why did you choose the sleeve?

[KKB 0]

Hi, I am so confused with which surgery to go with. I have read so many things about both bypass & the sleeve that I'm totally torn. My Dr. first suggested bypass, but said I could do either one. I'm just curious what made you choose the sleeve over bypass?:scared0: Thank you for your help!!!!

[Donna4545 13]

Bypass means more invasive surgery and lifetime malnutrition/supplements. Gastric sleeve is a simple surgery--they just make your stomach radically smaller, and remove the part that causes the hunger hormone.

[pumpkin07 32]

Wow Donna. What a simple answer!

I agree, and also looked at happiness over time. I found so many happy sleevesters. I also found some sicklier bypass friends.

I was self pay, 47 years old, and about 220 lbs. And short. Hypothyroid. Doctor said definitely he'd recommend the sleeve b/c he found that people in my age group/weight range had plenty of success with the sleeve and a high satisfaction from the procedure. He felt the bypass would be too much for me - more than what was needed. I agreed.

Another friend of mine, heavier by about 80 lbs (but taller) - she is a little older. Maybe 10 years I'm not certain. And her doctor, who is a great doctor here in Houston, really recommended the bypass for her. I wasn't sure why he did that, but wondered if it is because her insurance wouldn't cover the sleeve, because it wouldn't. She questioned it a lot, and he basically told her she'd be fine with the bypass. Her family doctor agreed. And she has been fine so far about 3 mos out.

But years out a lot of bypass patients do have problems absorbing the right nutrients. I saw a lot of evidence of it on line.

Maybe get some doctors opinions and check with your insurance. But if you are self pay, shoot, I'd definitely go for the sleeve. It is simpler even though it is risky.

But with either surgery the doctor, which doctor, is paramount. These are all very dangerous procedures. You can post the doctor's name and people will give you feedback. Find someone great. If you come to Houston I can give you referrals - I know you are in Texas but not sure where that town is. But if you look around on this site you'll find out who the preferred doctors are.

[Tiffykins 673]

I can give you the reason why I fought to have VSG instead of RNY for my revision.

1) regain stats for RNY are just scary

2) # of RNY patients seeking revisions to DS or ERNY because the malabsorption of calories/fat only lasts 2 years, BUT, the malabsorption of nutrients and Vitamins last a lifetime. Not really a fair trade off in my opinion

3) I didn't want to self punish myself if I wanted a cookie. I mean come on that's pretty evil to induce dumping syndrome. Skinny bitches have a cookie or two here and there. Plus, dumping only occurs in 30% of RNY patients, no guarantee it'd keep me out of the cookie jar.

4) I didn't want a blind stomach that can still develop cancer and ulcers yet is difficult to access for scopes, and nearly impossible to diagnose because of the complicated staple line.

5) The pouch caused by the RNY and band are pretty much the same. My body hated the pouch with my band. I knew it would be the same with RNY. It's not natural, I love having a normal, fully functioning tummy. NO pouch, NO stoma with VSG.

6) No Vitamin, nutrient deficiencies with VSG caused by malabsorption.

7) Long term complications with RNY were too numerous for me to even consider a malabsorptive procedure

8) Gastrectomies have been performed for decades upon decades for stomach cancer and ulcerative conditions. Out of all of my research, I found gastrectomy patients living very normal, full lives with partial or complete gastrectomies. Some people have their entire stomach remove and are able to live fairly normal lives. Of course, there are dietary changes and different requirements, but overall, their lives were close to normal.

9) I know several RNY patients in real life, personal close friends, that struggle with regain, Iron infusions weekly for 8 weeks then off for a month, and back on for 2, bowel obstructions, pouch dilation, and other issues related to RNY.

10) The weight loss stats with VSG are neck and neck with VSG and RNY. I knew restriction would be enough for me. Portion Control and constant restriction is what I needed.

RNY is a great surgery for some people, but for me, it was not a match.

For me, VSG was the only option. If I could not have had VSG, my band would have been removed, and I would have stayed fat.

[KKB 0]

I can not thank y'all enough for all of your help!!!! I feel deep down that the sleeve is the best option. Sometimes I think you can read too much & it is so overwhelming! It is soooo much better to talk to people that have actually gone through it!!!

My Dr. is Dr. Barker in Dallas. He has a very good reputation and I really liked him & love his staff. It has only been a week since I started this journey, but things are moving very fast! I have excellent insurance, so that is not an issue.

Thank you again so much for your help!!!! I appreciate it more than you know!!! Glad to be here!!! I know you will hear from me again!!!

[Eureka-C 20]

I think Tiffykins said it all. The only thing that I would add is that I think it is important to have the lower sphincter muscle in the the stomach to hold food there for a while and allow it to digest/stay full. With the RNY, I have read many expectations that in a few years, the connection on the lower end will stretch, and food will just pass through, leaving the person with an empty/hungry stomach w/in a relatively short time after eating.

[Tiffykins 673]

I can not thank y'all enough for all of your help!!!! I feel deep down that the sleeve is the best option. Sometimes I think you can read too much & it is so overwhelming! It is soooo much better to talk to people that have actually gone through it!!!

My Dr. is Dr. Barker in Dallas. He has a very good reputation and I really liked him & love his staff. It has only been a week since I started this journey, but things are moving very fast! I have excellent insurance, so that is not an issue.

Thank you again so much for your help!!!! I appreciate it more than you know!!! Glad to be here!!! I know you will hear from me again!!!

Sorry this is off topic, but I'm from Bedford, Texas ! ! !

I have heard so many wonderful things about Dr. Barker. TexasT on here had her revision with him. A couple of my good friends have now had VSG with him, and they love, love, love him bunches.

[cwalker 12]

My daughter had RNY 8 months before I had sleeve, she has lost more in a short time but she has fainted on us twice, we've been to kidney,gastro specialist and next week a cardio Doctor, she eats like a pregnant woman just trying to counteract the malabsorption issue. The Dr. removed her gallbladder also.She had a longer recovery time, and even at my age 53 I had no issues.

[kalew 0]

I chose the sleeve as well as it is less surgery than a Roux-en-Y. The more cuts, the more chance of a problem. I didn't want something foreign in my body with the lab band and I could just see it causing pressure sores on my stomach. I am a nurse and like Tiffy said, many people do just fine with partial gastrectomies. I have not had any problem eating any particular food, I have also found that I don't crave "bad" foods like I did before. You know, bread, cake, chips etc. I just don't want it. So the diet afterward is pretty simple once you are on regular food. The weight loss has been slower for me once I have been on regular food, but consistent.

[possumtrot 2]

One other thing I found important is that our immune systems are linked to our digestive systems. I simply do not feel that the egg-shaped pouches of bypass or band patients can give as much aid to digestion and immune system function as can the banana pouch of VSG.

Best wishes OP! It is a tough decision, but I found that once I had made my decision I did not question it. Everything just fell into place and seemed meant to be. I'm only 3 weeks out, but I can tell you that this surgery has helped me immensely in that I finally feel like I am taking life by the horns, not the other way around.