Which Way Do I Go? Sleeve Or Bypass

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

My advice is to go to support groups and try to talk to both rny and sleeve patients. for me, the decision boiled down to I just didn't want a "pouch" because I had problems with the lapband and feared living forever with a pouch. Not totally rational, but I was just freaked out by the idea of the RNY. It was also much higher risk of complication as I was a band revision.

I thought the malabsorption was the main benefit of the RNY, but some of my reading indicates that after about 2 years, the malabsorption doesn't actually seem to be effective anymore.

I realize that by making the sleeve choice, my weight loss is a little slower and I may not get to goal. Not that it is guaranteed with ANY surgery....

[chris54 106]

If u r willing to stay the same maybe u should rethink this decision. We all loved our sweets, drinks but loving those things got us right here. I don't know about anyone else as for me,the old person with bad eating habits is going to stay in the OR, anew person will be rolling into recovery. Lol Really is a piece of cake or drink worth your health? If so continue as u are. I don't mean to sound mean, but this weight has cheated us. Your taste buds are going to change, the food u loved prior to surgery u may not want anyway. Good luck, but think hard the new person inside of u full of life energy is counting on u.

[ReduceReuseRecycle-Me! 119]

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' date=' 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![/quote']

You can get around the bypass eating thing. My sister-in-law had RNY and she drinks alcohol a lot and eats a lot. Like a ton of sushi and alcohol at same time. I don't know how. Just saying, nothing is impossible.

[ReduceReuseRecycle-Me! 119]

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.

Never mind catastrophe, but what about when we are old and need help with meds and such. Can you see yourself taking all the extra supplements when you are 80. Will you remember to? Will they make sure you get them in the nursing home? Those were some of my thoughts.

[ReduceReuseRecycle-Me! 119]

My advice is to go to support groups and try to talk to both rny and sleeve patients. for me' date=' the decision boiled down to I just didn't want a "pouch" because I had problems with the lapband and feared living forever with a pouch. Not totally rational, but I was just freaked out by the idea of the RNY. It was also much higher risk of complication as I was a band revision.

I thought the malabsorption was the main benefit of the RNY, but some of my reading indicates that after about 2 years, the malabsorption doesn't actually seem to be effective anymore.

I realize that by making the sleeve choice, my weight loss is a little slower and I may not get to goal. Not that it is guaranteed with ANY surgery....[/quote']

Malabsorption is not a benefit, it is a negative side effect. With the rerouting of the intestines, nutrients are not absorbed the way they are supposed to be and that is why RNY patients have to be on many additional supplements for life.

Just FYI

[MrsPiggleWiggle 65]

I'm so glad you asked this, I've been all over the place w/ what I am thinking as well!

[Banned member 320]

The deciding factor for me when I had to choose between RNY or the sleeve, was the pyloric valve. With the RNY they have a man made stoma that can stretch and food can become stuck if not chewed to a puree, plus the stoma can stretch out if you overeat too often. I don't trust the man made stoma because it can never mimic what the natural pyloric valve could. Also I don't want to deal with dumping and hyperglycemia. Plus having to take tons of Vitamins is not something I want to deal with for the rest of my life. Malabsorption doesn't sound appealing at all to me. Good Luck with your decision.

[djssv0523 10]

If u r willing to stay the same maybe u should rethink this decision. We all loved our sweets, drinks but loving those things got us right here. I don't know about anyone else as for me,the old person with bad eating habits is going to stay in the OR, anew person will be rolling into recovery. Lol Really is a piece of cake or drink worth your health? If so continue as u are.

Well...that wasn't snarky at all. Thank you Chris54 for being so perfect as to never have to worry about slipping into old behaviors. I only wish that I were so perfect. Obviously I'm not because I'm FAT. I'm looking at surgery because I'm NOT willing to stay the same. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement.

[mwrarr 244]

I'm pre-op & tending towards VSG, but awaiting the endoscopy results as I have a life long history of GERD & previous ulcers. Most of my "experience" with bariatric surg comes via my sister, who had RNY in 2010. She was 55bmi, type2 ins dep, Hypertension, degenerative joint issues, you name it. I can tell you that she's made her Drs goal & is abt 40# from personal goal, had a baby 2 yrs out, & can drink like a fish (though she's now a major "lightweight"), & pretty much has normal (aka "recommended") portion sizes. She still can't handle dairy or sweets too much, but did have a bite or two of her wedding cake.

I know abt 5 ppl personally who have done RNY over the last 10 yrs...they all live pretty much normal lives & eat fairly normally. However, to me...they all kinda have that "green under the gills" look, even though they're skinny/healthy now. My surgeon said it's likely due to malabsorption, & that it should pass bc the body figures out how to bypass the malabsorption issue around 1-1/2 to 2 years out.

I know absolutely no one personally who has had VSG, but the pyloric valve is pretty important to me...

347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW)

[chris54 106]

I am having the sleeve and my doc says sleevers, need to take Vitamins forever just like ry's make since smaller tummy more help with vitamins

[Scaredy Cat 92]

I took Vitamins well before I even thought about weight loss surgery. My children take vitamins. Personally, I don't think it's a big deal taking vitamins even well into my 80's. what I do mind I'd not even making it to my 80's because obesity is deadly.