Sleeve vs. Bypass

[brandeett 52]

Hi all. So I've spoken with 3 people I know that have had gastric bypass and they said that they did not exercise at all and still lost weight. One of them lost 80 pounds in 10 months. Why do sleevers have to exercise to lose? What is the difference between the two? Not making excuses, just want to know why?

[MzStockton 182]

I haven't had the surgery yet but my friend did 4 mts ago and with no exercise has loss 60lbs.... As of my understanding and as I believe with any weight loss exercise will just make the overall process much better as well help to tighten up any loose skin you may have.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Lots of sleevers lose weight and do not exercise. Weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. You don't have to exercise but..

Most people are following their doctors plans though, and all doctors tell you to exercise. My doctor did tell me they try to do gastric bypass only on older less active people, and the sleeve is a better option for younger people that can be physically active.

If you are losing weight for health purposes, you should be active and work out.

I have an associate that had the bypass, they are young, and they worked out heavily in the beginning. Easily dropping weight, getting up to running 5 miles a day. Later, almost 2 years down the line when this person was able to eat more and ravenously hungry, the fact they could and did workout daily prevented them from regaining.

Working out is your insurance plan against regaining and also to maintain/improve your health. The sleeve and bypass, are not going to be as magical after the first year, you have to build habits that will help you maintain your weight loss.

[Mini_me007 121]

Studies show that weight loss is more rapid with bypass in the first year, however, by year two, weight loss from the sleeve is the same as bypass.

As OutsideMatchInside said, weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. Once you've reached your weight loss goal, those numbers flip when you go into maintenance mode.

Here's something I've heard from weight loss veterans...If you think losing the weight is hard, get ready. Maintenance is 10X harder.

Edited August 23, 2015 by Mini_me007

[brandeett 52]

@@mini me that is a no brainer that maintaining is harder. My question was, what is the difference between the two.

[brandeett 52]

That is something that I already know. And being at the beginning of this journey is not something that I prefer to hear. I'll go back to the other thread that says: you can do it, you're doing a great job. But thanks anyway

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@mini me that is a no brainer that maintaining is harder. My question was, what is the difference between the two.

There is no difference. You can lose weight on the sleeve without working out. It just isn't recommended and usually people having bypass are much heavier.

I am not sure what kind of answer you are looking for here.

The malabsorption of the bypass will help you lose weight faster early on, but since you still have your stomach in your body, you are are going to have more hunger issues.

[Mini_me007 121]

@@mini me that is a no brainer that maintaining is harder. My question was, what is the difference between the two.

That is something that I already know. And being at the beginning of this journey is not something that I prefer to hear. I'll go back to the other thread that says: you can do it, you're doing a great job. But thanks anyway

Apparently I hit some sort of nerve, and for that, I'm sorry. The point I was trying to make is you can lose weight with the sleeve and with bypass without exercise. However, if the patient does not exercise at all (whether they got the sleeve or bypass), and keep good eating habits, they will gain the weight back. There really is no difference. I've seen bypass people shed the weight in no time, then gain all of it back, plus more, because they didn't exercise and keep good eating habits.

Btw, it just goes to show everyone is different. I remember reading about maintenance being 10X harder and being taken aback by that...I would have thought losing it was harder.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I had the sleeve so I could get to a point where I can exercise. If I had had the bypass, it would be the same.

I started at a very high weight where walking was difficult. Before surgery I had not been exercising/moving at all. Pre-op I got an exercise peddler and started pedaling with my hands in front of the tv for an hour a day.

Even though I knew I wanted the sleeve, I was preparing for weight loss surgery period.

Now, I am able to get in the pool every day (weather permitting) and love it.

I am looking forward to being able to take long walks, hike, bicycle, take yoga and dance classes, and eventually learn to surf.

Exercising is such an important part of my new life. As my NUT pointed out to me, part of being healthy is exercising.

[brandeett 52]

I do exercise. I'm not making any excuses or trying to get out of it. I was just wondering the difference. An acquaintance of mine, 9 months out lost 100 pounds. No exercise whatsoever. She had the bypass. Anyway, I also am looking forward to be able to hike and things like run 5k's.

[brandeett 52]

I've actually heard the opposite about maintainance. To the folks I've spoken too, they said the initial loss was harder, but maintaining is easier now because of weighing less.

[brandeett 52]

@OutsideMatchInside...Not looking for a particular answer, just support.