplicated" lap RNY may be a great surgeon in general,
but clearly is less experienced in laparascopic surgery than I would want.
As a critical care RN, my personal opinion is that the length of time one
is under general anesthesia is much more of an issue than the actual
"cutting and stitching" that is going on. Most people never stop
to consider that the person with your life in his hands is not necessarily
the surgeon, but the anesthesiologist at the head of the table. Operating
times DO count....look for a surgeon with adequate experience in the field.
Although lap surgery offers faster recovery, less pain, BETTER
visualization of the surgical area, and less chance of infection and wound
complications... if you are unable to locate a surgeon with expertise in
that field, than your best option would be an open surgery with an
experienced bariatric surgeon who can get it, do the work, and get out in a
reasonable period of time. Good luck!
— Diana T.
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