Question about Open RNY vs. Lap

[apneume]

Am running the last of the gauntlet before my gastric bypass surgery, currently scheduled for 9/4. Thursday I did my pre-admission testing, and on Friday I had my final meetings with the nutritionist, the program coordinator, and my surgeon. My surgeon kind of freaked me out, though. See, she'd wanted me to do four to six weeks of Optifast prior

Comments

[kittenmuffins]

When I was gettiing ready for surgery I only lost about 10 lbs (I was still above 400 lbs.). My surgeon went ahead and did it anyway. Honestly, I wasn't worried, I was at one of the best hospitals in the country and my surgeon is outstanding. Although my surgery took longer than normal (4 hrs. vs. 2.5 hrs.) he was still able to keep it lap. I do feel that the extra maneuvering he must've done in my abdomen contributed to my post-surgical pain, though. If you're truly worried, wait a bit until you have lost a bit more and feel more comfortable.

[apneume]

I know my hospital has state-of-the-art equipment and that my surgeon is widely believed to be the best in my state. I thought about waiting, or giving the order that if the surgery couldn't be performed laproscopically to close me up and wait, but now I'm thinking that even if it has to be converted to an Open RNY I need to just let it happen. If I let myself fester much longer I might chicken out entirely, and I know that I need this surgery to improve my health and overall quality of life.

Thanks for sharing your experience with me. :)

[apneume]

I've been eating low carb with greatly reduced portions since I got off the Optifast, so I hope that I've got a bit of a start with the liver shrinkage. I'm now off all grains and vegetables and sticking to lean protein, eggs, low-fat cheese, and some mayo (mostly with tuna fish). I'm exploring some low-carb shake options, but a nurse in my office vetoed the one I was going to use because it has sugar alcohols in it and she says they'll have the same effect as carbs, even though they doesn't raise blood sugar.

Thanks for the advice!

[thesugarmonster]

I weighed 550 the day of my surgery, I didn't lose a pound beforehand because I suck and didn't do the liquid diet because, emotionally, I was such a wreck I couldn't handle not having food as comfort. They planned it to be lap and it was lap. My surgeon believes that any surgeon who claims that lap can't be done on larger patients doesn't have the skill to be operating. He's kind of cocky but damn good so I'm all for it. =) They had to insert an extra hole in me and it took hours longer than most but it happened.

Frankly, I had every single fear you did and more. I think people who AREN'T worried don't really grasp that this IS major surgery.

[apneume]

Thank you for this. I know my surgeon is skilled and I'm guessing she was just telling me about the chance of an open surgery to cover all of her bases. It's still comforting to know that others have gone through this and come out okay. :)

[noiredemons]

I had open DS 4 years ago. Yes it's a major scar, you're on the table longer and a lot longer recovery but I'd rather have my surgeon be able to see everything and get things done. I never regretted having it done open. At the time my surgeon wasn't even doing lap-Ds just lap-rny. I weighed 444. Open isn't scary its just longer and more healing time. I healed in about 4 weeks. It was painful but not that bad. I have picutre of my scar and what not if you'd like to see them.

[apneume]

I think I'm afraid of the pain and longer recovery time. I'm bad with pain/itching, and I have a very hyper 12 lb. schnoodle that jumps on me a lot. I'm already sending him away for my first week of recovery, afraid that he'll pop my stitches. If I have a longer incision, I don't know when I'll be able to safely let him come home. It sounds like a stupid concern, but my fiance and I treat the dog like our fur child.

Still, good to hear everyone's stories about safety and such.

[omcintyre]

I'm not having RNY, but a DS, but my surgeon only does DS's open. I could've had it done lap with another surgeon with as much skill as my surgeon, but I prefer my surgeon, and I respect his reasons for only doing open DS's. He does tons of RNY's - nearly all of them lap. But he's very clear that if complications arise he'll convert to open. He's done lap on patients over 600lbs. Really time and skill are the issues here. If your surgeon isn't as skilled or doesn't want to take the extra time, then it'll be converted. Because lap procedures on larger patients take longer.. there's more manipulation and it's just harder. Having a procedure converted to open isn't that big of a deal provided it's not because of a surgical complication. Personally I'd prefer to have a known open procedure to having a complication and then having a lap procedure converted to open. But that's me

[apneume]

I know my surgeon is considered the best in the state. I think she was warning me about the risk of converting to an open procedure in the name of full disclosure, because they do prefer to do the procedure laproscopically. Her reasons for converting would be if the instruments couldn't reach properly or if my liver was crowding things - not time

[rose_amethyst]

We all have eating issues and they don't go away with the weight. Relax- don't panic when somebody says something difficult to hear. I try to remember that that person REALLY is in my boat and understands atleast some of it.

I drink alot of liquid. Every 2 hours a water bottle and a South Beach Diet Protein Bar or a Slimfast or a Whey protein drink (I use a bottle of water and add 1-2 scoops of powder - Walmart has a decent one that is $13 for a big big jug- and I add flavor: Kellogs or SBD protein drink is a safe choice). I am nuts: I carry a little cooler with 6 botles of water or concoction with me.

Try walking just to the corner before bed every night. When that feels ridiculous, add another block.

Good luck. We are all on this journey- I am thankful to have the WLS knowledge with me.

HUGS

[apneume]

Relax- don't panic when somebody says something difficult to hear. I try to remember that that person REALLY is in my boat and understands atleast some of it.

I think I was hypersensitive because I do feel like I've been doing everything I can to prepare for surgery and came up against a lot of unexpected obstacles - like not being able to tolerate the Optifast. When the surgeon looked at me all disappointed-like, it hurt. I'm the classic people-pleasing "good girl," so when I feel like I've failed in some way I take it *hard.* More fodder for the therapist, obviously. :)

And actually, I got weighed at the docs again today and I've dropped another three pounds since Friday, which made me happy. AND they're reducing my diabetes meds starting now and then again when I start clear liquids pre-surgery. The most important part is that there's visible shrinkage in my abdomen area, which is I think where I'm supposed to be trying to shrink the most, right?

Thanks for the water/snack tips and stuff. :)