41 years old and torn between sleeve and RNY... any advice?

[Jelko7t3 18]

I am a 41 year old wife and mother and I am currently scheduled to have the sleeve done on 12/19/14. I am concerned that I should go ahead and do the bypass due to the amount of weight I need to lose (120+) and the comorbidities I am currently battling. I have diabetes (type 2), HBP, cholesterol issues and sleep apnea.

I have a call in to my doctor to see what he recommends, but I wanted to also ask my peers. If it were you, what would you do?

[jomamacita7 51]

I'm doing gastric bypass....because of the amount of weight I have to lose and my comorbidities: pre-diabetic, high blood pressure, sleep-apnea. I just feel like I need the malabsorption to get where I need to go. That's my personal choice and my surgeon agrees with me.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Both surgeries are good options, I know I've had both.

Based on your diabetes and my opinion only I'd say the bypass might be your best option. Of course make sure it's yours and your surgeon's best choice.

Good luck to you!

[Ethomas15 22]

My surgeon feels rny gets better results with people who have been over weight most of their lives due to the malabsorption and the way it works...she is not against the sleeve but we decided I would better benefit from rny. So those are some things to talk with your surgeon about.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I just had RNY bypass done on 9/29. I ended up going that route after doing a ton of research but there were two primary reasons I made that choice. I had type 2 diabetes although it was fairly well controlled and I also had very bad reflux. I also had a lot of weight to lose as well as other medical issues but these were the two reasons I made this choice after understanding all of my options. I walked out of the hospital with NO diabetes meds, I no longer have reflux nor am I taking those meds. I have been pulled off of cholesterol meds. I have not had a Migraine headache since I started the liquid diet before my surgery and my blood pressure has now dropped low (it was not high before) but I was taking two of those meds for prevention of Migraines I see the neurologist next week. I am hoping to be removed from those two meds.

I feel like in a short 6 weeks my life has changed so much! I am ok with taking some Vitamins the rest of my life. It is a trade that is well worth it!

Good luck, make sure you research before you choose. There is a ton of info available.

[tamg26k 479]

I am 45 years and was (and still am) significantly overweight. I chose RNY because I felt I would have a better chance at losing more weight. The main thing for me was the malabsorption. I really wanted a way to "curb" the cravings. Sweets, fried foods, etc were a regular part of my diet prior to surgery and I can honestly say that I don't crave those foods anymore. In fact, most Protein bars are too sweet for me now. I use sugar- free syrups and sugar -free crystal light mix but the ratio is about 4 times the dilution ratio. I also wanted a surgery that had statistics that went back 5,10,15,20 years and I didn't think gastric sleeve has as much data. Both of them were good options for me, per my surgeon. In the end I chose RNY. It was a bit more expensive (I had to self pay) but I am happy with my choice. Best of luck!

[Jelko7t3 18]

You are all making valid points, and the fact that I feel sugar is my huge downfall I believe I am going to end up with the bypass. I crave buttercream icing... sad, I know. I need the curbing factor too.

[crazzeescrapper 125]

I am a 41 year old wife and mother and I am currently scheduled to have the sleeve done on 12/19/14. I am concerned that I should go ahead and do the bypass due to the amount of weight I need to lose (120+) and the comorbidities I am currently battling. I have diabetes (type 2), HBP, cholesterol issues and sleep apnea.

I have a call in to my doctor to see what he recommends, but I wanted to also ask my peers. If it were you, what would you do?

Hi. I had all the same issues as you and concerns as you with a slow thyroid. My ac1 before surgery was 9.5 and my family doctor wanted me to start insulin. After talking with my sleeve surgeon I decided to have the sleeve. Had my post op blood work done almost exactly 3 months post surgery. Ac1 was down to 6.3, which falls into pre diabetic category. I still crave sugar but can be satisfied now with a very small amount (at least compared to what I ate before). I can satisfy my craving with one fun size candy bar or a couple hershey kisses. I don't eat candy everyday, but still have it. I use sugar fee Jello a lot to help with the sugar cravings. Cake used to be my absolute favorite, but now it just doesn't taste as good as it used to. A couple bites and I'm usually done with cake. You're taste buds will change after surgery.

Just wanted to let you know you the sleeve can be an option if you would want to still be able to have the occasional treat. I have never experienced the dumping syndrome from sugar or anything else. Was sleeved 7/24 @ 295, today I'm at 247, 46 years old. Consider myself a slower loser but my hypothyroid probably contributes to that.

Good luck with whatever surgery you decide to go with.

Edited November 5, 2014 by crazzeescrapper

[SuzeMuze 338]

I had RNY done on October 23, '14 with my decision being made by the desire to resolve my type 2 diabetes. (I also have roughly 100 pounds to lose, but the diabetes was my main catalyst for having this procedure done) My surgeon was in agreement with me, and I'm very pleased to say that every sugar check I've done since the day I came home from the hospital has ranged from 90-118...and I'm on NO medications! (was on 5 until the day before surgery) I'm overwhelmed at how quickly my sugar went back to normal, even with being back on mushy foods now. I can't speak for the results of a sleeve of course, but I don't regret choosing RNY for one second now that I see what seems to be immediate results!

[Chelly 364]

I originally was going to have the sleeve and until my gastric doctor told me with my reflux and GERDS I would be sorry so I went with gastric bypass and I'm very happy that I did.

I have not taken any diabetic meds since surgery, I no longer take high blood pressure meds, no Migraine meds, no chlosterol meds, no GERDS meds, no more CPAP machine.

My last A1C was 4.7 a couple of months ago.

This decision for you should be made by you and your surgeon's suggestions. Only you can make the final decision of what's best for you.

Look at every piece of information you can to research to help you make the final decision.

Good luck with your surgery and here's to you for a happier and healthier life.

[Mbstas 57]

Ditto to all the above posts. No diabetic meds since surgery, no cholesterol meds, and bp meds reduced. Best of all, have lost 100 pounds with 10 more to go. RNY was a great choice!

[Jelko7t3 18]

I guess my concern is the recovery time, I was expecting 2 weeks for the sleeve. Is the recovery time for the bypass the same? I have my surgery so carefully planned out around work...

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Just a reminder that the Bypass is not a guarantee that you won't be able to eat sweets anymore. It will help your blood sugars almost immediately. The dumping though is only true for about half of the people. That said you can still get dumping with the sleeve too. I did.

The proper eating comes from a strong mind, nothing else. Whatever you choose, you're going to have to put all your willpower into it. 100%

[Jelko7t3 18]

I talked to the doctors office this morning, and it is official. I have switched from the Sleeve to the RnY.

[ready to get this show on 7]

My surgeon has a team that meets for recommendations. In my case, I already had the band and developed bad reflux, so they recommended a revision to rny. I had my surgery November 18, 2014. Thus far, i haven't figured out what hungry feels like. If you have reflux, go with rny.