Veterans-I have a question for your wonderful peeps!

[KatieD6982 68]

I'm in the final month of my 6 month supervised program. I have just a couple of quick questions for you, if you would weigh in that would be great!!

This whole time I've been working towards the sleeve. Yesterday in a meeting with the Director of the Bariatric Program-the BIG WIG of the program from my state, he explained that he really recommends the full bypass for me. He said he's seen far too many people who struggle to lose weight in the six month program (me-I go up and down and up and down) that there has been a lot of his patients who go from the sleeve to the bypass.

Are there any others who thought they were going to have the sleeve but then switched to the full bypass?

Has anyone here HAD the sleeve and was revised to bypass?

Are you happy with the bypass choice? Anything I should know?

THANK YOU!!!!!

Edited January 23, 2015 by KatieD6982

[Djmohr 6,965]

I was planning to have the sleeve and then was told the better surgery for me was absolutely the bypass. For me, it was because I suffered from uncontrollable reflux/Gerd. The sleeve can make that condition much worse. Once I understood the whys behind it I made the decision to go with RNY.

I am sooooo glad I did. I never get heartburn or reflux and am off all medications.

[maggie0210 117]

I wanted the sleeve but my insurance wouldn't cover it. The surgeon said I would lose more weight with the bypass anyway. I don't regret it, but wonder about why I couldn't have the sleeve.

[GingerDiane 34]

Hi there

[GingerDiane 34]

I was always wanting the bypass...but my surgeon wanted me to have the sleeve..I reluctently agreed as he was the professional...but in the same day he asked me to go for an Endoscopy..to see if I had reflux as Im taking "omeprozole"...Last week I had the Endoscopy and glad I did..as it showed not only having a hole of about 2cm....I had a Hiatus Hernia and full reflux. An hour later my surgeon came in......he said right you will now have a full bypass...due to what I found in the results...im happy so happy..I finally got what I knew was best for me..and it will get rid of my reflux and repair the hole too. So those who suffer reflux must be better to have the bypass..seeing from the notes Ive read on here and my own experience. Id never have a Band..no way...the bypass I feel will give me back a certain control Ive never had before...rather than food controlling me!

[green*eyed*girl 170]

It is very important to listen to your doctor. They have the knowledge that we lack, even though we have our wishes and our hopes your surgeon is the one who knows what's best for you.

I wanted the sleeve really bad, I was 100% sure that is the perfect surgery for me. He told me that I will lose 60 pounds and I will knock on his door again wanting the bypass. I was self-pay, so he said it is a good business for him if I want 2 surgeries but as a professional and as a doctor he must say that he recommends the bypass for me. I was just sitting there, smiling, and I thought F U, I will find an other surgeon!! So I went in for my endoscopy and turned out I have reflux. After that my surgeon said it would really be the best and beneficial for me to get the bypass. I had to accept his opinion and had to agree, so slowly I started to wrap my head around the bypass...

I still have over 30 pounds to lose till I reach my goal, but wooooooow I do not regret my bypass for a minute, in fact I would go in for the same surgery every year if I had to! Smooth sail, no complication, losing weight with little to no effort and life is good again. Really good!

Please listen to your doctor, they want the best for you.

Edited January 24, 2015 by green*eyed*girl

[GingerDiane 34]

Yep you was right to say FU to the first..soynds like he wanted 2 lots of money...thats a wrong way to play with peoples emotions! Well 4 days to go I cant wait!

[Mustang2013 21]

I went with the Sleeve because I did not struggle with Reflux or indigestion. I also had less to lose than some and that is also a factor. I am now maintaining and still don't struggle with reflux. I have lost 94 pounds from my highest weight and am no longer on a CPAP machine. So it is very individual. I was up and down my whole life and was capable of losing the weight but unable to keep it off which is not good physically or emotionally. The sleeve was the boost I needed to keep it off. Life is good.

[KatieD6982 68]

Thank you all so much!!

[Daisee68 2,493]

Just wanted to say that I am so very glad you posted this! I just started the journey last week and with sleeve in mind, my surgeon informed me it was not a good idea due to acid reflux. She said we would do an Upper GI first and then I would understand. I have had a hard time getting my head around bypass, but I am starting to get there and this post really helped me feel more comfortable with that decision. I have a long way to go - psychological evaluation, sleep study for possible apnea, Upper GI, 4 visits with nutritionist (at least 31 days apart), and stress test, but honestly I am very thankful for the process as it gives me time to adjust and make some positive changes. So happy to hear others went through this same decision process - especially due to reflux!

[Lebim 381]

I originally had full intentions of getting the sleeve until I realized my insurance only covered the lapband and bypass, at first I was upset but good lord was it a blessing. If I didn't experience dumping syndrome I wouldn't have been nearly as successful, and I'd probably gain all the weight back. I do my best to not eat garbage but I go into spouts of depression and "I just don't care anymore" stages more often than I like and the dumping keeps me from eating the entire bag of potato chips I desire so much. I cannot imagine having any other surgery honestly. I needed the big guns.

[ladypoohbear 123]

I had gastric by pass. Best thing that I did for my self. loving being smaller. Shopping=====the best. should have done this sooner.