HarleyGirl4

Hello everyone! I am currently scheduled for surgery on the 19th of November. My surgeon stated that he just needs to know which surgery I want to have before he makes the incision. So, I have a week and half to decide. His opinion is that because the sleeve is newer, there just isn't as much data as there is for the RNY to know the long term success rates. He would prefer the RNY as he states that, in his experience, he sees faster and more weight loss from the RNY vs. the sleeve. But he also admitted he doesn't have as much long term data on the sleeve as he does on the RNY. He also stated that the risk of leakage is higher in the sleeve. The place I am doing this with is considered a Center of Excellence and the team of doctors there has been doing these surgeries for ten years, so I do not doubt his opinion. I doubt my own. I am trying to figure out which of the two surgeries would be best for me. I would like to hear from anyone that had to make this decision and what were the deciding factors for you? For me thus far, I am leaning towards the sleeve. My thoughts are 1.) Less chance of "dumping" syndrome 2.) Less chance of Vitamin deficiencies 3.) If it doesn't work, bypass or DS can be performed at a later time, even if it's at my own expense. I would be anxious to hear anyone's thoughts on this subject and appreciate any input at all. Also, please note that I am not having surgery to reverse any type of secondary morbidity disease like diabetes. My cholesterol is slightly elevated and I have sleep apnea. I know both of those will go away with either surgery.

Hello everyone, Just wanted to check in with you and let you all know that I am now 2 weeks post op and I did choose to go with the sleeve. (I kind of threw the doctor's office into a tail spin with my last minute change of plans. They had to get a new authorization from my insurance company and squeeze me in for an upper GI in less than 7 days but we got it done.) It was absolutely the right decision for me vs. the bypass. I am getting used to a new lifestyle and ready to go back to work on Monday. I haven't had any complications thus far and am really happy with my choice. Still on full liquid diet for another week before I go to pureed diet for 4 weeks. Down 18 lbs and ready to be healthy once and for all. Thank you all again for your insight. I really appreciate it.

Thank you everyone for your input. Although my doctor was pretty confident that my insurance covers both sleeve and RNY, I called the doctors office today to verify that my insurance will cover the sleeve. The lady that handles insurance is out but when she gets back on Monday, if she calls and says yes, I believe that I am going to opt for the sleeve. Thank you all so much for your insight!

auntiemel, Your thinking goes along with mine as well. I am not hearing a whole lot of negatives about the sleeve at this point. And this discussion has helped me make up my mind. Thanks for the input!

So for those that have had the sleeve done already, would you please speak to your expierence with any complications? What were they are how were they resolved?

nikki9, Yes, I am in the same boat. My BMI is just under the qualifying amount for surgery and only because of the other two diagnoses of sleep apnea and high cholesterol was I approved. My surgeon doesn't even have me doing the pre-op diet. He just asked that I not gain 20 pounds in the next week and half. I also considered the fact that I would be restricted to certain pain medication for the rest of my life and at 38, I don't want to have to fight that battle plus all of the other lifelong restrictions that go along with RNY. I would like to lose 85 pounds and I feel like I can do that with the sleeve. cynthiarm2000, The lifelong complications are exactly what I want to avoid. I am finding that there are way less of those with the sleeve than with the RNY. Thank you for those stats. I am curious to your answer to MisforMimi question though as well. MisforMimi, Thank you for your feedback. To answer some of your questions, I am 38 and my secondary morbidity diagnoses are sleep apnea and high cholesterol, both of which will go away with either surgery. I have been in the pre-op, non-surgical weight loss plan for over a year now and if I don't do the surgery now, it will be after the first of the year. My deductible is met for the year so my out of pocket expense is very low to keep my date as it is. I have known for months that I will be having surgery; it's just recently that I started to question which one. I really like your idea of going to a post op surgery support group prior to surgery and I will look into that. I will also be sure to ask my surgeon which type of stitching he does. Your thought process for you makes sense for your choice. I appreciate that we are all in the same boat of trying to save our lives in one way or another. Good luck to you!

bikrchk, Thank you for the response. When I spoke with the surgeon, he was just more concerned about the higher chance of leakage because there are so many more staples but the way I see it, it is a risk either way. He has done several of both surgeries and he just feels overall that the weight loss numbers are greater with RNY. From what I have found online, the numbers are greater for RNY at first, but the long term weight loss is about the same 2-5 years post op. The sleeve is just more "slow and steady". Or do I have the wrong? I guess my biggest reservation against the sleeve is that, from what I can see, due to less restriction, there is less accountability. In other words, with RNY, I see the mentality as "If I eat this, the consequence is xyz.” With the sleeve, I haven't been seeing people post about getting sick if they ate too much or the wrong thing. Or am I wrong on this fact? I am the type of person that needs that "consequence mentality" and I am afraid that the sleeve just won't be enough for me. That is where I am struggling as of today.

jjinWA, Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your input is helpful.