I'm scheduled for VGS Dec 19, I selected this method after much research to maintain my digestive tract. My concern is my surgical group is primarily bypass oriented but also does VGS ( 80% bypass and 20% sleeve ). It seems every person I speak to that has had WLS is a bypass, with impressive results.

I'm a relatively low BMI ( 38 ), surgery for severe hip and knee degeneration, but still need to loose 100 pounds for normal BMI. My overall health is good.

My surgeon is non committal, he simply states either option will work for me, but states he does far more bypass procedures. His group is well respected in our area and they work out of a hospital labelled as center of bariatric excellence.

I'm driving myself nuts second guessing the TYPE of procedure ( I'm mentally prepared for WLS and feel it is my best recourse ). Any help or insight would be appreciated !!! ( and yes I have searched this forum ).

MisForMimi

I too am a " pre-op ", with VSG scheduled for Dec 19. I have researched medical articles and online sources such as " bariatric pal ".

The best conclusion I have come up with is that there is no longer a " gold standard " for WLS. Advancements, changes in approach , statistics, all are influential but ultimately it seems like the final decision rests with the patient ( provided other criteria are satisfied ).

I ( as of today ! ) am still positive on VSG, I feel it will work best for me based on my specific concerns. Good luck with your research, I hope you find the method that best suits you.

Thanks, I'm leaning heavily toward the bypass, in fact, I just had my surgeon's office submit to insurance for it. It would be difficult to change now but it wouldn't require an act of congress. I've often said, I just need a surgical stop sign to stop eating. The way bypass patients go on about the 'gold standard' does seem a bit dated like going out after a VCR when DVD players are newer, less hassle and work great! Lol I've just felt like I need dumping to slow me on sugar and fats....higher percentage of resolution of my specific co-morbidities, and that extra 10-15% chance of weight loss is meaningful to me. I've maintained a 60 percent of my weight before and if I'm going under the knife, I want a greater weight loss honestly. I know sleeve patients on here drop weight like flies, but I think the sleeve (and bypass for that matter) patients here (getting support, mostly compliant, helping and encouraging others) are not the average population when you look at the numbers of WLS happening each year. Everyone has to make the decision that they predict they can live with for the rest of their lives. I'm glad you are still good with your decision!

I can't download the presentation on my device and the web address is way too long (not able to copy and paste). I will just give you the title and author so that you can Google it if interested. The upper part of the stomach is called the neo-fundus. On page 16 there is a picture of neo-fundus formation. It is a PDF document.

SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY: OUTCOMES

by Alex Gandsas

This site has compiled clinical evidence and research to show that vertical sleeve compares favorably to gastric bypass:

www.gastricsleeve.us/research.html

I have been looking into bariatric surgery since my early 20's. I was initially talked - or more appropriately - guilted - out of roux en y. I never found enough evidence or personal desire to overcome that initial hurdle to go down that path. Although I have seen bypass work for a few people, most of the people that I personally know who had it initially reveled in their ability to 'eat what they want' and still lose weight. Those same people regained as their intestines increased the ability to absorb and as they stretched their pouch one bite at a time... two are now bigger than they were when they first had the surgery. The people who followed the plan have been wildly successful and kept it off.

I have been looking at VSG for 4 years. I believe the article I read was specifically written about VSG, but I can not find it now to say one way or the other. Peer reviewed? I honestly don't know. I do know that the timing coincided with me 'realizing' that my youngest had crossed over the 'big but healthy' to the 'overweight' side... and that was enough to push me past that 20 year old conversation.

If gastric bypass is what you feel would be best for you, I think that is exactly what you should get.

I read this question as "what made YOU choose VSG".. not why someone else should choose it. I believe that, whatever form of surgery you have, if you live a healthy lifestyle afterward, you are likely to be successful. I believe that seeing mom have a healthy lifestyle, whatever the cause, will be helpful to the kids. FWIW, while looking for the article, I found a newer one (based on rats) that showed rat pups born to moms post vsg were lower birthweight till puberty, then started packing on the pounds... scientists hypothesized that it was due to the prenatal lack of exposure to mom's ghrelin.. but they're not sure. I'm not having any more kids - and I'm still planning a VSG for 10 days from now.

WL WARRIOR Thanks! I found the articles. Appreciate your effort...