Some doctors aren't as good with laparoscopic procedures as others which is probably the case with your surgeon. Some surgeons don't do any laparoscopic procedures at all, some do only a limited amount, and others do almost all.
The area I live in, you can get some things done laparoscopic - like a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). I've had two hernias repaired (one inguinal/one femoral) and both were open. Now if I would have gone to the Bay Area, they would have been done laparoscopically. If fact, that's the main reason I went to the Bay Area for my colectomy was so that it would be done laparoscopically. If I would have had it done in my area, it would have been open surgery.