SLEEVE OR BYPASS? WHY?

[LoveMyBypass 251]

So, I've been interested in the sleeve since day one because I always thought, what if my stomach wraps around my intestines and... AAH! ???????? Just the thought made me decide on sleeve. I want so much for this to be successful, and I recently learned in one of my required classes that if I am a sweets lover, the best choice is bypass. I asked my instructor which is safer, and she said they're both very safe. But in the introduction class, they said 1 in 1000 people die from sleeve & 1 in 200 die from bypass. I'm so confused. I need to make this work and stopping my sweets cravings looks like it's what is best for me. I'm expecting surgery sometime in May or June, but it's good to be prepared, isn't it?

Which did you pick and why?

[rastus 35]

Well ysuggest more scientific research & asking professionals for the answer.

One is more suitable for those with a propensity for diabetes, than the other according to my doc who does all of these procedures.

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

Go to the websites of the ASMBS, major research hospitals, JAMA and other reputable sites for info.

Those numbers seem very high. Maybe for total complications, but I wouldn't expect those numbers as deaths.

I wonder how many of those people who died were extremely morbidly obese or had significant medical problems?

The only numbers probably worse than that are the percentage of morbidly obese people who die before they make it to their 70's or 80's.

Edited February 3, 2016 by 4MRB4PHOTO

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had severe acid reflux (GERD). RNY gastric bypass surgery is the recommended surgery for patients with GERD. That is why I chose this option. Also RNY had one of the lowest revision rates. I figured that if I went under the knife once, I did not want to repeat it again and again.

[VDLT 244]

Search through the threads and learn as much about each as you can. There are other threads comparing the two just like this one, but ultimately only you can decide what is right for you, and we will all be a bit biased towards our chosen surgery.

For me, I did not want malabsorption and a blind stomach. And in the off chance that I needed to go to something stronger like the DS down the line, the sleeve got me halfway there.

I had GERD before my sleeve. It was caused by the band and a hernia. Removal of the band and hernia repair with sleeve has solved it.

[dhrguru 1,238]

So, I've been interested in the sleeve since day one because I always thought, what if my stomach wraps around my intestines and... AAH! Just the thought made me decide on sleeve. I want so much for this to be successful, and I recently learned in one of my required classes that if I am a sweets lover, the best choice is bypass. I asked my instructor which is safer, and she said they're both very safe. But in the introduction class, they said 1 in 1000 people die from sleeve & 1 in 200 die from bypass. I'm so confused. I need to make this work and stopping my sweets cravings looks like it's what is best for me. I'm expecting surgery sometime in May or June, but it's good to be prepared, isn't it?

Which did you pick and why?

Not all bypass patients dump-- I don't. Actually the % that do dump is really quiet low. So i would not hinge your surgery on the fact that you like sweets and may have a safeguard in dumping to keep you from them.

Also, the 1 in 200 dying from bypass-- were they straight bypass, or revisions from some other surgery to bypass? I think that make a HUGE difference. And were those deaths immediately after surgery-- or after many years, when surgery can't as easily be pinpointed to be the main cause of the death. There are a lot of factors that can skew these 'statistics'

I chose bypass- I had confidence in my surgeon's skill and experience with this particular surgery. I wanted the additional effect of malabsorpbtion to aid in weight loss since I had so much to lose. I've seen relative with sleeve and lab band be unsuccessful with theirs, so I wanted to try what is known as the gold standard...

[LoveMyBypass 251]

I don't have diabetes, but it is in my family and I have been borderline once before. My grandmother and uncle both died from it. So, maybe bypass will be my ultimate choice. I have learned all I can on the sleeve, ignoring anything on bypass after seeing those numbers. Now I have to re-read all my pamphlets to favor the bypass.

I definitely trust my doctor, and I trust I WILL follow the rules.

I never considered the reason they might have died. Maybe it wasn't under the knife and I am worried for nothing.

[LoveMyBypass 251]

I found the % on one of my pamphlets. There is no explanation. They explain what the procedures are and then the percentage of death. This was the very first pamphlet of information that I received.

[PayItForward 207]

I found the % on one of my pamphlets. There is no explanation. They explain what the procedures are and then the percentage of death. This was the very first pamphlet of information that I received.

Those death rates don't look right. Also, it must be an old pamphlet. It states that the lapband is a new procedure.

PS. If you got that pamphlet from your surgeon's office, I would suggest that you find another one.

Edited February 3, 2016 by PayItForward

[shrinkingkimber 200]

A recent statistic I saw in the sleeve said the possibility of death was 0.08% which is less than 1 in 1000. Which is much less than knee surgery or even gallbladder surgery. Side effects from being obese are more likely to kill someone than any Bariatric surgery.

Edited February 3, 2016 by shrinkingkimber

[amazon 579]

I loved my sweets pre-op and still do (sadly, my sweet tooth was not extracted). I just don't seem to have the same cravings for them as before, but I still want and enjoy some. However, if I over do it, I will dump. Yup, you can dump with the sleeve.

I'm not sure that dumping vs. not dumping should be a deciding factor. I think it's pretty unpredictable.

I went by my surgeon's recommendation based on my medical situation, and amount of weight to lose. He felt the "simpler" procedure was best for me - and he was right.

I'm pretty sure I was told that the mortality rate was the same - the complication rate may not be. But where I go, it is continually compared to gall bladder surgery (mortality).

There's lots of good information out there, and it's good to see you doing your research. Keep it up!

I think it's just important to keep in mind that which ever you choose, it's just a tool to help get you there. I hope this surgical group has the support program(s) in place to help on your journey. :-)

[taysidebell 176]

I was told 1 in 500 for rny but I was a revision band to bypass no regrets I also have a sweet tooth not dumped yet but followed the rules and only 20 weeks out. Good luck with your research X

[Jessica Ellison-Correa 66]

I'm still preop but I am choosing rny because of my diabetes and pcos

[LoveMyBypass 251]

Yes I'm definitely still reading on everything. I just wanted to know how it went for people who have had either procedure. Thank you so much for your responses.