60Sandy

I'm 60 and at the very beginning of this process. And finding great comfort in reading all of your comments. Is it possible to chew sugar-free gum? I find the chewing process very comforting.

I was all set to go with the sleeve but my surgeon steered me towards the bypass because I suffer from heartburn. It's not that bad but that is the option that he would choose for me. I have 80 pounds to lose, have a very large sweet tooth, and have been known to binge quite a bit. I like the fact that the sleeve takes away your hunger and would prefer that over the dumping syndrome that the bypass has. So many pros and cons to both of them. I think I'm going to have to go with my surgeon's recommendation because he knows best after all. The bypass does make me a little bit more nervous....... I too would welcome more dialogue between the sleeve versus bypass. Thanks.

Honestly to me as an outsider it sounds like the RNY would be the better choice for you... but I'm not a medical doctor, and I don't know your life beyond this post.
The sleeve can cause nightmarish GERD, which is why they are hesitant to people who already have issues with heartburn. And the RNY has an EXCELLENT track record of putting type ii diabetes into remission. The sleeve, too, but I think the numbers are lower.
As for horror stories about the RNY... there are horror stories for all the procedures! And there are also thousands of people very happy they made the choice to go through with their chosen surgeries. Both the RNY and Sleeve procedures are statistically incredibly safe operations now, so long as you choose your surgeon wisely and follow pre- and post-op instructions to the best of your ability.
If you genuinely think the life you want isn't possible without some kind of surgery, you either have to accept the risk of surgery, or accept your life and try to make it better in any way you can.
I was very, very scared of complications too, well namely I was scared of dying! I have two young kids and the thought of leaving them behind just so I can lose 60 lbs seems terribly selfish when I think of it that way. But I don't think we can make decisions based solely on the worst case scenario, do you?
When I was still undecided, I said "I will join the program anyway, learn all that I can, put my name on the waiting list... and if it's not for me I can always back out at any time." But the longer I was in the program, and after I met my surgeon, I knew I was making the right choice. I am sure I will still be afraid as my surgery date draws nearer, but in this moment I know I'm doing the right thing for myself and my family.
The best way to make this decision is to put aside the horror stories (which are often third hand and exaggerated, let's be real!), and look at the cold hard facts. Read up on the possible complications and the percent chance of having them. Read surgery stories here. And then bring your questions and concerns to a trusted surgeon, who will help you make the right choice for you.

No problem at all Sandy! I could have written this exact same post a few months ago, so I'm more than happy to take my turn being the one on the other side of the convo haha.

I had a band done in 2009, waste of time. Then i had that removed because it hurt, had a sleeve done in 2013. Reflux and heartburn was horrible without an Omeprazole to stop it. I am now on my pre op liquid diet day 1 for bypass surgery. Everyone is different but if i had known all this before i would've just done the bypass. Hope this helps a bit. Any questions dont hesistate to ask, hope i can help.

Bypass is considered the "gold standard" of WLS. people statistically lose more weight at a faster rate. They are also more successful at keeping their weight off (don't jump on me for saying that, because it's statistically correct). The downfall is the malabsorption. You MUST be vigilant about taking Vitamins for the rest of your life, even more so than the sleeve. There is also statistically a higher chance of complications than the sleeve, although still low. Your surgeon is correct, if you suffer from GERD or heartburn, the sleeve may make it even worse. The bypass will usually cure it.

Neither one is magic. Both are amazing tools you will use to help you get to where you want to be health and fitness wise. Neither one will help you get up and move more or choose what you decide put into your mouth. That will be up to you

Stats are stats...we can follow them for general ideas of how we might end up, only. But every body is different. I've heard of people having heartburn before the sleeve and not having it afterwards too. I've heard of people not having heartburn before and having it after. Or having it pre and post op. I am pre-op sleeve and I deal with acid reflux based on what foods I choose. I haven't had it for a while, since I've made better choices. Who's to say I'll have heartburn after the sleeve or not? I do take stats into consideration though. I've always dealt with the reflux so it's nothing I can't handle although I wouldn't want to. But I'm having faith that I won't have to after my surgery either.

Newbie here. Unfortunately I can't answer your question because that is specifically why I am on here. The heartburn situation threw me for a loop when the doc told me that it would only get worse if I got the sleeve. I share all your same questions and concerns. Anyone out there who can help?

Thank you so much for your thoughtful AND well thought out reply! All good points. Time for more research and more research and I'm very thankful for this opportunity to reach out to others in the same situation. Now I know why my 18-year-old daughter is on her iPad so long. I've been on it for the last three hours and am just beginning!!