Trying to decide--Bypass or Sleeve?

[Time4Kindness 48]

I was set that I was gonna get the bypass surgery, but I don't have a date yet, still doing presurgery appointments. But I am hearing the sleeve is better to get than the bypass!?!? What is the consensus on these two surgeries?? Help please!!!

[liguy 5]

I had the sleeve, and recommend the sleeve. You are also not super morbidly obese, so I would think that the sleeve is a better option. It's restrictive enough, and you don't get the dumping syndrome.

[cutiepieinchi 158]

I was all set to get the sleeve until my surgeon told me that the sleeve could make my reflux worse . I think they are both great options. Good Luck

[unbesleevable1 420]

bypass is better for people with type 2 diabetes, or have 100+ lbs to lose. The sleeve also doesn't have the same complications with absorption (iron/ vitamins) that you see with RNY/ bypass. I think its a huge personal choice, along with your doctor's guidance and education.

[marysminute 20]

I'm working on getting sleeved. If the surgeon decides because of reflux they recommend bypass I will refuse because I'm 28.

[NMJG 1,266]

If you start with the sleeve, you can always convert to bypass later. You don't have that much to lose, I would give the sleeve a shot, IMHO. No malabsorption issues.

[mi75 1,235]

i was in the same boat and had initially explored the sleeve. my initial appt with my surgeon didn't really discuss any of the options, just mostly ALL of the testing involved...

then my family doctor gave me a formal lesson in sleeve/reflux. i already have GERD and take a PPI drug twice a day. so i set my decision to bypass.

saw my surgeon last week for the final follow up and he actually says that he believes the sleeve is better for me because with my GI history, i don't want a blind stomach sitting there sealed shut that can't ever be scoped (I have EGD twice a year due to Barrett's disease).

everybody is very different and the opinion that counts most is your surgeon. have a candid discussion and get his/her true feelings about which fits you the best. also, some insurances will only pay for certain surgeries if you have certain diagnoses...

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

My surgeon recommended the sleeve for me. I had 100 pounds to lose and I told him I was horrible at taking daily supplements. The bypass required supplementation for life due to malabsorption. So, I knew the sleeve was definitely a better option for me. Talk to your doctor and talk about what he thinks is best for you and your situation.

[dreamscometrue 262]

I was set that I was gonna get the bypass surgery, but I don't have a date yet, still doing presurgery appointments. But I am hearing the sleeve is better to get than the bypass!?!? What is the consensus on these two surgeries?? Help please!!!

A few things I think you need to have your doctor explain: the Vitamin deficiency for the rest of your life if you go with bypass. Also, the dumping syndrome was a concern for me. I was sleeved and am 28 years old and needed to lose 125 lbs. it's not even been 5 months and I'm down 75lbs. From what I have heard and knowing several people who have gone through bypass, this tends to be the option people go with when they have 200+ pounds to lose because you have a better chance of getting the weight off faster and maintaining that. With that being said, I met a girl at my pre op meeting who was much larger than myself and we had surgery at the same time- I had sleeve and she did bypass bc that's what her mom had done a few years prior. I am still losing at a faster rate than her even though she was 100+ larger than me. Everybody is different, there is no right or wrong answer, but with only needing to lose 100 lbs, you could easily have that off in the first 10 months with the sleeve if you put your mind to it! Just my opinion, but I feel like a lot of people choose bypass because they hear they can lose weight faster than the sleeve, but that is not always the case and honestly, I would not want to be losing any faster than I already am! Keep us posted!

[rhfactor272 50]

i was in the same boat and had initially explored the sleeve. my initial appt with my surgeon didn't really discuss any of the options, just mostly ALL of the testing involved...

then my family doctor gave me a formal lesson in sleeve/reflux. i already have GERD and take a PPI drug twice a day. so i set my decision to bypass.

saw my surgeon last week for the final follow up and he actually says that he believes the sleeve is better for me because with my GI history, i don't want a blind stomach sitting there sealed shut that can't ever be scoped (I have EGD twice a year due to Barrett's disease).

everybody is very different and the opinion that counts most is your surgeon. have a candid discussion and get his/her true feelings about which fits you the best. also, some insurances will only pay for certain surgeries if you have certain diagnoses...

What is your GI history? Just curious...i want the sleeve but with a recent barrett discovery, the doc is recommending bypass.

[cutiepieinchi 158]

A few things I think you need to have your doctor explain: the Vitamin deficiency for the rest of your life if you go with bypass. Also, the dumping syndrome was a concern for me. I was sleeved and am 28 years old and needed to lose 125 lbs. it's not even been 5 months and I'm down 75lbs. From what I have heard and knowing several people who have gone through bypass, this tends to be the option people go with when they have 200+ pounds to lose because you have a better chance of getting the weight off faster and maintaining that. With that being said, I met a girl at my pre op meeting who was much larger than myself and we had surgery at the same time- I had sleeve and she did bypass bc that's what her mom had done a few years prior. I am still losing at a faster rate than her even though she was 100+ larger than me. Everybody is different, there is no right or wrong answer, but with only needing to lose 100 lbs, you could easily have that off in the first 10 months with the sleeve if you put your mind to it! Just my opinion, but I feel like a lot of people choose bypass because they hear they can lose weight faster than the sleeve, but that is not always the case and honestly, I would not want to be losing any faster than I already am! Keep us posted!

I am also 28. I need to lose about 125 pounds or so. I'm a bit confused because my surgeon did not tell me that bypass was for 200+ pounds people.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

Bypass isn't just for those with more than 200 pounds to lose. I need to lose about 80 and I'm going with bypass. One reason is that I have reflux and the sleeve is not the best choice for that. My doctor also said that some people with certain types of damage to the esophagus cannot do the sleeve -- they need bypass.

There are a lot of factors to consider -- most based on your personal medical status. Talk to your surgeon and look at reputable sites like the mayo Clinic site or WebMD to see the differences in the surgeries and decide what's best for you.

[marysminute 20]

I'm concerned with the gerd...what's the deciding factor with doctors of to sleeve or not to sleeve?

[PdxMan 4,292]

From my own personal experience, sleeve was the decision I felt was best for me.

I had severe reflux issues and weighed just over 300 pounds. Unknown to me, I had a hiatal hernia, which the surgeon said was most likely the cause of my reflux issues. He repaired that when he did my sleeve. My surgery was almost 3 years ago and I have only had one bout with reflux since surgery, which was pretty amazing considering I had bottles of Tums all around and took Prilosec constantly. If you know what a hiatal hernia is, then you know those things are not going to cure reflux. The sleeve surgery and repair of the hernia, did.

I have also lost my excess weight. At one point, I had lost over 145 pounds dropping down to under 160#, but I received so many comments at how gaunt I looked and when my wife also said I was too skinny, I put 25# back on. I now sit at a very happy, healthy 185-190# range.

I can eat anything and everything I wish, just smaller quantities. I have no malabsorption issues and am enjoying my new relationship with food.

[cutiepieinchi 158]

I will say I went to my appt fully ready to get the sleeve. My doctor told me I am a great candidate for bypass and that because of my reflux ,he would not recommend the sleeve. I think both options are great, you just have to go with what's best for you.