Last minute surgery change

[KDM74 186]

Hello everyone - I actually started my WLS journey over a year and a half ago. I had a very difficult time losing the required weight for my program. Anyway, I was heart-set on having the sleeve but when I finally met with my surgeon on April 30th he told me that my upper GI scan showed that I have reflux, which the sleeve can actually make worse. So, after much consideration, I decided to switch to the bypass, because after all, I am having this surgery to try and help me fix problems, not create new ones. But I do have to admit I am a bit apprehensive. I chose the sleeve originally because it is a more straightforward surgery without any rerouting of intestines. I would love to hear more about everyone's experiences in why you chose the bypass and, if you have already had surgery, what your experiences have been. I am set for my surgery in one month, so anything you can share is appreciated. Thank you!

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

I had the sleeve in October 2012. I have since had a baby and gained weight during pregnancy that is not moving. My upper gi shows extreme gerd and a distended sleeve. Now looking at a revision. I am a bit disappointed to go through this all again and I know many of people that did really well with Sleeve. I also now those that did well with RNY. I like the fact there is more long term info with RNY and with the sleeve not so much. My surgeon informed me he has seen sleeve distention post pregnancy and I can't find any data......i worked my butt of to lose 53lbs and it is frustrating be dealing with gerd and no weight loss...

[drmeow 323]

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding over the sleeve with people thinking it is a simpler procedure. Yes, the intestines aren't cut or moved but a huge part of your stomach is removed forever. With the bypass, the extra part of your stomach is still present and producing digestive enzymes to help you digest; they just are added back in at a lower area of the intestine. So if there are problems a bypass can actually be returned to normal. Once your sleeve is done, there's no going back to the original, although you can be changed to a bypass at that point. I know there are a lot of people on here with great success at the sleeve; however it seems there are some who develop GERD afterward that requires revision to bypass. If you already have bypass the sleeve is likely to make it much worse.

In addition, the sleeve only works by restriction. Eventually it begins to stretch back out, as will the bypass "pouch." However, with the bypass you also have the possibility of dumping to help keep you from eating the wrong things, or overeating, even once the pouch has stretched out.

The longterm success of bypass has been proven for years; the sleeve's longterm success is still being proven.