Sleeve versus bypass. Want all feedback

[meledl 6]

Ok. I'm 1.5 yrs out from removal of my lapband. I am having revision on may 5th and I still can't decide which one. I've read all the statistics and complications. Below are my fears with each one Please tell me your stories, to help me make the best decision

Sleeve fears

1. Reflux. I don't have it now but had it so badly with my band. It was horrible.

2. Potential for another surgery

Bypass fears

1. I have rheumatoid arthritis I don't take NSAIDs now...but what if I need them one day

2. Malabsorption/anemia

3. Antidepressants. I have had severe depression in the past and am now stable with extended release Wellbutrin. Don't want to acre that up

Any thoughts?

[kltklass 144]

Everyone is different and will have different opinions on which surgery is the best option. What it all boils down to is what works for you. That being said, Have you spoken with your surgeon to discuss what is best for you and what will meet your needs?

I love my sleeve, it works well for me. Good luck to you in making your decision.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

Ok. I'm 1.5 yrs out from removal of my lapband. I am having revision on may 5th and I still can't decide which one. I've read all the statistics and complications. Below are my fears with each one Please tell me your stories, to help me make the best decision Sleeve fears 1. Reflux. I don't have it now but had it so badly with my band. It was horrible. 2. Potential for another surgery Bypass fears 1. I have rheumatoid arthritis I don't take NSAIDs now...but what if I need them one day 2. Malabsorption/anemia 3. Antidepressants. I have had severe depression in the past and am now stable with extended release Wellbutrin. Don't want to acre that up Any thoughts?

Hmmm, let's see,

Sleeve

1, reflux-I've had considerably less since my surgery. I have heard of some ppl getting it, but not my experience.

2. Potential for another surgery- like converting to a bypass? That's pretty rare. Did you have the LapBand removed due to product failure/erosion? Or did it not work for you? Everyone that I know of that converted to sleeve are much happier.

RNY

All of your concerns are valid. But to be honest, I have not personally had an RNY so all I can talk about is my dad's wife who had it done. NOT PRETTY. Yes she lost a lot of weight quickly, and she looks great, however, she too was prescribed meds for an imbalance. It took years to get her new meds right & get her back to normal.

Granted, this was years ago, the medical community is learning everyday. It is just my tendency to lean toward the least invasive effective treatment possible. Which IMO is the sleeve. No foreign objects in your body(except a few staples) and you get to keep all your parts sans the stretchy part of the stomach.

[ziggypbang 272]

Hello friend,

I've had SO much less reflux since my sleeve. In fact, I can't remember a single instance of reflux. I didn't get it regularly before, other than when I was pregnant, but I did get it a couple times a month. That seems now to be a thing of the past.

My gut tells me I would have gone for the RNY had I been diabetic, or had a lot more weight to lose than I did. I think 100 pounds on a sleeve is totally do-able for me, and no malabsorption or dumping issues. I am very happy with my decision, and yes, I love my sleeve! Best wishes!!!

[Rena's got this 274]

I had really bad reflux before my sleeve. Found out that I had a hiatal hernia, which the surgeon repaired during the sleeve procedure. I have had absolutely no reflux since the surgery. It is wonderful not to have to eat Tums and Prilosec all the time.

I've heard that the sleeve procedure is sometimes used as the first surgery for those really overweight individuals, with the bypass being the second surgery, once they have lost a certain amount.

My sister in law had the bypass done last April. She is now 114 pounds at 5'2" and says she still has problems getting enough Protein down. She has gotten a little two thin in my opinion, and I think she is concerned about the malabsorption problem.

I am only 6 weeks out, but have not ever had problems taking pills, even while I was still in the hospital. They did tell me not to take nsaids however. I think those are rough on the stomach.

It all comes down to what you are most comfortable with. I'm happy with my decision.

[shmily 424]

Do your research and talk with your Doctor, then decide what is best for YOU

[Chelly 364]

I had gastric bypass and I am on anti depressants and one of them is Wellbutrin and my doctor has me take it three times a day and it works just fine.

No problems with depression meds what so ever.

