Lap vs. Open... - ThinnerTimes

kparker5 · 11-09-2006, 05:44 PM

I know this is all a total matter of opinion...but, I have a friend who had Lap over 2years ago. She knows I am close to surgery and she says she will forever swear by the fact that people lose more weight open vs. lap. Everyone I know who had open has ultimately loss more than the people I know who had lap. Does anyone have opinion OR fact about this mini-debate.

PS...I had planned open all along because I feel better knowing they can see every lil' thang.

Karlie

2Bhealthy · 11-09-2006, 06:27 PM

It makes no difference at all as far as weight loss goes. The changing of the anatomy is the same, its just a matter of how they get in there.

There are some benefits to lap such as less chance of incisional infections and very importantly no chance of incisional hernias, which can be as high as 30% with open. These can require further surgery, no fun.

Anyway if someone is a candidate for laproscopic and have an exprienced surgeon, I think it's the way to go. But as you mentioned, they can"look around" in there with open, and its the next best thing.

Either way, if you are commited to changing your lifestyle, you should be successful.

Best of luck in your journey!

Gina in NY · 11-09-2006, 07:39 PM

The surgery is the same, just the method is different. Your pouch would be the same, bypass the same - how could the weight loss be different? If making incisions helped you lose weight, I'd have a tic tac toe board across my belly!

I had open - I did really well and have a 5 inch incision - wouldn't change a thing but my surgeon is brilliant. My weight loss is slower than some, but steady but I have NEVER heard that there is any difference post-op.

NewMel06 · 11-09-2006, 07:58 PM

That is something I have never heard either. If the people you or your friend know have lost more with open, I would say it is just coincidence? I'm not a doc, but don't see how there could be a difference. I had lap, have lost 105 pounds in a matter of six months. I would say what really makes a difference is determination and exercise. Even with those things, the progress can be slower for some, it's all individual.

lealphachienne · 11-09-2006, 09:33 PM

Hmmmm....I was lap and lost 115 lbs and have maintained now for over 2 years......

Dyann · 11-10-2006, 05:43 AM

Lap vs open...the only difference is the method of entry....the procedure is the same. Looking casually at the differences you have seen could be accounted for by sometimes doctors aren't as comfortable doing it lap on super morbid obese and they have the open. Well...they have more weight to lose, so they lose more. Overall...it is more about what you do than which incision you have. Personally...Lap is a much quicker recovery time, fewer complications if the surgeon is experienced. You see better with the camera into the pelvis than you would open. My 2 cents.

LisaBoston · 11-10-2006, 06:21 AM

I had open and would not say my weight loss is any different than anyone elses. I couldn't exercise as early as some as I was healing, but there is no difference except the scars. I would not have changed anything in my surgery - NOTHING.

kparker5 · 11-10-2006, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the insight

contemplating1 · 02-01-2007, 06:54 PM

maybe the confusion is that your friend is comparing Lap Band surgery against gastric by pass surgery that is done laproscopically???

LindseyC · 02-01-2007, 07:06 PM

I believe the only different lap vs. open is like everyone said the way it is done. Sometimes the pouch is smaller of the lap patients than the open ones. I prefer lap because I hardly have any scarring (I am only 14 weeks out) and the recovery time was quicker. I guess it all depends on the person and their decision though.