Change Your Life! - UT Medicine Medical-Surgical Weight Loss Center, San Antonio, Texas

In some patients, the laparoscopic or minimally invasive approach to surgery cannot be used. Here are reasons why you may have an open procedure, or that may lead your surgeon to switch during the procedure from laparoscopic to open:

Prior abdominal surgery that has caused dense scar tissue

Inability to see organs

Bleeding problems during the operation

The decision to perform the open procedure is a judgment call made by your surgeon either before or during the actual operation and is based on patient safety. It is important to understand that the operation performed is the same whether it is done as an open procedure or done laparoscopically. The only difference is the types of instruments used and the length of the incision(s).