ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum - View Single Post

Dyann · 09-08-2007, 01:08 PM

Becca,

I am going to take off my patient hat and put on my surgeons hat. I may offend some who have had the open procedure but here are the real issues.

1. Your surgeon only does open as that is all he knows how to do...end of story. All of the stories about being able to feel things and "to get a good look" is BS. A laparoscope give much better visualization of the pelvis and the corners of the abdomen then the open incision.

2. There are reasons to do open that are patient directed and already mentioned (tool limitations, numerous previous surgeries etc.) If you fall into that category, then you want the one who has more experience with the open procedure.

Now a days, the only reason to do the open is if you don't have a surgeon with high success with the lap RNY at your access. Being near Maryland/DC area, you must have a ton to choose from.

Lap has a lower complication rate (*****if the surgeon is out of their learning Curve*******), faster recovery, and is the exact same surgery inside.

Debz....I am sorry you are going through the hematoma pain near the diaphragm, but that can happen with either approach. Bleeding and collections are part of surgery, lap or open. Yours may have originated from a trochar site, but it can equally as easily happen from the open incision site.

Zen is right about beware of titles. Busy surgeons don't have time to be the chief. I am not saying this as a blanket statement, but my chief of surgery when I was a junior resident was the worst at the university. Have you ever heard the statement, "those who can't do, teach". I am not saying that applies to him, but just don't be seduced by a title.

Bottom line is, if you are electing to have an open procedure, your surgeon needs to be proficient in his craft with a complication rate that is as low as or better than the accomplished laparoscopist. You also need to be comfortable with your decisions. Sometimes bad things happen for no reason with either procedure. We have all seen that here.