Question:
Is open roux-en-y similar to a C-section?

I have had 3 C-sections, and have a consultation with the Surgeon scheduled on July 23rd and am wondering if anyone out there has had a C-section and then had open roux-en-y surgery and can tell me if they are similar.    — dgarza (posted on July 16, 2003)

July 16, 2003
Just had to reply to this one. I had a C-section (horizontal very low) about 12 years ago. Everyone said they were similar. They couldn't have been more wrong. My C-Section was a piece of cake. The open RNY was beyond hell in comparison. The RNY is much more painful and it's harder to move around because it's vertical and they cut through your muscles. Be prepared...it is NOT easy. Don't mean to scare you - but I went in thinking it would be like my CSection thinking I'd breeze out of there. Couldn't have been more wrong.
   — ethoms

July 16, 2003
I also had 3 c-sections previous to my Open RNY. There is really no comparison. I thought the same as you that maybe they were going to be similar in pain and healing time. NO WAY. Open rny is a very tough surgery. The first few days were hell for me. Pain meds are a blessing. I would suggest a recliner for sleeping for at least the first 10 days or so. I am no baby, but it was very difficult to get comfortable in a bed. Don't let this sway you or scare you. It will hopefully just prepare you. Good luck. RNY 04/03 down 58 lbs.
   — blank first name B.

July 16, 2003
My answer is the opposite. I didn't think the Open RNY was too painful. I also have had three C-Sections. Each one was less painful than the one before. My surgeon told me that the RNY would be much more painful than a C-Section, however, I didn't think it was any more or less painful; just different. With the C-Section, the lower half of the abdomin hurts, with the Open RNY, the upper portion hurts. When I woke up after my RNY, I was aware of a bandage on my stomach area, but no pain really, more like discomfort. When I woke up from my first C-Section, I felt like a burning knife was cutting through my stomach. They are both different surgeries and have different side effects. Bottom line, you made it through the C-Sections and now know what to expect so they arn't so frightening anymore. Next year, you will know what to expect from an Open RNY and it won't seem so frightening either. Good Luck!!
   — bethjorett

July 16, 2003
I am pre-op, my surgery is on August 6th, and I am having the open RNY. I have had a C-section (vertical)and I have had a Hysteromy (sp) also, vertical, infact almost on top of the C-section. Back in 1974, when I had my baby delivered by C-section, they were doing most by a horezonal cut over the tummy, and the vertical cut was considered a (bikini cut) that was new back then. When I talked to my surgeon, he told me that the pain would be about the same, he never promised it would be the same as my other procedures. I think you have to expect, pain and discomfort, after all, you are going to have staples inside of you for your new pouch, and depending on your surgeon, staples or stiches out side of your tummy. You will have pain medications, and you just take one day at a time. If you are young it will probley be a faster healing process. But, I think that like a C-section, after a few months pass, all of the pain will be a memory.
   — cindy

July 16, 2003
I have also had 3c-sections, so I thought I knew what to expect, the pain and discomfort was higher, so it was more difficult to breath, and talk at times, but with all surgeries each are different, I also believe the more you move around the easier the next time you need to more will be
   — acluff

July 16, 2003
I had one c-section and to me it was much worse than my rny. I had very little pain with the rny and I agree with the other poster that it was more a discomfort. But had my first child been a c-section I would have never had the other three.
   — Equlla B.

July 16, 2003
I have had three sections as well and my open RNY was much easier! And my section scars are vertical as well. My RNY scar extends fron breastbone to about2 inches above belly button. All my section wounds became infected and ugly but this one healed nicely and recovery was so much easier. Wendy
   — Wendy H.

July 16, 2003
I'm going to chime in on this one...a resounding NO...Open RNY is MUCH worse pain-wise than my two c-sections ever were. And that includes the 2 hours of pushing with each one before they did performed the c-sections. Open RNY was really painful for the first two days, then i turned the corner on the third day. the incision hurts a bit more, too, but i don't know if that is because i was in my 20s when i had the c-sections and healed quicker, or just because this kind of incision is more painful. don't know, but just thought i'd give you my take on it. it's important to be well-informed so you can better deal with the pain. good luck!
   — sweetmana

July 16, 2003
Another opinion! My Open RNY was so much easier than by C-Section. I hardly used pain meds at all for the RNY. If I hadn't hurt my knee and needed pain meds for it, I probably wouldn't have used them as much as I did. I took NO pain meds after leaving the hospital.
   — Patty_Butler

July 16, 2003
I've had 2 C-sections and my open RNY was far worse than either of the sections. I thought the RNY would be a breeze after the C-sections but it is an entirely different surgery and the incision is much higher. The pain from the incision and surgery went away in a couple of weeks but I had terrible muscle soreness for weeks after. Don't mean to sound negative, but that was my experience. But it's different for everyone and I admit I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to pain! The worst was not being able to sleep in my bed for several weeks - I slept on the couch in a semi-reclined position, on my back. Hated that. Just remember that it DOES get better!
   — MomBear2Cubs

July 16, 2003
Much preferred the open RNY than the c-sections, but then I didn't have a baby to care for afterwards either :>) Could make ALL the difference in the world.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 13, 2003
I find that it was simular, I have also had 3 c sec, so I thought it would be a breeze. However, I found it to be a little worse than the sec.
   — codie strickland

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