I'm considering the sleeve or gastric bypass...

[betterlife7 16]

I'm not sure which to choose?

I am waiting on a referral to go see a WL doctor. I'm nervous! I keep gaining weight! I think in the last year I've gaine 100lbs. My blood tests show no abnormal levels to explain weight gain! It's so hard to lose the weight! My knees and back hurt all the time! My self esteem is down in the dumps! I have no energy! I feel trapped in this body of unhealthiness! I feel ashamed I've become this way! I weigh 282 and am 5'6.....45 BMI! ????

So frustrating!

[Djmohr 6,965]

Welcome!

This is a great site for getting the opinions of others who went before you.

Most if not all of us felt as you do right now. Ashamed of how we became obese and confused as to why it was happening to us and most certainly frustrated about losing, regaining and gaining more on top of it.

It is great that you are looking at WLS as a long term solution for yourself. I remember initially being terrified of the idea but knowing I would die without intervention.

Go to a weight loss seminar by your local bariatric center of excellence. They are usually free and will provide a mountain of information about all of the types of WLS, their risks and what you can expect from each.

The two most effective surgeries for WLS are the Verticle Sleeve and the RNY Gastric Bypass. Both provide excellent permanent results and can be used as a tool to get yourself healthy. The biggest reason why one is chosen over the other is dependent on ones personal health history. This is why you should not choose until you meet with your WL doctor.

For example, if you suffer from Reflux/Gerd already the best option for you will be bypass. This is because the sleeve and band can make this disease much worse. If you don't suffer from reflux/Gerd then you may decide that the sleeve is better for you.

Either way, work with your surgeon to figure out what will work best for you. Both will get you the results you are looking for in terms of significant weight loss.

Good luck to you!

[IncredibleShrinkingMan 437]

Welcome to BP @betterlife7. The above post is absolutely correct about GERD. However, RNY has more complications in general and is far more notorious to what we all refer to as "dumping syndrome," which is a feeling of sickness caused by eating something that cannot be digested by the pouch, most commonly sugars. I would say that unless you have a serious problem with sugar and you feel that is primarily responsible for your weight gain, I am a strong advocate for sleeve (although you need to sit down and discuss this intensively at your consultation and also see what your insurance has to say). Eventually, we can eat just about anything we want with impunity, albeit with dramatically reduced portion sizes. Even years out, we will become full just on hors d'oeuvres, but eventually, the ultra-vigilance can stop, because the volume restriction helps us lose and maintain our desired weight.

And, perhaps most important to me, the hunger hormone ghrelin, which is produced by the part of your stomach that is removed during a sleeve, no longer causes the unbearable hunger sensations that occur when you lose weight with diet and exercise.

[betterlife7 16]

Thank you that's very helpful!

[Folly 308]

As you can see, the opinions we have and why can be varied. The main thing is that you go in with your eyes open and make the choices you need to make without the boogey-man in your head affecting your judgment with fear. I was strongly encouraged, based on my weight alone to go the bypass route. After researching it and taking in to account that I somehow managed not to acquire type 2 diabetes or any significant metabolic problems from being morbidly obese for 25 years, I chose the sleeve. The reflux/GERD thing is significant but an over the counter acid reducer every 2 or 3 days keeps it in check. I'm only coming up on my 2nd year so I can't predict with absolute certainty how I will feel about this as years go by but I believe I made the best possible choice for myself.

Either way, it's important for you to understand the overall consequences, both good and bad, that are possible with each choice available and weigh that against your weight, health, preferences, needs and medical advice. One thing I can't stress enough is the importance of having proper emotional/psychological supports in place not only to help with making the decision but help with the journey, which can be difficult in ways you may not expect.

*HUGS*

[emiko_oz 62]

I feel as you do. The last 2 years my weight is out of control. I went to my consultation 8/19 and my surgery is 9/11 ( Friday ) I'm very excited. I'm having the sleeve. Good luck to you !!!

[betterlife7 16]

May I ask how you decided which surgery?

[betterlife7 16]

I have an appointment on the 30th for my regular Doctor.....it takes forever to get in! And I want to ask for a referral to go see a bariatric Doc!

I'm nervous they'll tell me no. But I'm at a 45 BMI and I'm 145lbs overweight! ???? i feel so low about myself! But I also feel like people will judge me for having the surgery!

[newmebithebypass 713]

@@betterlife7 yes people will judge you for doing the surgery but they are also judging you for being obese for being a woman for eating poorly while being obese people judge for all sorts of reasons the only thing you can control is your reaction to the judgement. Oh and another thing if your weight is killing you like its killing me I have a bmi of 50 right now will you let peoples judgement stop you from getting healthy and die

[emiko_oz 62]

I agree completely. I haven't told anyone except my mom