Bypass or sleeve...will the answer come to me?

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

My name is Sam. I'm 30 yrs old. I recently have become sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm fat. I don't care to sugar coat it. That's how I got this way. Pun intended. I will tell you I'm scared of surgery. I will also tell you I've done many things I've been scared of. I am so on the fence about bypass and sleeve. Originally I thought I wanted to lap band. That turned out to be very wrong. So my surgeon is really pro patient choice with in reason. And I am stuck... so I'm really curious how did you make your decision? What's your experience?

[The Candidate 3,215]

I like your honesty and rhyming skills. ????. Welcome!

Choice of surgery is a highly personal subject matter. I can tell you that for me I agonized over it a lot, and really did some soul searching.

I entered the fray dead set on the sleeve, but as I got deeper into it, researching, and listening to other's accounts I ended up switching to the bypass, which I'll be having on 07/29.

I'm older, so my metabolism has slowed. So maybe I would benefit from having malabsorption in addition to restriction. And I have a wicked sweet tooth. I was concerned about the GERD issue that some people who opted for sleeve have suffered from post op, to the point where they're considering revisions to bypass. And while it's nice to think that optimally I would be able to eat anything after sleeve, but in smaller amounts, I know that for me that could well be a slippery slope back to weight gain.

In the end neither surgery comes with guarantees and complications are always possible. So you have to weigh the pros and cons in relation to your lifestyle and expectations.

Good luck!

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

That's good advice. I like this sight I just found it today. I appreciate you sharing your experience with me. Are you excited about surgery? I feel like I'm nervous/anxious. My surgery is scheduled for Dec 2. Very far out so I have a long time to decide and lots of pre-surgery prep to do.

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

Wishing you the best in your decision. I think you will find on this forum a lot of information regarding pluses and minuses for both. Each surgery is different. If there is a presurgery support group in your area, you should take advantage. Sometimes I find people ask questions I would not have thought of.

[The Candidate 3,215]

Excited doesn't even come close. Delirious with happiness would be more apt.

You should have heard me gushing over the phone to the surgery scheduler. I all but genuflected!

You're going to do great. You're realistic and have a positive attitude, sometimes that's half the battle.

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

Thanks guys what I'm starting to think is either one is better then not having one. I guess any thing in life has risks but it seems like there is way more rewards with these procedures. I guess it's just fear of the unknown.

@@The Candidate I'm excited for you. Please keep us all updated I want inside info.

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

It can be overwhelming but I think knowledge is key! I am in the revision process and thought I knew a lot 1st go round. I am learning even more. I am definitely doing group this time. I didn't get a chance last time and I think it is beneficial.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I picked the sleeve over bypass for several reasons, but only YOU can choose what's best for you.

If I was diabetic, I would have had bypass. I am not.

I wanted to live and eat as "normally" as possible and I was not interested in the possibility of "dumping". I wanted to be able to have a bite or tow of cake or a brownie here and there and I can do that with the sleeve. That said, rich ice cream (my favorite dessert in the world) makes me dump like a pansy biotch. Rich cream Soups do, too. ARGH.

Malabsorbtion scared me. I suck at taking Vitamins and pills and I did not want to be on that regimen forever. I don't swallow pills. With bypass that's a must. With sleeve it's a YOU REALLY SHOULD DAMMIT but I don't.

I didn't want my intestines re-routed. I don't have a logical reason for that, I just didn't.

I loved the idea of my grehlin factory being shut down and it has been. Appetite suppressants have always worked well for me, now it's happening naturally. WIN!!

The sleeve was my best option and my surgeon was behind it 100%. As active as I am, and as dedicated as I've proven to be, he agreed that the sleeve was my best bet.

I am just over two years out and have been at goal for almost 16 months. I'm thrilled.I more than thrilled. I'm feaking ecstatic. I've had my share of complications but I don't regret a single moment. Not even for a second...

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

Thank you lipstick lady I can agree with alot that you said and those were my reasons too. My dr seems to think statistics show the bypass is the gold standard of wls. I'm so confused I guess I have awhile to pick I'll just drive you guys crazy with questions lol. If you don't mind me asking how much have you lost?

[SassyTassy 34]

I too struggled with this decision. I am a type 1 diabetic and have a few other ailments. After doing research, talking to a handful of friends that had the GS and talking to the surgeon, I finally decided on RNY. Ultimately, it is your decision, but the deal breaker for me was the acid reflux with the sleeve, the fact that RNY has been around much longer, and lastly, that you get the MOST benefit (most amount of weight loss per studies) from RNY.

Either way, you will make a decision that best suits you, and all of us here will be here to support you! Good luck!

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

@@SassyTassy thank you so much. I don't know why I'm so scared of the bypass I know it's what I need to do I feel like it's the gold standard of wls. But I'm scared of it. I'm a chicken. I hope I'm tough enough to make it thru.

[SassyTassy 34]

@@SassyTassy thank you so much. I don't know why I'm so scared of the bypass I know it's what I need to do I feel like it's the gold standard of wls. But I'm scared of it. I'm a chicken. I hope I'm tough enough to make it thru.

Its completely natural. You're not chicken, your cautious. Completely different and totally understandable.

If you suffer from acid reflux now, or have ever, I highly recommend the RNY. Two of five of my friend that had the GS are already in the process of trying to get a revision to GB. I personally, don't want to have to go thru all the dieting, surgery, recovery again ( I'm speculating from other posts I have read). One time is enough for me!

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

That's so true!!! My dr said they end up with a decent number of revisions. Bypass is the most common and heLPS the most with comorbities as I understand

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Thank you lipstick lady I can agree with alot that you said and those were my reasons too. My dr seems to think statistics show the bypass is the gold standard of wls. I'm so confused I guess I have awhile to pick I'll just drive you guys crazy with questions lol. If you don't mind me asking how much have you lost?

I lost 112 in my first 8 months and have maintained for the last 17 months. Thrilled.

[Soon2beslimSamantha 53]

Lipstick lady did the bypass hurt was healing unbearable? Do you still feel weirdin your tummy of do you feel normal?