Drea

Hi Patty;
Reposting response from my VSG guru who used to dispense good advice to me as a newbie like a fairy godmother.
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This is my standard reply when this question pops up every couple of days. I won't try to sway anyone one way or another, but I'll give you my reasons for choosing VSG over RNY (bypass). For me, it was never an option. The cons outweighed the pros.
Some factors I considered in deciding on VSG. The pouch that RNY offers is similar to the pouch with the band. Least to say, a pouch sucks, I love having a normal tummy, just less capacity and still fully functioning.
1) No blind stomach left behind that can be difficult to scope yet can still get ulcers and cancer.

2) 2 years max on calorie/carb/sugar malabsorption, but a lifetime of vitamin/nutrient malabsorption. This process is called adaptation, and it happens with intestinal bypass surgeries.

3) I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. I'm pretty fond of my pyloric valve and the sleeve let me keep it. I love having a normal functioning stomach, just smaller in capacity.

4) Regain stats and #of RNY patients seeking revision truly scared the poop out of me

5) I have too many friends in real life that struggle with Vitamin deficiencies post-RNY, and most of them either never got to goal, or have gained back a significant amount of their weight.

6) The long term complications with RNY were too numerous for my comfort level. Pouch or stoma dilation, strictures, vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, ulcers,

7) I researched gastrectomies that had been performed for stomach cancer and ulcer patients, and found comfort in the long term results and minimal complications of patients that had lost most or all of their stomachs had dealt with over several years.

8) I was a volume eater, and knew a restrictive only procedure would work for me.
9) I did not want to have food or medication restrictions. I chose WLS to have a "normal" life, and I think it's normal to eat a couple of Cookies. With RNY, I wasn't willing to go through the possibility of dumping if I wanted to have a couple of cookies, or a slice of cake on occasion. The big scare for me is medication restrictions for life. NSAIDS and steroids are a NO GO for life with a RNY pouch. I realize that I may never be diagnosed with a condition or disease that requires steroid use, but it is possible. I want the best long term results with the least amount of complications. Malabsorption is not anything to play with in my mind, and I was not willing to take that risk.
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Personally, I have two friends who have had bypass. One great success but two follow up surgies in last 10 years for complications. The other has had success but a lot of issues. I feel so badly when she dumps - we litterally pull over and she craps in a plastic bag. This still happens at over a year out.
At a year plus out the only difference in my life is restriction of how much I can eat. I am a lucky girl and have no regrets.

I have read and read and read and still felt informed when I read this post! Thank you!

I like the sleeve. Less down time. Only 85% cut off. No dumping.

I'm actually very irregular but i just had my surgery on the 18th and i got my period two days ago
Doctor said it would happen since the weight loss helps so i wasn't surprised. I just hate dealing with two different kinds of discomfort at the same time!!!! But oh, well!!!
*the guys in this conversation are probably cringing right about now* lol

I had practically no pain with my surgery, which is uncommon for me, because surgeries in the past I was a wimp. I started driving after 2 days because I was not on any pain medication. My doctor told me I could drive as long as I was not taking any pain medication.

Hi Tif,
I am 2 1/2 weeks out now and the the first two weeks I had only 2 BM's. Passing gas is a very good thing, my doctor told me in the hospital, it means your system is starting to recover from surgery and starting to work properly again, tho it does take some time for a BM, as long as your not feeling constipated.

Hi Drea, Glad to hear you are doing very well. I was sleeved on the 16th and doing well also, I did have stomach spasms everytime I would drink for about a week but now that is over. Like you, it seems like I have no limitations of the amount of things I do. Just been busy running here and there. I glad to hear you progress to different soups. For your dry mouth, my nutritionist said you can chew sugar free gum, that seems to help me, but just remember you need to keep a close eye on your liquid intake and make sure you are not getting dehyrated. Keep up the good work. I have lost 18lbs (including my loss with my pre op diet)

I was sleeved January 17, 2012. I'm during great :seeya: . I've been walking around since I came out of recovery. My 1st stop was to the restroom. Then I starting walking up and down the halls. I was released on the 18th around 6:30 pm . It's day 13 and I've been shopping a few times, Took my son to his doctor's appt, Volunteered with Keep Dekalb beautiful cleaning up our school road, Went to a DWL appt with a friend. I'm allowed to drive starting tomorrow and I can't wait!! Being stuck in this house is hard. I down 19lbs. The 1st week I was losing 2lbs a day and the second week about a 1lbs a day :Banane23: . Some of my shoes are too big now. I'm ready for for soft food..........Really tried of the liquid diet. I stop using chicken broth and move over to chicken noodle soup, tomato soup, potato soup. I do get dry mouth alot and some time water and crystal light is just not enough. I love being sleeved :001_wub: !