Hello, this is my first post...went to the bariatric seminar last night and can't decide which is for me...did anyone else waiver between the two and how did you ultimately decide? I have a lot to lose...bmi about 50 and 33 yo...want to have kids soon and no major health concerns yet...any advice would be appreciated!

Hi.....everyone has to decide what it the best for them. I chose to go with the sleeve as it is a restrictive surgery and does not affect the absorption of nutrients like the by pass.

Good luck with you journey.

Hi!! Welcome!! Do a search on this topic and you'll find may posts. For most of us, the sleeve is a healthier way to go. But, do your research and look at ALL sides and viewpoints. You need to decide for YOU and what fits your lifestyle better. Obviously i'd say the sleeve, but I don't walk in your shoes. Good luck!

Each individual person has to decide this for themselves. I personally never considered bypass. I didn't want my insides rerouted. I also knew that I didn't want to be limited on the foods I can eat (variety). I temporarily considered the band, but the sleeve was right for me. I know other people that had bypass that are loving it. They're also the type that do exactly as the doctor says to the letter. The ones that don't are the ones having problems with their bypass. I didn't want to deal with malabsorption issues either - last thing I wanted was an iron infusion or blood transfusion. I don't have those issues with my sleeve. Not everyone with a bypass has those issues either.

There are pros and cons to both. Many bypass surgeries can be reversed if necessary. A sleeve cannot. I didn't see any reason I would ever need a reversal. Some people are comforted by the fact that they can have the procedure reversed. It's something you have to decide. Write down the pros and cons of each and figure out if one of them is an absolute "deal breaker" for you on the cons side. If not, then go to the pro side - which one has the biggest "winners" for the life you WANT to lead, not the life you have NOW.

For me, when I decided to finally have WLS, I waited to decide which procedure until I met the surgeon snd discussed my health snd weighed pros and cons of each. We decided the sleeve was a better option as I do have digestive issues from time to time which I thought was my stomach but was actually my intestines. He said it would be better to not even touch them since it would be difficult to determine what was wrong in the event of a problem post-op, something surgery related or my Pre-existing problems. I was fine with whatever he thought would have less complications and a swifter recovery. Yesterday was my 1 week sleeve-versery and I've lost 13 lbs. since 10/11/12 and a total loss of 35.5 lbs. since my 1st appt. w/surgeon on 8/15/12! I am feeling better every day! Be informed and follow your heart! 

I wanted a quicker recovery & better results. The people I know that had bypass gained all the weight back after a few years. You're not seeing the weight gain after sleeve surgery. Plus it was a much simpler surgery. I just was better for me. It is the best thing I ever did. 5 years ago my friend had gastric bypass & lost 80 lbs. She now weighs about 100 lbs. more than before her surgery. Her health is bad; it's sad.

Hi,

I waivered between the RNY and sleeve also but after much thought, I've decided to go with the sleeve becuase of many of the previous answers. I want something permenant and do not want the malabsorption issues. I also feel that there are less possible complications from the surgery itself. You have to feel comfortable with your choice and no one can make that for you. Go with your gut!

My starting BMI was 65 ( I weighed 540 pounds). My BMI was 60 when i had the sleeve surgery (weighed 490). I was classified as " Super Morbidly Obese" . I had 200 + pounds to lose. When i went to see the surgeon i had my mind set on getting the lapband. After speaking with the surgeon about the lapband i removed the lapband from the discussion. The only 2 that were left was the Sleeve and the Bypass. After speaking with the surgeon for about an hour about the pro's and cons of each procedure i made the decision to have the sleeve. There is less to no malabsorption with the sleeve and the weight loss between the sleeve and the bypass are practically the same. Me being 24 the surgeon suggested to have the sleeve. My 1 year anniversary will be on November 9th and have lost 150+ pounds since then and 205 pounds overall. Best decision of my life. Ultimately this is your decision and you will have different reasons for choosing which procedure you will have, I can only tell you my story. hopefully this helps. Good luck !

One of my WL surgeons actually had the bypass. The reason why she went with this surgery is that she is addicted to sugar and one of the things you can't do with the bypass is eat sugar as it will make you violently ill. She was not a large woman at all but felt for her this was the way to go.

I think its important to have an honest discussion with your surgeon and they will guide you to what may work best for you. At the last support meeting for my surgeon's office I met a women who was being revised from the sleeve to RNY because she had gained back the weight from her sleeve surgery in 2007. She has PCOS and sometimes RNY works better for those with hormonal issues.

I think there is a chance of regain no matter what surgery you choose, you have to be diligent and follow the plan - it really is only a tool and its up to you to choose to work with it.

Wow! Thank you so much for all of the great advice and sharing your stories. You are all great inspiration. I have been leaning toward sleeve because of many of the reasons listed here. I don't feel I am an emotional eater, I am just simply always hungry!!!! I was intrigued with sleeve when the surgeon explained about the elimination of the hunger horomones...It is an exciting, nerve racking, emotional time starting this journey and I feel it is time for me to take control of my future! Thanks again!

that is a big pro for the sleeve - if you're having hunger hormone issues, the sleeve ends that - many people still have that with the bypass.

Another pro-sleeve is that the gherlin (spelling?) harmone that the stomach releases causes cravings for carbs and sugar. Together gherlin and cortisol create excess belly fat for some people when they are stressed (both good and bad stress can add to belly fat!). My stomach is huge! Throughout my life I never had a big stomach. Weight gain usually landed on hips and butt. After having 2 children, my stomach was huge (2nd daughter weighed 11'8" at birth! I was tremendous!) ever since my stomach kept getting bigger and bigger with every weight gain! I'm so excited not be a prisoner of my cravings and carb. addiction any more! Freedom!

Woah Holly! That's a big baby...god bless you!! Lol Yes, we learned and that hormone as well. Thanks!

Woah Holly! That's a big baby...god bless you!! Lol Yes' date=' we learned and that hormone as well. Thanks![/quote']

My Kimberly was a big baby. She's now 17 - is a foot taller than me and could be a model-gorgeous. (she wants to be a designer) I thank God every day neither if my two daughters inherited my 'fat genes' per se. They are fit snd trim. Eat when they are hungry. Don't when they're not. Move when they feel tired or lazy. Simple. Jeesh! It's only taking me 53 years and Bariatric surgery to have the relationship with my body that they already have! I guess I didn't f-// up so bad after all!

That is great! I am so scared when we have kids that I will pass on my bad habits or fat thinking to my children...that's why I need to get it together before I have any!