RSM

Spoke with my surgeon yesterday about sleeve vs. bypass. After 3 minutes into the conversation, I decided on the sleeve. To many complications with bypass.

OK, so this might be more of a rant than a "help me" posting. But the food demons hit me extra hard today, around lunch time to be exact, and they steered my Jeep to my favorite Chinese buffet. Yes I know, I fully realize and I really, really honestly do understand this is the worst thing I can do especially being 2 weeks out from my 2 week pre-op diet. I have to gain the mental fortitude and strength to simply say NO, and not let my mind steer me to the places of food evil. I am writing about this in my journal, but it isn't the same as when I post it. My journal doesn't give me feedback. Now some of you will say I am simply not strong enough to have the surgery, and I am setting myself up for failure, disappointment and unnecessary heartache,,,, I understand that 100%, but my desire and need to have this surgery due to my weight combined with health issues is very strong. As I am still 2 weeks before my 2 week pre-op, I am asking for words of wisdom from experience only. Please don't go negative, if I want negative I will call my ex-wife. I would like to keep it positive here and focus on the issue at hand. Has (I am sure there is) anyone experienced what I am going through? and maybe give me a hint what you did to overcome the challenge to be strong and do the right thing? Well, here we go,,,,,,,,,,,

I am totally sorry for your moment in life right now. All I can say is, and it is not easy to find the right words for you, but if it were me, I would think what would my Uncle, my Aunt and my childhood friend want for me to do? They would want for you to be strong. Not knowing your pain, I am really hoping you can find the strength, courage and wisdom to be successful with yourself and know I am thinking about you. Be strong while you mourn, it will be hard but try and take care of your thoughts with all you have.

I have lived the past 10 years of my life hearing about "other" people having WLS, but never even entertained the thought of having it myself. I was used to my life and how I looked. I hated how I looked. It had affected my psyche, to the point of finally getting depressed. Well let me tell you, I am still very young in my head even though my age is 61, but my confidence and my inner persona was like shi*, where have I been? A year ago, I "found myself" (finally), and contacted my PCP. She put in a consult with an endocrinologist. Best thing that ever happened to me. I worked very hard mentally, did the meds, ate right (sometimes) talked to dietitians, etc. etc. I googled everything about WLS and when I went to YouTube, viola!. I saw videos of patients, success stories, failures and actual surgeons performing the procedures in an operating room. Way to cool. I want the sleeve! I am a veteran so I choose to use the Kansas City VA Hospital. To make a long story short, they are paying a private surgeon of my choice to sleeve me. I still had a few things to conquer, psychology testing, heart, lungs, blood work, blah, blah, blah. After passing all the required testing, I was given the OK, and I will never forget that feeling. My surgeon recently gave me a date (Sept. 18th), and I start my 2 week pre-op on the 4th. The adrenaline, butterfly's and fireworks are going nuts now. The closer I get the more the reality of it sets in. Everyday is better than the last, because I am one day closer to being sleeved. The reality is awesome and I feel your excitement. So much deserved congratulations to you and enjoy life to the fullest !!!!!!!! ,,,, thanks for reading my little story!

Thanks man, I really appreciate the words. I have gained a new friend and the cool part is we have our surgery's one week apart, are going to the same Dr. and of course live basically in the same town. We met on this website, and she just started her 2 week pre-op today and mine next week. So we are staying in touch and riding this journey together. It helps to have a sleeve buddy as we all are too.

Since you just had your surgery I would probably call your Dr. and go from there. That is what they are for. That is what I would do. Unless you feel more comfortable contacting your bariatric dietitian. They work for you and your success.

I am seriously thinking about switching from sleeve (which is scheduled for Sept. 18th) to a bypass. Any reasons why I should or should not. I KNOW it is an individual decision, I would just like some experienced feedback. -Thanks-

You know?, It's funny, that if I put the shoe on the other foot I probably would have said what you did to me to someone else. Funny how we don't think right about our feelings sometimes, but if we stop and think to make sense of our feelings, then they can make sense. Thanks for your words, they do help, a lot.

You know, if I could I would rip this post off this site, I would in a NY minute. I posted it to only ask about sleeve vs. bypass. It has gotten to unreal proportions as some people seem to vent their angry frustrations onto others. No more please! I appreciate all of your help and will consult with my surgeon soon to sort it all out.

OK, maybe using "curing" was the wrong word. Remission is what I should have said, in that saying if the person who has diabetes 2 sustains their life with the right eating habits combined with good exercise, then remission can and probably will occur. Which can lead one to think it can be cured,,,,,,,,,,,,,,you know what I mean. I personally don't take insulin, but I am on 2 medications for diabetes. http://www.barixclinics.com/bariatric-surgery-type-2-diabetes

My BMI is 41 and I have diabetes 2. Since diabetes is rampant in my family, I'm geared more to the bypass. My grandmother lost a leg to diabetes,,,,,,, naturally I want to keep both of mine! My understanding is the bypass can cure diabetes if you lose weight with of course sticking and staying to the plan. I am sure the sleeve has good results as well, but there is not enough long standing data as there is with the bypass. But, the meeting with my Dr. this Friday will be fruitful I am sure.

I will make the right decision (as everyone else does) with my surgeon and not by someones post. However, posts to the original subject matter is valuable to me as others experiences give me talking points to share with my surgeon. I don't know it all folks, that is why I am here. I appreciate everyone's input.

JohnnyCakes thanks for the video,,appreciated

Thanks for your inputs, I am taking some of your points of interest to my surgeon on this Friday and we will discuss in detail. Your posts have given me information I need so I have some valid points before me. I realize she is one surgeon out of MANY, but I will post on here your points with her responses.

Bypass surgery results in bypassing of the intestines which produces a malabsorptive aspect (less time for your body to absorb calories since your intestinal tract is shorter) that effectively reduces calorie consumption. Does the malabsorptive aspect also affect medications being absorbed?

Did you have bypass?

My family has a bad history of diabetes, that one will be one of my deciding factors for sure. -Thanks again-

I am just at about 100# overweight, have diabetes 2, sleep aepnea and hypertension. No gerd. -Thanks-

I watch a lot of WLS YouTube videos and have heard a number of bloggers mention "food funerals" pre-op. Did any of you have a final feast of your favorite non-friendly post-WLS foods to lay them to rest for good before surgery?

From what I understand, bypass is the gold standard for bariatric surgery. To name a few; Gastric bypass patients lose between 60 to 80 percent of excess body weight in the first year. Gastric sleeve patients lose between 50 to 70 percent of excess body weight in two years. Bypassing the intestines produces a malabsorptive aspect (less time for your body to absorb calories since your intestinal tract is shorter) that effectively reduces calorie consumption. Gastric bypass surgery has been around longer. Its results and complications have been studied and its benefits proven. Gastric bypass is more complicated, has a slightly higher overall risk profile but it does produce more weight loss. I appreciate your posts, but seriously I will setup a consult with my surgeon to determine what is best for me. Just thought I would get a head start and receive feedback from individuals who may have decided to a bypass vs. a sleeve is all. -Thanks-

My surgeon and I discussed this and she is leaving it up to me to decide.

Just wanted some feedback from someone reading this, that may have switched from sleeve to bypass is all. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I doubt follow up posts are probably going to be necessary. BTW, I do not have a gerd issue.

I have 0 issues with Gerd. I had to look it up on Google to even find out what Gerd was. Stupid me.

I found this website that has great information about sleeve vs. a bypass. This is only a guide and for information gathering only. https://www.obesitycoverage.com/gastric-bypass-vs-gastric-sleeve-surgery/