devin

Hello, my name is Devin I am a 29 year old mom of 2 beautiful girls. I have struggled with my weight my entire life and at 5'3" and 246 lbs I have decided to have RNY surgery. My appointment for my referral is next week. I just have a couple of questions and really appreciate anyone taking the time to answer them.

I noticed on this site (after reading just about every thread) that most of you have had or are having a laparascopic RNY. The only doctor in my area that takes my insurance is strictly an open RNY guy. I am just wondering if those who have had open suffered more complications than those that have lap. I understand that the wound is much bigger, but is there any other difference between the two?

My other question is....do you have to have a spinal or an epidural for the surgery. I sure hope not because I am still having spinal/muscular issues from the last one I had for my tubal ligation over 3 1/2 years ago.

Once again I thank you so much for listening and any comment is greatly appreciated.

VanessaSFL

First Welcome!
If your Dr only does Open procedure..than he or she is specialized in that procedure. This is a good thing.We want the Dr. to be good at what they do ..no matter how they do it.Same result...different looking scars.
I think I read that hernias are more common with the open procedure...don't mark my words.
I didn't have an epidural..but I think Gina in NY did...and she did fine..was doing Cheetah flips out of the recovery room.

Good luck and again, Welcome!

__________________
Van


Lap RNY March,21 2005
280/130

VPA BEAR

Native2u

Hello Devin.

I haven't had surgery, so I can't answer your questions.

I just wanted to say "hi".

__________________


Still looking for the real me & I know that I'm in there somewhere! I'm going to find her soon.

GYM RAT #106
Lap-RNY
4/23/08 ~Waiting for Insurance Approval
5/09/08 ~ Denied!!!!
5/29/08 ~ Appeal Denied! (Aetna shows NO paperwork from my doctor, so I have only been denied 1 time)
10/10/08 ~ Sent Appeal off to Aetna (waiting again).......Aetna got the paperwork 10/20/08
10/28/08 ~ Received a letter from Aetna....denied again on 10/23/08
10/28/08 ~ Hired a Bariatric Attorney

LisaBoston

My doctor at the time of my surgery had just started doing lap procedure and selects which patients he feels are good candidates. I was one of those people but opted to have the open procedure for several reasons: he can have a good look when in there and actually touch my parts, I could have surgery sooner and mostly as he was more experienced in the procedure. He does 3 RNY Open a week. Looking back I wouldn't do anything different. Things with my RNY went excellent and my scars are good too! I didn't have an epidural.

I know the scars are less with the LAP procedure, but I figured I would have a tummy tuck after and at almost 40, I wasn't going to be parading around in a bikini! ....when in fact I am wearing a 2 piece suit in public without problem now!

__________________
Lisa
aka....Canadian Bear and her Canadian Bear Cubs!
Open RNY - Jan 30, 2006
Tummy Tuck - June 4, 2007
314/152-157/180
start/now/goal
BMI 45.7/22.1-24/26.2

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Century Club - Sept 12, 2006
Overweight Club - Oct 19, 2006
One-der-land - Nov 8, 2006
Below Goal - Jan 30, 2007 - Anniversary Date!
Holding Below Goal - 2 year surgery anniversary!

devin

Thank you all so much for your replies....it is so good to know there are people out there that don't even know me, yet still care. You are right when you say my doctor must specialize in open......he does. He's been doing it for 31 years. It sure makes me feel good talking to people that have been there. Also...it sure feels good to know that I don't HAVE to have an epidural. I think if I just tell them I don't want it....they can find another way to dull the pain. I know this is not going to be easy, but with all your support I feel okay about it. Thanks again

devin

Hello....maybe we can go through this process together....nice to meet you

Jeri

I'm just beginning this process too. I will be having my first appt with the surgeon on Thursday. I've learned so much here I only have a few questions for him. This board is awesome!

__________________
Jeri
Lap RNY 10/30/2007


Height 5' 5 1/2"
HighestCurrent/Goal
278/243.6/199

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

devin

Hello, what tests did they put you through? Or have you got that far yet? I'm just wondering because I've already had a treadmill stress test, upper endoscopy and pulmonary function test. I had these tests done a couple months ago and they really had nothing to do with my weight loss surgery. In fact I hadn't even decided to have the surgery yet. Good luck with your visit with the surgeon!

Native2u

Absolutely! Friends we are. My story is posted in the "introduce yourself", near the top...if you want to read about me.

I haven't seen my primary doctor yet. But according to all of the BMI charts on different sites that I have visited, I qualify. I'm going to a seminar on Sept 6....can't wait, I wish it were tomorrow.

__________________


Still looking for the real me & I know that I'm in there somewhere! I'm going to find her soon.

GYM RAT #106
Lap-RNY
4/23/08 ~Waiting for Insurance Approval
5/09/08 ~ Denied!!!!
5/29/08 ~ Appeal Denied! (Aetna shows NO paperwork from my doctor, so I have only been denied 1 time)
10/10/08 ~ Sent Appeal off to Aetna (waiting again).......Aetna got the paperwork 10/20/08
10/28/08 ~ Received a letter from Aetna....denied again on 10/23/08
10/28/08 ~ Hired a Bariatric Attorney

Jeri

No I haven't gotten that far yet and I've never had any of those tests so I'm interested to see what I'm going to have to do. I'll ask on Thursday what hoops I'll be jumping through.

Jeri

__________________
Jeri
Lap RNY 10/30/2007


Height 5' 5 1/2"
HighestCurrent/Goal
278/243.6/199

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.