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Open gastric bypass?

mizzmegan

By mizzmegan, in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

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mizzmegan    6

mizzmegan
Posted

Hi i am having gastric bypass on January 13th. I have researched everything i possibly could about this surgery but im having a hard time finding information about recovery time or experiences with having the surgery performed open rather than laparascopic. Has anyone had open surgery here and can you tell me about the pain, recovery time, ect.? Thanks in advance.

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Djmohr    6,965

Djmohr
Posted

I have not but I am very curious about why they are performing an open bypass?

I do understand if you don't want to share.

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mizzmegan    6

mizzmegan
Posted

My surgeon prefers to perform the surgeries this way because he has better control of the size of my pouch. I was a bit taken back when i first saw him and he told me this but as i have grown to know him, i have come to trust his opinion. He will also be removing my gallbladder and appendix (if reachable) at the same time.

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WannabeH    114

WannabeH
Posted (edited)

mizzmegan I haven't had surgery yet (it's Jan 14) , but mine will sort of be open. It's called mini open surgery.

At one stage I thought I was having a Mini Bypass/Omega Loop due to my surgeon using the word "Mini", but I am definitely having Roux-en-Y.

My surgeon advised the incision will be approx 10 cm long about the length of my palm.

He said he expects the surgery to take approx 45 mins, so it means less time under anaesthesia and a quicker recovery, if all goes well.

I also have had 2 Cesareans, and those incisions were approx 10cm and I healed very quickly with both those of those ops.

Edited by WannabeH

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mizzmegan    6

mizzmegan
Posted

@@WannabeH thank you. I have had one c section as well and i am hoping that the recovery os close to the same. The difference is that this incision will be vertical and longer. Im very nervous. Good luck with your surgery! I will be in for surgery the day before ????????????

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2006RNYhere    14

2006RNYhere
Posted

I hope i can help. I had open rny. My surgeon also removed my gallbladder and i had a adrenal gland tumor and open allowed them to fully look around in there.

As for recovery time it can range from 6 weeks to 12 weeks and pain control is probably needed but it depends on your personal needs. I tried to be off of pain meds within a week. I just don't like to take pain meds.

An abdominal binder was a godsend for me it just felt like i was kept together and secure. I wore it for 4 months out of security. It was put on me before i even woke up from surgery. U will walk pretty immediately so you don't get blood clots. I was on blood thinners also.

As for the scar it doesnt bother me very much. I never really measured how long mine is. Probably about 11 inches. Let me know i can show you a picture if you want.

Hey. If they don't use a binder keep a pillow around in case you need to laugh, sneeze or cough and hold it to your tummy.

I do notice that i didn't seem to transition into eating as fast as the laparoscopic patients but i think it is because of the extra healing i was not worrying about eating. I just worried about getting in my fluids, Proteins and my Vitamins.

Good luck to you.

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mizzmegan    6

mizzmegan
Posted

@@2006RNYhere thank you so much for your response. This is exactly what i i was hoping to see. Im having to go back to work at 2 weeks out, do you think that is unreasonable? And also where did you get the abdominal binder?

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2006RNYhere    14

2006RNYhere
Posted

It depends on what kind of work you do. Personally i would try to take a little longer if you can. But at about 2 weeks i felt capable of doing everything minus extra bending and don't lift !

The binder was on me when i came out of surgery. You can buy them also at a home medical supply store.

Also i wanted to mention you might have some serious swelling afterwards for a couple days. So dont freak about weight gain. It will come off.

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mizzmegan    6

mizzmegan
Posted

Oh wow, tell me about the "rough".

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Well the pain was very intense. I planned on going back to work after 3 weeks but i was out for 6 weeks because of pain and fatigue. I used pain meds for 2 months. A lot longer than most i have heard of. I ended up having a dehisence of my wound which means that my wound opened back up at the top and bottom and that took about 10 weeks to completely heal. My scar is not pretty but compared to my body before at 303 pounds i am pleased. Lol.

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

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      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

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      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
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      1. Phil Penn

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        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

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    • Doughgurl

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      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
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      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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