When the surgeon feels that it is safest to convert the laparoscopic procedure to an open one, this is not a complication. It is sound surgical judgement. The decision to perform the open procedure is a judgment decision made by your surgeon either before or during the actual operation. The decision to convert to an open procedure is strictly based on patient safety. Long-term side effects to this procedure are generally uncommon.
Some patients develop temporary difficulty swallowing immediately after the operation.
This usually resolves within one to three months after surgery. The ability to belch and or vomit may be limited following this procedure. Some patients complain of stomach bloating. Rarely, some patients report no improvement in their symptoms. Some diagnostic tests may be necessary.