SomethingClever

I have a high BMI of 57 and almost 200 lbs to lose to be in "normal range" (but I would be thrilled to lose, say, 130). I asked on another message board about DS vs VSG. Many DSers flat out told me that I would NOT succeed with "just" a VSG based on my BMI. They made some compelling arguments and provided some studies which were also compelling, but I don't know if they can overcome my fears and worries about the DS. The Vitamin regimen is intimidating, and I don't want to be fighting to keep up Protein and vitamin levels against malabsorption for the rest of my life. But, on the other hand, I don't want to fail. This weight MUST come off me soon - I feel like a medical ticking time bomb. For those of you with a lot to lose like me - what made you decide to go with the sleeve instead of the DS? (or RNY)

Oh, wow!! What a blast from the past. I got an e-mail saying there was a response to this thread, and I had completely forgotten that I even had an account here. Cool!! OK, well, this gives me a chance to post an update. I ended up choosing the sleeve surgery, and went under the knife in December 2011. I have since lost 150 pounds, and I am very happy with my decision. Now, I am still technically obese, but my health is vastly improved and I am very happy to be where I am. I started at just over 360 pounds and I now weigh about 210 pounds. I am actually going to have a tummy tuck in a few weeks to remove a lot of hanging skin on my stomach that is giving me rashes and all kinds of grief. The surgeon said I'll be losing a lot of pounds in skin with the tuck, but I am not doing it with the goal of weight loss. I'm so glad that I choose the sleeve. Yes, if I had chosen the DS I may have gotten down into a normal BMI range - but ... you know what? I'll keep these extra 40 -50 pounds and enjoy a varied diet without any worry about malabsorption. I take daily Vitamins, but not mega doses. I know some may not see my story as a success because my BMI is still ... 32, I think? But I'm very happy and very healthy. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars... they are all perfect now. Life is good. Good luck to all of you who are contemplating your choices. There is no "perfect" weight loss surgery for everyone, but I think the sleeve is pretty close.

Thanks for posting this (and for the translation!) Too bad this study was only of 26 patients. I was very surprised that 15% of them converted to RNY due to reflux and weight loss failure. Of course, that's only 4 of them. Again, this is the problem with such a small sample size. Also these were done in Italy, and I have no idea of the surgical technique they might use there (esp. bougie size). I'm still anxiously awaiting new studies. I thought there was supposed to be a big one coming out this summer.

Thank you, everyone! Great responses! I am really trying to visualize my life 20 years from now, or (god willing) when I am elderly. Do I want to have a massive Vitamin regimen? No... For me, another concern is having to stay more strictly away from carbs as a DSer. I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian. While I can follow a reasonably low carb diet with ease, I can't do an extreme low carb diet because most of my veggie Protein sources also have some carbs (exception of eggs and cheese, but I wouldn't want eggs and cheese to be basis of my lifelong diet). I have to try to not get caught up in the evangelical DS culture. They make some great points, but some seem to have blind faith in their cause. Some are quite militant about pushing their surgery of choice. I'd rather end with a BMI of 30 and be able to take just, say, 4 Vitamins a day and eat my normal healthy vegetarian diet (just in much lower quantities) than have an end BMI of 22 and have to take 30 vitamins a day and subsist on eggs, cheese, and maybe even have to start eating meat to keep my protein levels up. Also, it seems many that have the DS see it as a bonus that they don't absorb much fat calories. That means they can enjoy lots of butter, mayo, heavy cream, etc. But to me, that isn't a bonus. I've never ever had a taste for high fat foods. So what some people may see has the best part of a DS diet, I honestly just see as .... well, "ewww." LOL!

This year I was diagnosed and treated (with surgery) for Cushing's Disease. I don't yet know for certain if I am in remission, but I am hopeful. Cushing's, for those of you that don't know, causes among other things weight gain. My BMI is now 57 thanks in part to Cushing's. My question for anyone that knows -- would a surgeon even be willing to take me on as a patient? I am very slowly losing weight right now after my pituitary surgery, but my weight is so high that I really need to get as much help in getting the weight off as possible. A BMI of 57 is obviously very dangerous. Anyone know? I don't want to waste much time persuing WLS if it isn't even a possibility for me. Thanks in advance!