Curious Questions
I’ve been considering having WLS for several
months and I’ve finally scheduled a consultation with my
doctor for next Wednesday. I’m curious about the scar
that extends from the lower breastbone to the navel
from the open procedures. How long does the pain from
this scar remain, and is there anything available to
make the scar less noticeable? Also, is the lap
procedure for the same surgery as beneficial as the open
procedure? I’m referring to all WLS procedures that can be
performed either open or lap. Thanks for your response.
February 7th, 2004 at 6:34 am
The LAP and OPEN procedures are the same on the
inside. It’s how they GET IN that is different. I had the
LAP done and I have 3 1 in. scars, one 1/2 inch scar
and a 2 inch scar where they had the drain. They also
use your belly button, but there is no scar. At
almost 8 weeks post-op, my scars are purpley-red and not
raised anymore. There are no staples, they just keep
them together with steri-strips that eventually just
fall off.<br>LAP also has a shorter recovery rate. You
feel like you’ve done a million situps for about 2
weeks, but the soreness goes away. There IS pain just
after surgery, but my doctor doesn’t even give
morphine. I got shots of something much easier on the body,
but it took the edge off. I would have been in the
hospital for 3 days, but I ran a fever, so it was 4. When
I got home, I only used the Tylenol w/codeine 3x
and it was 1 tspoon at a time just to get me to sleep
(reg. dose was 3 tspoons at a time). <br><br>The pain
is different and the openings are different, but
from what I can see, the inside procedure is the
same.<br><br>~Angela<br>LAP RNY 6/5/00<br>Pre-Op~ 296<br>Post-Op~
243<br>Woohoo!<br>Lost 2 dress sizes and a SHOE size!
February 8th, 2004 at 3:57 am
Hi,<br><br>In my opinion and my doctors opinion,
he has been doing this surgery for 15 years, there
is a big difference between the lap and open
surgery. First and foremost you don’t see with your own
eyes, so to speak, you are looking through a scope. If
there are any complications during surgery they will
have to open you up anyway. There are more chances of
leaks and they do not use the ring which is also very
helpful. <br><br>Now as far as the scar, which would you
rather have, excess fat for the rest of your life or a
scar that will eventually go away. <br><br>If you have
any questions you may go to my doctors website it has
lots of information.
<br><br>www.surgeryforobesity.com<br><br>also, you can call them and they are
very helpful over
the phone<br><br>954-566-9339<br><br>If I can help
anymore please write.<br><br>Phyliss
February 8th, 2004 at 7:59 pm
hi, i had an open rny almost 5 weeks ago. my incision ends about 4" above my
navel. i have had very little pain from the incision. it has completely healed
now.
February 9th, 2004 at 10:43 pm
Hi. Is the first time that some one mention shoes
size,today my dr send my papers to the insurance co. so i
think i going to star counting days ,i going to have
lap vbg,i wonder if i going back to my regular shoes
size 7 now 9 at 297 thank you abarosie
February 10th, 2004 at 4:04 am
Dear Abarosie: Yes, when you lose weight…you
will lose weight all over. My shoe size went from a
tight size 9 down to my original size 8. My ring size
has gone from a tight size 8 to a size 4-1/2. I could
go on and on….but YES, your shoe size will
definitely change.<br><br>Helen (Surgery 8-14-1997)