I've had both. This is just my personal experience, and every case is different. Lapro. is growing in popularity because it involves minimal cutting. I ended up with 5 small incisions that healed very quickly. However, I experienced a lot of discomfort because they inflate the abdomen (or did in my case) with inert gas. It felt like a prizefighter used my ribs as a heavy punching bag for a long time. And, because of the very small incisions, everything they removed was taken out piecemeal, making post op analysis very difficult. This resulted in a major delay getting my diagnosis right. Now, my last op was old school. Incision from groin to belly button. I have an issue with the scar... I'm embarrassed by it as I see it as a constant reminder of my illness. However, the surgery itself, and my recovery, was figuratively a walk in the park. Operated on around 7:30 AM, up out of bed for my 1st post op walk 5 hours later (with the assistance of 2 nurses). I only spent 5 days in hospital, and at home I cared for myself... had to.. no one there at the time to provide any assistance. (My g/f at the time was uncomfortable around 'sick' people, and at 5' 2", 105 lbs, wasn't in any position to help 6' 3", 250 lb man up out of bed, or step into a shower, etc., anyway). All things being equal, the lap 'healed' faster but hurt longer (in my case) and prevented proper post op biopsy. The old way took longer to heal, but hurt less, and the surgeon got real 'hands on' access to my guts (he was right in there, not just looking thru a scope at a miniature image.). I don't think there is a 'right' answer to the question of lap or general surgery, just a 'better' choice dependent on personal circumstances at the time. One thing I think holds true (in my humble opinion) is that a surgical option should be considered a 'last' choice, as it is a permanent one.
