Scylla

I'd definitely talk to the surgeon as well. I got essentially the same speech from the PA at my surgeon's office, but the surgeon was very pro-vsg after looking at my records. It might be worth seeing what his opinion is and why, then really sitting down and comparing the pros and cons of both as they relate to YOUR body and lifestyle.
I'm of the mindset that you can be successful with any of these surgeries, and you can fail at any of these surgeries, and if you go in with your eyes open and ready to try your best you'll probably be fine either way.

I had my heart set on the sleeve, but my NUT convinced me to do the bypass due to my type 2 diabetes. I was freaked out about rerouting my innards as well, but it turned out to be no big deal. I can eat anything and dont dump. You will hear this over and over again...bypass is the "gold standard" of wls, with the most history and greatest chsnce of success. My NUT said her bypass patients do better at keeping the weight off. All that being said, definitely do all the research you can, and talk to your wls team as well to see what your best option is. I was super stressed cause i got talked into switching surgeries at the last minute. I dont regret it for a minute! Good luck to you, please keep us posted!

Lots of people don't dump with RNY and of the people who do, it can wear off over time. Wouldn't it be disappointing if you got it hoping sweets would make you sick, only to find out they don't? Regardless if the surgery you have, you will likely need to learn to control your sweet tooth on your own.

I agree that picking a surgery because you have a sweet tooth doesn't make a lot of sense! I am 8 months post surgery and have found that the restriction of the surgery was enough to help me control my sweet tooth. A lot of your success post surgery will depend on how committed you are to changing your life. Any bariatric surgery is just a "tool" to help you change your eating habits and ways of dealing with stressful situations.

I wrestled with which surgery to get too. I was originally going to get the RNY but after learning more about some of the potential effects of the dumping syndrome, which can include hypoglycemic symptoms and heart palpitations, I decided on the sleeve. Although not everyone experiences those symptoms, I just didn't want to take the chance because I already have issues with an irregular heart beat. However, I knew that I would likely struggle with my desire for sweets because I am a sugar addict. While it is true I can eat candy or Cookies I can't eat them like I did pre-sleeve. If I eat too much of that stuff I feel really crappy so it's sort of like the dumping syndrome but not as severe. No one can predict what your experience will be regardless of the surgery you choose. Many people struggle with re-gain regardless of the surgery they had. It's not a cure but a very powerful tool if used correctly. I think you should follow your own instincts but be sure you are being truly honest with yourself about your choice. Best of luck to you.

Hello,
I was sleeved December 11...I visited the surgeon and he suggested a bypass because I had diabetes...recently diagnosed, but still diabetes...Bypass is about 4-5% better for diabetes resolution...
I read about both and was very afraid of the malabsorption and greater chance for strictures (blockages) with the bypass.
When I had second visit, I asked for the sleeve, explained my fears, and he thought a minute, and agreed.
I have no regrets. Five weeks out, I am off all diabetes meds, including insulin. I am not hungry, apparently the loss of the ghrelin part of the stomach has helped me enormously.
I am losing weight and have more energy than ever before.
I do think both procedures are lifesavers, and good. But I prefer the sleeve...
My best,
Beth

My BMI was about 52 when I started at 320 lbs. I chose the sleeve because of the malabsorption issues that can happen with bypass & because I wanted to keep as much of my body's natural digestive process intact as possible. If you haven't come across her yet, check out LessofSarah on YT. I don't know her starting BMI, but she was well over 400 when she began about 14 months ago & she's lost over 200 lbs. I love her videos!

I was planning on a RNY 6 years ago. I did the diet and exercise thing and had great success (179# loss). I kept it off plus or minus 10 pounds for a year. Then next year I put 65# back on, then lost it again plus an additional 15. I hurt myself training for a marathon and used that as an excuse to work out less and started eating more. I ate my way back up to almost where I was, which brought me back to the surgery option. I wanted the weight to come off as fast as possible and to have as long lasting effects as possible, so I was thinking RNY. I know people who have had both procedures, including my family doctor, and see that the sleevers are having a better time keeping the weight off. My Dr. chose the sleeve for himself and his wife because he was more comfortable with still having an intact stomach and being able to more naturally digest food. Another consideration is that there seem to be fewer complications with the sleeve. My bariatric surgeon's data, and national data shows that the RNY v. the sleeve has pateints lose faster, but just a few percent. The long term numbers for keeping the weight off are also within a few percent. I only know two people that has kept the weight off with RNY and a dozen who have not.. The sleeve people I know have all kept the weight off over 3 years. My surgeon is doing almost all sleeves now because the percentage of excess weight loss is close with the two procedures, and the sleeve has fewer complications.
I did the sleeve because you are less likely to have reflux and dumping. I think the biggest advantage of the sleeve is that most people do not feel hungry. In the 3 weeks since surgery I have never felt hungry and only consume 500-700 calories. I still have to remind myself not to eat just because I am board, but even if I do the amount I can take is limited.
I am losing about 6# a week and that is fast enough for me. I see others on the forum are losing faster, good for them. The bottom line is which procedure is going to give you the best long term results and best fits your lifestyle? For me the sleeve was the obvious choice. I want to be able to eat normal foods but just be forced to limit the portions. The sleeve will be perfect for me.

