RYN or Sleeve

shyone · February 12, 2010

:001_smile:Just wondering some advise. I am going to have my surgery in April and I think I have decided on the sleeve but I was wondering if people thought the RNY was better. I want to loose 160lbs. Any advise? Feelings to make me feel better about my decision?

oakley · February 12, 2010

I'd have to say you are going to get sleeve votes here! lol

Tiffykins · February 12, 2010

No one can really tell you which surgery is best for you, but I can tell you why I chose the Sleeve over RNY for my revision, and that may help. I had 115-125lbs to lose, and knew the sleeve would get me to goal.

1) RNY leaves a blind stomach that can not ever be scoped, and can still get cancer and ulcers

2) Malabsorption only lasts 18-24 months (the body adjusts and the intestines grow new villi that will start absorbing all the calories but none of the vitamins)

3) Sleeve offers little to no nutritional and Vitamin deficiencies vs. RNY where you have to be very dilligent with vitamins/supplements and your labwork

4) Pouches and stomas stretch which leads to regain. Check out the revision forum on obesityhelp.com at all the RNY patients that are seeking a revision because of the large amount of weight regain 4-8 years post-op

5) Sleeve stretching is minimal

6) No rerouting of intestines with the sleeve, and a normal fully functioning stomach. The stomach is just smaller

7)No food restrictions. No dumping if I wanted to have something sweet occasionally

8) I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. I knew life would suck with an RNY pouch.

Those are the main reasons why I chose the sleeve over RNY when I decided to revise from the band.

Everyone has to look at their lifestyle, and their relationship with food. They have to consider what procedure will help get to their goal weight with the least consequences. I was a volume eater with zero co-morbidities. I didn't make a horrible food choices, I didn't snack a lot, I just loved food, and needed restriction/portion control. The regain stats absolutely scared me from getting RNY. I know several people in real life that had RNY a few years ago, only 1 has kept her weight off, the others never got to goal, or they've gained weight back. I did tons of research before I chose the sleeve. I didn't make the decision lightly, and knew that I would have to work whichever tool I chose. Any of the surgeries can be cheated even RNY and DS. You can sabotage your surgery regardless of which procedure you choose. The sleeve got me to goal in less than 7 months. I'm elated with my results, and my quality of life with the sleeve. I can eat anything and everything I want just in smaller portions. I can treat myself occasionally without feeling guilty, and without any negative effects from my surgery choice. I don't think RNY will be the "Gold Standard" of weightloss once the sleeve results get out there and are more publicized.

NOPATIENCE · February 12, 2010

Thanks, Tiffykins, you once again helped me in my decision to go with VSG. When I started this process almost a year ago (Kaiser makes you jump thru hoops which isn't necessarily bad), I was going with the RNY as Kaiser did not offer the VSG at that time. They now do offer it and I spent many a night awake trying to figure out which way I wanted to go, but I eventually decided to go with the VSG. I'm still waiting for my surgery date, and I still question myself sometime, but after reading these posts (especially yours as they are always well thought out and specific) I know the VSG is the way to go. YEAH!!

P.S. I have 80 lbs. to loose.

Tiffykins · February 12, 2010

Thanks, Tiffykins, you once again helped me in my decision to go with VSG. When I started this process almost a year ago (Kaiser makes you jump thru hoops which isn't necessarily bad), I was going with the RNY as Kaiser did not offer the VSG at that time. They now do offer it and I spent many a night awake trying to figure out which way I wanted to go, but I eventually decided to go with the VSG. I'm still waiting for my surgery date, and I still question myself sometime, but after reading these posts (especially yours as they are always well thought out and specific) I know the VSG is the way to go. YEAH!!

P.S. I have 80 lbs. to loose.

Glad my post makes sense ! ! ! You'll shed those 80 pounds, and the sleeve will make it easier for you to reach that goal.

johan22 · February 12, 2010

if the sleeve wont work,you can still do a duodenum switch which is the 2nd stage after the sleeve......but i'm sure you will be just fine without it.

shyone · February 12, 2010

Thank you tiffykins for the information and the boost I needed to stay with my decision of having the sleeve. My surgery isn't until April but the more I read the more doubts I had about my choice. Then I found this site. It is wonderful!! The people have great advise. Thank you again. I will keep you posted....