Open Surgery

[kmiller 146]

Did anyone have an open surgery as opposed to laparoscopic? Mine is going to be open, and I just wanted to know if anyone could give me some tips on what to expect?

[Panda 354]

I didnt even know that they still did them that way...is there a particular reason y?

[Tor 11]

You are obviously one of the people who are not suited to laparoscopic surgery and it will be done via a normal 'open' incision in these circumstances. If this happens, you will take a little longer to recover from the bigger incision, but it should not adversely affect your subsequent weight loss progress. You might have to be off work a bit longer. I don't think it makes too much difference but you will need to be a little bit for careful to avoid infection e.g. taking a shower may not be allowed for longer after the op. So essentially a little more unpleasant but hey that weight loss potential is the same, so good luck :-)

[kmiller 146]

Hi Panda.

The reason my surgery will be open is this. About 20 years ago, I had a "gastroplasty". Basically they fired 3 rows of staples into my stomach, pus a ring in at the bottom and I was supposed to lose weight. I did in fact lose. But as my current surgeon explained, the stomach tries to heal itself. It basically realized that there was something foreign there and began popping those staples lose. That surgery was done open, and so the dr. Figures it would be easier to open me up then try to work around the adhesions. I'm extremely scared. I'm almost 58 years old and have type 2 diabetes. I'm 5'5 and weigh 275. It seems like I'm eating everything I can think of now, knowing full well I won'tbe able to eat these things later. Do you think anyone else is doing this, too? My surgery date is May 1

[Tor 11]

Yep sure everyone goes through the eat all you can before the pre-op diet phase. I overcame that by starting a food diary which is like a build up to the op. We have now entered April so you are 1 month from op, I started that reduction down to the pre-op diet. I gave myself some treats knowing they would be the last for a long time. However I knew that if I didn't reduce then the pre-op diet would be hell, perhaps impossible and without that pre-op diet my surgery would be delayed. So record your food, honestly, and try to work towards that pre-op goal, enjoying your last couple of weeks but thinking of that extra 2 weeks as prep for the pre-op diet or you will have an impossible time. I am now in the pre-op diet and like all of us you will find the strength to endure will come because we all want that op to be easy and sucessful, good luck.

[Panda 354]

Hi Panda.

The reason my surgery will be open is this. About 20 years ago' date=' I had a "gastroplasty". Basically they fired 3 rows of staples into my stomach, pus a ring in at the bottom and I was supposed to lose weight. I did in fact lose. But as my current surgeon explained, the stomach tries to heal itself. It basically realized that there was something foreign there and began popping those staples lose. That surgery was done open, and so the dr. Figures it would be easier to open me up then try to work around the adhesions. I'm extremely scared. I'm almost 58 years old and have type 2 diabetes. I'm 5'5 and weigh 275. It seems like I'm eating everything I can think of now, knowing full well I won'tbe able to eat these things later. Do you think anyone else is doing this, too? My surgery date is May 1[/quote']

Yes i ate a wide variety of foods up until the day befire surgery. I didnt have to do a pre-op diet so i had a really nice sirloin steak as the lasr supper so to speak... although i did eat like a queen my bariatric nurse told me not to eat every meal as if it were my last....but i most definately ate some foods that I knew would be a long time before I would eat again! Lol....

And if your Dr. thinks its easier this way then it probably is....dont be too nervous because in a sense you've been throuh it before ...i wish you the best of luck

[CocoHuny 0]

I had open surgery. Surgery was Tuesday and I was home on Thursday. Went back to work two weeks later. I couldn't drive myself but it was nice getting chauffeured.

The only discomfort with the open was the staples along the incision. My scar has also healed well.

[kmiller 146]

I had open surgery. Surgery was Tuesday and I was home on Thursday. Went back to work two weeks later. I couldn't drive myself but it was nice getting chauffeured.

The only discomfort with the open was the staples along the incision. My scar has also healed well.

I am so super glad to hear this! Do you mind if I ask if you're anywhere near my age? I'm 57. You look young to me. With diabetes and being at 280, I worry.

[CocoHuny 0]

I had surgery about 7 years ago. I am 42 two now.

[CocoHuny 0]

Btw, I was close to 500 lbs per surgery.