Sleeve or bypass

[StephanieM 19]

I am approaching my last supervised weight loss visit with my PCP at the end of this month and have not seen my surgeon for 5 months. Initially I told my surgeon that I wanted the bypass but now am thinking I would be better off with the sleeve. I guess I am wondering what helped everyone with their decision and do I need to tell the surgeons office before they send in my insurance verification?

[par1959 470]

Both surgeries are effective. Take a look at the stats. I chose the sleeve bcause its an easier surgery and almost as effective. That being said in my support group there are people that have had both. All are happy with the results, but the sleevers ave less complication eating.

[Babbs 14,680]

I had the sleeve, my husband had the bypass. He had more weight to lose than I did. He did amazing, losing over 110 lbs in a year. His was 8 years ago, mine 4 months ago. Seemed his weight loss was much faster than mine is, but that could be several factors. I have less to lose and I'm a woman. And we were both younger 8 years ago The only complications he had was eating too much and throwing up...many times. Took him a while to learn his "full" signal. I, on the other hand, have not thrown up once. Obviously my pouch is a touch bigger than his was, so it was easier to read the full signal. He's happy with his, I'm relatively happy with mine. My weight loss is slower than others, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's because of the sleeve. I've seen people the same weight as I was when I had surgery hit goal in 6 months. The other downfall is acid reflux or GERD. If you suffer from it now, you have a higher chance of it getting even worse with the sleeve. Mine did. It was something I knew about, and hoped it wouldn't happen to me, but it did. I take medication to deal with it right now, but may have to do something different because it doesn't seem to be getting better. Just a couple things for you to consider from my experience.

Oh, and I chose the sleeve because I felt it was a little less "drastic" than the bypass, and liked the idea of being able to absorb most of the Vitamins from food, as opposed to not near as much from the bypass.

Edited January 7, 2015 by Babbs

[CheleLynn45 615]

I chose the sleeve because it seemed like a less evasive surgery. I didn't want my innards re routed. I also didn't like some of the side effects of the bypass. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet for insurance approval and in that time I researched and learned what I would have to do to be productive after the sleeve. I knew I could do it and I am doing it. My recovery was wonderful and nothing like I expected. I kept saying this is weird everytime I didn't have an issue or problem with something I tried.

I have not had any dumping or throwing up issues, but I also have followed my surgeons orders pretty much to the letter. I really believe that has made the most difference in where I am today.

A friend at work had the bypass around 9 years ago, she said she still throws up all the time. YUCK, But it is because she eats things she shouldn't and she does drink alcohol here and there. So I think with any of the surgeries if you do what you are suppose to 90% of the time you can avoid things like this. Just my two cents!!

Good Luck with whatever you decide, make sure to let us know!!

[Karenlrn 41]

You definitely need to decide before submitting to insurance so they approve you for what you want to have done. I have the sleeve since 12/29/2014. I'm happy with it so far. I chose it because I wanted my digestion and absorption to be more normal.

[dropdeadweightdiva 150]

The insurance thing I am quite certain needs the specific type of surgery listed as I know people that had their surgery denied because they changed their mind and therefore their surgery was delayed until the switch was made. As far as which one that is a 50/50 choice. Agree with previous post that if you have any kind of acid reflux then lean is definitely towards bypass. I had no issue with it previously but now post sleeve it was horrible for me for the first 4 months and has tapered off dramatically but can still be an issue now and then. If you have a very strong sweet tooth then the bypass is the preferred option as I could graze on sweets all day long and my sleeve wouldn't argue. Although some sleevers do experience dumping. I have no regrets with my choice, but also have friends who had bypass that are thrilled with their results. Good luck, just do your research and take your doctors lean into consideration.

[StephanieM 19]

Thanks for all the info! I am definitely leaning towards the sleeve. I am so grateful to have found this site, I have felt so alone and lost during this journey. Love the support!