Surgeon Recommends Gastric Bypass Instead of Sleeve

[GSFan 3]

Ok, went to info session this morning and then had my first appointment with the surgeon. He is recommending the gastric bypass instead of the sleeve. He says GB is the "gold standard" and has been around the longest, people lose the most weight with it, almost immediately can come off metformin.

Any one else had this experience?

[loseitsoon 157]

I would get another opinion or two.

[DrmBig4Evr 152]

I would get a 2nd opinion too. I've heard the opposite, start with sleeve then have revision to GB if needed.

[JennyBeth 127]

It depends on how much weight you have to lose. My surgeon says he still recommends the bypass for patients that have a lot of weight to lose because bypass patients typically lose more than sleeve patients, but the difference to me is marginal. I would ask specifically for you why he feels the bypass is the best choice-there could be actual medical reasoning behind his opinion that you haven't considered. OR It could be that he has more experience with performing bypass than the sleeve and in that case I would choose a different surgeon if you feel the sleeve is right for you.

[deltadawn817 106]

I am also going to be in the group of people that say depending on how much weight you have to lose. I would get a second opinion if you really want to or build your case with your Dr as they WHY YOU want to have VSG over bypass.

[Kmasden 14]

I have to say, that i can't quite understand the logic. There are more nutritional risks long term with the bypass, more side effects (dumping) etc...and in essence, the sleeve is like 1/2 the bypass (reduced stomach but no rerouting). Why wouldn't it be easier/safer to start with the surgery that is less risky, and convert later if needed. Interesting.

[DanaMomto3 145]

My surgeon says the exact same thing. He feels bypass is the best option. I wanted the sleeve and he does a ton of them very successfully. So, I got sleeved. If I ad more than 150lbs to lose I would have chosen the bypass.

[Sassygirl06 962]

I didn't want the bypass because of the malabsorption. I did this to be healthier. There is nothing healthy about starving yourself to skinny and that is what the bypass does. I know that I am now a year and a half out and I don't have to take all these Vitamins and minerals and other pills to be healthy. I have my blood work done every 6 months, and my stats have never been better! I would defiantly get another opinion, but it doesn't matter what he recommends, if you say you want the sleeve, and stick to your guns that's what he will give you. Good luck!

[ISleevedIt 380]

I think I remember hearing something about if you have diabetes then the bypass may be better than the sleeve. Is that why you take metformin ?

[fattyaj 3]

A lot of doctors recommend this because there's more research on the success rate of bypass and gaining the weight back. Also, I went to a few different info sessions at a few different hospitals. Also, a bypass is able to be undone since nothing is removed from your body, and sleeve, however, cannot. A lot of doctors just like that there's more research and success (so far) seen in the bypass. Definitely get a 2nd opinion, or just go with what you feel is right for you after doing more research.

[Kmasden 14]

I had no idea a bypass could be undone. Even the rerouting? I do know that surgeons will recommend the surgery they are most expert at. Nothing wrong with that, but something to think about. Get another opinion, then go with what is right for you.

I do know that bypass patients do have great success with the diabetes factor. Quicker than with the sleeve since the sleeve helps because of weight loss, but the bypass does something entirely different.

[JennyBeth 127]

If you don't mind me asking, how much weight do you have to lose? Also, my surgeon did say in his seminar that he recommends patients with diabetes do a bypass because they have better results (although I didn't pay too much attention regarding why because I do not have diabetes). Although my surgeon will do the procedure that the patient wants he feels he needs to educate them as to what HE feels they would have the best success with, but the ultimate choice is the patient's. He said he doesn't recommend the band any longer, but if a patient is dead set on getting one he will still do one. Honestly, I don't understand the logic behind it myself because to me it seems there are so many more issues/inconveniences with the bypass, but like someone else said the bypass is still considered the "gold standard" for WLS because there is typically more weight lost and there are more long term results, but you have to make the decision regarding what is best for YOU. I would have a consult with another surgeon and see what his opinion is regarding what is best for you to do. Good luck!

[DEZ1975 170]

This is true for diabetes. Both my parents has GB because of diabetic factors. GB has a much higher cure rate than the sleeve for diabetes.

[GSFan 3]

Thanks for your responses. I need to lose 200 pounds and he said he feels I would have more success with the GB. He also said it is up to me. I like the idea of the sleeve because it is less invasive. I also had a friend that had GB 5 years ago and she died from complications a week later. I also know a married couple that had GB and both are bigger now than before the surgery.

Maybe I do need a 2nd opinion...