1ST appt with surgeon today Sleeve vs Gastric Bypass

[cindyvirden.com 60]

I had my first appt with my surgeon today. I was expecting him to say Gastric Bypass for me as I am 50 and have to lose 100 pounds. I do not have any other health concerns excepts my knees, arthritis and oh yes I am obese.

I have been concerned with the malapsorption of the gastric bypass but also the sleeve with gerd. I am having an EGD to rule out

Hiatal Hernia and from there the surgeon will give me his recommendation on surgery.

QUESTION: If you have had sleeve and you had to do all over again verses the Gastric bypass would you?

[Luvin_Life125 558]

Great question! I am very interested in the answers because I am undecided also!

[HoosierGirl 780]

I have been very successful with my gastric sleeve. My primary care doctor said she didn't like the loss of nutrients with the gastric bypass. She said unless your BMI is very very high, she would not recommend it. Said she felt that over time the nutrient loss was something that would affect health/longevity. She was pleased I went with the sleeve.

What led me to pick the sleeve was the removal of the upper portion of the stomach where the hunger hormone is produced. I also felt with my doctor's feedback about nutrients and longevity, the sleeve was a better option for me.

I am 5'8", had high blood pressure. At my highest ever weight, I was 276 (this was while pregnant). When I started my sleeve journey, I weighed 237.6. I've been as low as 141 and no longer take blood pressure meds.

Regardless of what you choose, if you follow the program and exercise, you will be successful. GOOD LUCK!

[besticanb23 3]

During my work up for surgery when I was at the lab having blood drawn. There were two ladies there both had wls on the sleeve and one the bypass.

They both said they lost weight but the one with sleeve said the first six months post op are hard she was 2 years out by then. The one with the bypass was 5 years out and still having issues. They helped me decide I thought I can handle 6 months but I don't want problems the rest of my life.

That helped me, hope it helps you decide. Also make take the advice of your surgeon.

I am only 2 1/2 weeks out right now and it is not bad except I am tired of liquids. but I see the surgeon tomorrow so its on to puree...yay me! but I am sure I made the right choice for me.

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

Hi Cindy,

Only you can make the choice about what is best for you personally. I chose the sleeve for many reasons but most importantly, it didn't have any malabsorption issues and had a quick recovery time while being permanent. Yes, being permanent is a good thing. I didn't want temporary weight loss, I wanted something that would help me change my eating life style forever so I could more easily manage my weight loss. Don't worry about the age thing. I had my surgery on Feb. 10th at age 58 and I had 130 pounds to lose. I'm down 51 pounds now but feel sure I'll lose the rest in time. I was off work just one week and had no complications. The weight loss is slow compared to some folks I've seen on here but way fast compared to anything I've ever done in the past. I love my sleeve and would do it again if I had to. Wishing you much luck in whatever you decide.