Now with reflux I was told by my gastric doctor before I even had surgery that with the sleeve my Gerds would get worse and that is why I had the bypass surgery.

I have had no problems with anemia since having the surgery I did in the past.

I have had no problems with malabsorption either.

Well I have fibromyalgia, osteo arthritis, stenosis of the spine and a few other things and I've been able to cope without NSAIDS just fine.

There are alternatives to those that are non narcotic and work well.

A pain specialist would help you find the right one for you.

So good luck in your decision which ever way you go.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Chelly

[PdxMan 4,292]

Just want to echo Rena's thoughts. I had really bad reflux prior and had to keep a container of Tums in multiple locations. I had a hiatal hernia repair during surgery and ever since then, I have had Tums only once when I worked late one night, came home and ate something and then when directly to bed. So, it was't smart and not unexpected.

I have a cousin and his sister both had the bypass about 4 years ago. He is doing great, but she has had issues with bowel obstructions.

Edited April 9, 2014 by PdxMan

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

meledl,

I have terrible arthritis in my spine and my knees are completely shot. I had the sleeve because I didn't want the malabsorption problems which come with the bypass. I was on 500 mg. of Naproxin taken twice daily before sugery.

I took an antidepressent before the surgery and was actually given Zoloft while still in the hospital after surgery. I was able to wean myself off of Zoloft after surgery.

I'll be honest, going without the prescription NSAID for several weeks after surgery was inconvienent. It's a lot easier to swallow a pill than to use what I was prescribed after the surgery. I was prescribed Voltarin, a topical cream that somewhat takes the place of an NSAID taken by mouth. It helped me to get through the transition time when I was loosing enough weight to make a difference in my joints.

Now that I've lost enough weight to take some of the stress off the joints, I don't even use the Voltarin regularly anymore. I can actually use Tylenol for the pain if it gets too bad.

Like others have said, Do your research and then decide what is best for you.

I wish you the best with whatever surgery you decide to have.

Kathleen

[Bandarella 223]

A concern with RNY is that malabsorption of calories only lasts about 2-3 years post op. This is why so many regain a significant amount of weight with RNY. The malabsorption of nutrients (Vitamins and minerals) continues even when calories are absorbed, so raking Vitamins and supplements must be continued.

With sleeve, there is about a six month post op window when reflux happens. It's thought that the stomach needs about this much time to reduce the amount of acid it produces. Most sleevers take a ppi for the first six months and them taper off. A virgin sleeve is much different than a revision sleeve....if someone is wavering between band and sleeve, I will recommend sleeve, since many with bands revise to sleeve...why not get it first?

I was on a ppi for 10 years pre band for gerd, went off of it for about a year post band, but the gerd returned with a vengeance. Almost a year post removal and I'm still on it.

I cannot revise, but hope the info helps in making your decision. Best of luck to you!

[JanetPRN 496]

Another sleeve person here- I had horrible reflux prior , in fact , the GERD qualified me to have my sleeve surgery . Since surgery 6 months ago, the GERD has improved dramatically. I am still on meds for it, but no longer feel any discomfort at all. This is my experience only but thought I would share.

Edited April 12, 2014 by JanetPRN

[RNBSN786 206]

It's a choice that you would have to make that works best for you. I was going for the sleeve and decided to go for RNY because I wanted to get rid of acid reflex and not have to deal with diabetes or high blood pressure or sleep apnea. My surgeon sat down and told me the differences and he said for long run RNY is a better way to go than sleeve. And I also didn't want to revise anything later on and wanted to do what's right for me. As far as being on anti-depressants, I stopped taking them the day I came home from my surgery. Typically I would have spoken to the psych and decrease the dosage and slowly get rid of it completely. But of course I didn't do that and just stopped them on my own. Do I feel depressed? Nope I don't. But I do still get anxious...so next week is my first follow up after my surgery which has been 10 days now and I will speak to them about my anxiety.

Either way I think you can only make the best decision for yourself and what works best for you. Being scared of the surgery was the last thing on my mind cause I am an RN and I am ok with surgeries. Best of luck and I know you will make the right decision for yourself.