Which Way Do I Go? Sleeve Or Bypass

[Mich grand 35]

I had my consultation this week and was presented with the options. I was really caught off guard. Any help out there? First the sleeve witch-I will still use insulin until the weight comes off. and then there is the bypass-which you stop using insulin as soon as you come out of surgery. Anyone else struggling with this choice?

In the long term, sleeve, you will be able to eat a normal (protion control) amount at any one time. Hence going out to dinner with friend will "seem" normal enough. And even have a drink from time to time. On the other hand, bypass, you eat for the rest of your life the amount about the size of a golf balland no cocktails from time to time.

To some this seems petty but this is my life and this is what we do for entertainment and seeing our friends. please help!

[smithpy 117]

Are you type 1 or 2. My husband was type 2. He had the sleeve last Dec and was off all insulin within a week of his surgery. He hasn't needed any diabetes meds since and he swears the sleeve was the best choice for him. Hope that helps.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

You mean insulin as far as type 2 diabetes? Did your bariatric doctor tell yo uto go off insulin or your regular doctor/endocrinologist/diabetes specialist?

I see people reference the bariatric surgeon telling them sweeping statements like you will be able to be off your insulin. You cannot take this as gospel. Diabetes is more than just weight, and you should not select your surgery based on that.

A big factor, in my opinion, is to ask yourself do you need the malnutrition issues that a bypass would include.

www.asmbs.com

Lots of info on the above link....and always, ALWAYS run what your bariatric surgeon has said by your regular doctors. Your surgeon is just not who should be deciding your overall health.

[djssv0523 10]

Im having the same dilemma. Not so much about the insulin as Im not diabetic. My worry is about having malabsorption and having to be dependent on Vitamins and what happens if we have a catastrophe and can't afford them. That and not being able to enjoy an occasional glass of wine or a bite of wedding cake when my girls get married. The other side of the coin is that I am a sugar junky and the bypass would be a benefit to making sure I dont cheat. Dumping syndrome doesnt sound like much fun and might help me not to take that bite of cake because lets face it...if I were able to just say no I wouldnt be here. Maybe the sleeve would let me take that bite but not eat the whole cake? Anybody see Mike and Molly last week? Thats my hope and why Im leaning towards the sleeve.

[IrishEyes 59]

Malabsorbtion was one deciding factor why I chose sleeve. And didn't like the idea of reconnecting my plumbing. More chance of complication, in my opinion. And I have to say I think about the options I had now that I am postop and 100% glad I made this choice practically every day.

Good you guys are doing research and glad posters are adding links for you. Have faith you will make the best choice for you, and all will fall into plave. You'll see. Best wishes!

[Piplula 709]

Just wanted to chime in here. I want to be sure you understand that just because you have weight loss surgery doesn't mean you will stop taking insulin. Yes ..statistically ..RNY surgery has a greater chance of you coming off your diabetes meds. In fact, the sleeve has similar statistics. HOWEVER, it is not a guarantee that your diabetes will go into remission. I was required to attend two support group sessions before I had surgery. The leader of the group was living proof that weight loss surgery does not always revert diabetes. While she was way better health wise, she still required insulin, but it was in grossly smaller amounts. And yes, she had RNY surgery, not the sleeve. I had the sleeve and my diabetes is in remission. The reason why I choose the sleeve over RNY was because I figured I didn't need the malabsorption issue, and if my diabetes was going to require meds anyway, the sleeve seemed the logical choice for me. This is something you will have to think about and make your decision! Good luck to you!

[smithpy 117]

Pookeyism my husband met with his gastric dr, general physician and endocrinologist. His blood sugar was going too low staying on the meds. Even once he got off, all three monitored him for months. As said everyone is different but that was his experience. On a side note, he did exercise regularly and I believe that has a lot to do with his continues success.

I'm scheduled to have surgery this month, but I'm still nervous, but it's nice to have someone to talk too. Best of luck.

[Mich grand 35]

Im having the same dilemma. Not so much about the insulin as Im not diabetic. My worry is about having malabsorption and having to be dependent on Vitamins and what happens if we have a catastrophe and can't afford them. That and not being able to enjoy an occasional glass of wine or a bite of wedding cake when my girls get married. The other side of the coin is that I am a sugar junky and the bypass would be a benefit to making sure I dont cheat. Dumping syndrome doesnt sound like much fun and might help me not to take that bite of cake because lets face it...if I were able to just say no I wouldnt be here. Maybe the sleeve would let me take that bite but not eat the whole cake? Anybody see Mike and Molly last week? Thats my hope and why Im leaning towards the sleeve.

but this not having a bit of wedding cake is for the rest of our lives. I know either one of them is going to change my life but I don't want to be changed that much. I am soooooo torn between the two. Keep me posted and let me know what you decide.

[Mich grand 35]

Are you type 1 or 2. My husband was type 2. He had the sleeve last Dec and was off all insulin within a week of his surgery. He hasn't needed any diabetes meds since and he swears the sleeve was the best choice for him. Hope that helps.

yes it did help. stay tuned and I will be making a decision soon.

[smithpy 117]

FYI, my husband has cake and chips, etc. just not everyday and not 5-6 servings in one sitting.

[Tealover 46]

It also depends what your eating habits are like. If you are a grazer the sleeve won't stop you. If big portions are your problem the sleeve will help with that. Btw I've been sleeved and I dump on cake!

[IsB 209]

Just make sure you research both before making a decision. I am non-insulin dependent diabetic, for now. From the people I've talked to and what I've read both procedures should get me to the same place but at different speeds. Given that I would rather go with the procedure where they don't have to reroute things and create additional side effects.

I do have a friend who had the RNY 6 years ago and my sister-in-law had that same procedure 3 years ago. Both have done great. It really worked for them. They also started out at a much higher weight and BMI than I'm at. What was right for them I don't feel would be right for me. Each person needs to examine their own situation and make their own decision.

[healthiermom 27]

Sleeve!

[Mich grand 35]

Sleeve!

Any spefic reason you say it so absolutely! thansk for the input.....

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Hi Mitch, I believe the decision is yours but here are a few things that helped me decide to go with the sleeve.

- I liked that the sleeve didn't reroute my intestines, I was scared of that...

- I didn't want malabsorbtion problems as I was already low in potassium and Iron

- the sleeve is having great success with relieving HP, sleep apnea, diabetes... I had all and am clear from all meds.

I'm sure u will discover the right reasons for you.

They are both life changing yes but life saving was what I needed

Best of luck