I had lap band first and was stubborn to doc being persistent about having gastric. My lap band was painfull the entire yr. I just had it removed Dec 4 and the scar tissue was so bad I would have had a surgery soon anyway. I had gastric on Jan 9. I have friends that had sleeve, a few love it, a few said the acid reflux is killing them and others gained weight back after a few years.
If you have high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes, gastric is the way to go.
Take your time and weigh your options but if someone ask my opinion it would be gastric hands down.

Cindygirl, I am so glad you are feeling great! By the time your daughter's wedding rolls around you will feel even better and look amazing!

I started my preop diet July 15th and was sleeved July 31st. As of this morning I have lost 103 lbs! I am so proud of me!! :-) Im not yet half way there, but I WILL reach my goal. I am so thankful for my new lease on life.

Hey Bronco605--how did your surgery go? How are you doing? Please let us know!

Oh boy.... my doctor wants me to cut down on caffeine and kick it completely before surgery. I am going to have issues with kicking caffeine competely! I tried giving it up both times when I was pregnant and would get horrible headaches so I would just have a small 8 oz. cup in the morning and that kept the headaches at bay.
I'm with Arts137--it's the only drug I have left!

2 days out and I am feeling a lot better. I was actually able to put down 1oz of vanilla pudding and 1oz of plain cream of wheat from the hospital kitchen. Yes I decided to stay in the hospital an extra day. I was feeling nonstop nauseous and found out it was the morphine making me sick. I got swithed over to liquid loritab and feel much better. I am so excited to get past these first few months of healing and move on to my happier healthier life! Oh. And in case anyone was wondering I weighed 381 before my pre op diet. Day of surgery I weighed 359. (:

I'm having the surgery at Glenbrook Hospital and Dr. Denham is my surgeon, also! You're right--his whole staff is great! I am doing the medically supervised weight loss with Liz (nurse and bariatric coordinator) and she has helped me so much!

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! Don't worry about your husband and son--they'll be fine! Your husband will probably surprise you with how capable he is at taking care of your son and your home when you are in the hospital and recuperating after surgery. Tomorrow is all about you--please don't worry about them!

I am about to leave for the hospital! Please keep me in your prayers and give me some inspiring or funny stories to read when I come off of the anesthesia please! I am VERY excited!!!

I'm having my surgery done at Highland Park Hospital (NorthShore University Healthsystem) by Dr. Ervin(Woody) Denham.
He has preformed surgery on 4 of my personal friends with outstanding results. The entire staff is wonderful!

This is actually comical. Trusting ourselves is what got us here. Listening to ourselves is why we're FAT. Listen to your NUT and your surgeon. I've read on here a million times; surgery can fix your stomach but not your head.

Whoa....really irresponsible advice here. First of all, you're judging her nut based on what? Her age? And you're a what? Not a nut? Not a bariatric surgeon? Not a dietician? Then maybe you're not qualified to set up this persons weight loss program.
Secondly....."if two meals is working for you".....it's not working. She is seeking WLS. Obviously her meal plan now isn't working. And obviously she doesn't know more than the nut or surgeon so she shouldn't be trying to modify the program to fit her desires. And really neither should anyone here. I'm not bashing anyone, but folks there are lines we should not cross. And telling someone to make up their own plan and lie to the doctor is over the line.

I think the first thing you need to do is be completely honest with yourself in regards to actual consumption of calories you take in. That is before quitting smoking and after...
you eat 1 to 2 meals a day or sometimes none. You also say you can eat very little before you feel satiated, very full,
If this information is true, How is the sleeve really going to help you?

The band is what I was originally planning to get, but after doing research and talking to my surgeon I decided on the sleeve. My surgeon told me that for every band he puts in, he takes 4 out in order to revise to either a sleeve or gastric bypass because the patients did not have much success with the band.

If you have been with this man for 3 years, chances are that he already knows you have some insecurities. You may not be nearly as good at covering that up as you think you are. Be honest with him & give him a chance to see ALL of you, not just the parts you are comfortable with him seeing. Trust him to love you in spite of your flaws. Good luck!

Maybe once the shock and surprise of finding out about the surgery wears off, he will be able to think it through better. Maybe he just doesn't know a lot about it & needs to be educated about the surgery & the benefits. Listen to what scares him & why he thinks this is a bad idea & try to address his concerns. Show him facts & maybe even take him to the doctor with you.
Being obese compromises our health and eventually our very lives. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually the day will come when it catches up with us. Any man who would prefer you to take that risk rather than to take a risk to be healthier & live longer is probably not really the man of your dreams. I warned my husband that my body would probably not look very good at the end of this journey & his response was: "But you'll be here and you'll feel better & that's what matters" And he's right!

My little friend. It will all work out in the end. If it hasn't worked out... it ain't the end.