Sleeve vs Bypass

[Chocolate Butterfly 2]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this community. I went to a seminar on the various procedures with my mind set on a VSG. Well, by the time I left I felt like I went to a car dealership looking for a Mercedes, but left with booklets on custom Phantom or Maybach. The surgeon was ALL ABOUT THE BYPASS being better with loads of data. I scheduled my surgeon consult with a different surgeon & I'm dreading the same result. I would love & appreciate your stories. The good, bad and ugly. I want to make a sound (non - emotional) decision. Thanks!

[Miss Mac 6,261]

If there were no urgent reason for a bypass, or a complicated hernia situation to consider, this would smell like the old bait-and -switch trick. Given that, I would think that the surgeon just simply has more experience with the bypass and is more confident in his/her surgical skills in that regard. Who knows? Maybe you will get a different answer. However, if the second surgeon also feels that a bypass would be a safer procedure and give you better long-term results, then that is probably the way to go. I went to the bariatric clinic expecting a lap-band and ended up with a sleeve.

[della street 213]

Agree, it sounds like maybe that's the surgeon's preference -- just went to my seminar and the surgeon was very open to either sleeve or bypass, depending on patient's needs/medical issues, etc. It wasn't one is way better than the other -- definitely get a second opinion!

[auntiemel 275]

I had one surgeon tell me that I needed bypass not vsg. I wasn't comfortable with that. I found a different surgeon who performed the sleeve. I wasn't too keen on having my intestines messed with and he was a great help and supporter.

[Spicy06 175]

When I went to my seminar they gave us information about the sleeve, the bypass, and lap band. I too do not like the idea of my organs being rerouted. I figure God put them that way for a reason, far be it from me to change what he did. I like the idea of the sleeve because it reduces my stomach size, but leaves the rest of my insides alone. The thing I liked about the seminar was it gave you all the information and allowed you to choose. Do the research and find out which one is best for you. Then find a doctor who will do it. Where I am going they have two different providers. One is an expert in Lap Band and Bypass, the other is an expert at the sleeve. I went to both of them, go the information on both and chose the sleeve.

[Rogofulm 2,440]

We don't know what other issues you may have, so it's hard to know why the surgeon recommended the bypass. A friend of mine got it because it would improve his diabetes more quickly. But I was also type 2 diabetic on insulin and pills, and my blood sugar levels were completely normal -- without any medication -- within two weeks. Now I'm not in the medical profession, so this is just my personal opinion, but, here was my thought process on why I chose the sleeve.

• I "only" had 111 pounds to lose.
• Even though the bypass can result in slightly quicker weight loss, this is a long-term deal.
• Long-term results for all three surgeries are turning out to be about the same.
• The bypass is more invasive than I cared for. And I worried about malabsorption issues.
• I'ts scary enough to give up 80% of your stomach without re-routing it to your intestine.
• The sleeve surgery removes the part of the stomach that produces Ghrelin (the hunger hormone). I like that!
• I'm not positive about this, but my sense is that the sleeve leaves you with the less-stretchy muscle part of the stomach, while the bypass creates a pouch from the stretchy part. That made me worry about stretching out the pouch. I believe the sleeve has less elasticity.

So that's one person's thought process in choosing the sleeve. As stated by other responders, you may have other issues that would make the bypass advisable, and you should consult with another doctor or two before moving forward. Also, whatever doctor you decide on, you should check out their credentials and success rates.

Good luck!

[10 28 2014 45]

The first surgeon I saw (who I loved, but was not an in network provider) said that in his opinion bypass is on its way out because of the continued success of the sleeve. I went in already knowing I didn't want the band and also didn't really want to mess with my plumbing ???? Stick with your gut!

[Chocolate Butterfly 2]

Thanks everyone. I decided to see the surgeon who performed the first sleeve procedure in our state. I asked a few of his patients about their experiences. They all said the same thing - he is honest & informative with a great bedside manner. I'm looking forward to my appt this Thursday.

[Chocolate Butterfly 2]

And yes....I'm leaning toward the sleeve for the very reasons you all mentioned. I just want my stomach to hold less, to actually feel full and leave my plumbing as it is. ????

[auntiemel 275]

You will feel so full after so little food lol...I was part of the clean plate club and ate second helpings, now I give away my extra food. I'm only 6 weeks out and it's amazing!