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Why Did You Choose Your Specific Type of Weight Loss Surgery?



Why Did You Choose Your Specific Type of Weight Loss Surgery?  

107 members have voted

  1. 1. How did you decide which surgery to get? If you haven’t had surgery yet, how are you making your decision?

    • My insurance only covers one type – read my answer below to find out which kind.
      2
    • I was too “small” to qualify for bypass or sleeve, so the lap-band was my best option.
      1
    • I chose the lap-band because it is adjustable; maybe I’ll become pregnant or get sick and need to eat extra food sometime in the future.
      6
    • I got the gastric sleeve because I’m a heavier patient and this was a lower-risk choice.
      20
    • I got the gastric bypass because of the restrictions on sugary foods.
      7
    • I chose my surgery based on the complication rates and expected weight loss. See which one I chose in the discussion below!
      35
    • I have revisional weight loss surgery. Read what happened and why I got it converted in the discussion below!
      3
    • Other. See my choice and reasons in the discussion below!
      33


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I picked the bypass because i need to lose more than 100 pounds. And after talking with my weight loss specialist it seems to be the better option for me.

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I picked the bypass because i need to lose more than 100 pounds. And after talking with my weight loss specialist it seems to be the better option for me.

I'm disappointed that there is only one response here. I have a band (slipped), and would love to know whether the sleeve or bypass would be better or has worked better and why. Once you leave the land of the Banded, you really only have a few choices. And they're not reversible, anymore input would be awesome ????

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I chose the sleeve because it was a permanent option vs the band. Also, I wasn't too happy about having a device inside of me and I wanted to lose more than 100 lbs. 8 months later I am 111 pounds down and still losing. Couldn't be happier!!!

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I picked the bypass because i need to lose more than 100 pounds. And after talking with my weight loss specialist it seems to be the better option for me.

I'm disappointed that there is only one response here. I have a band (slipped), and would love to know whether the sleeve or bypass would be better or has worked better and why. Once you leave the land of the Banded, you really only have a few choices. And they're not reversible, anymore input would be awesome ????

I was a successful bander until it eroded .. Last year I revised to bypass . Sleeve wasn't even an option for me. Reason being I wasn't going to have "another wls surgery again" I wanted this to be the last one and my doctor said the sleeve is sometimes the first step to bypass.. I wanted the gold standard.. It's so much easier than the band was and I am wayyy healthier now than I was then. I can eat chicken and veggies no problem!!!!!

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The RNY was my third a final choice. It was the top recommendation of my surgical team.

My first choice, Lap Band is no longer performed at mayo Clinic.

My second choice, a DD Switch, was thought to be better for folks with a sweet tooth.

The Doc & his minions said for folks like me who love fats and salty foods RNY gives best results.

I am very happy I trusted myself in their hands. They are, after all, the experts.

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Sleeve. It's not reversible which was important for me; I can still get most of my nutrients from food, few absorption problems. Great choice, couldn't be happier!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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It was a compromise. I didn't like the idea of a band because it is technically only restrictive (and quite reversible), and I didn't like a bypass because it was malabsorptive. I already had issues with some micronutrients, and I also foresee a future where I might need to take one or two NSAIDS.
The sleeve was perfect. Non reversible so no excuses, and also had the possibility of affecting hormonal signals associaated with overeating. My problem was never snacking. I ate twice or 3 times a day, but they were quite massive and carb laden. The restriction would take care of portion sizes, and the hormonal part would reduce the desire to eat.

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I was dead set on SADI-S... I like the idea of restriction and malabsorption and the high chance of losing all of my excess weight and low chance of regain... however my nerves got the best of me and I decided to go with VSG instead because I'm going to Mexico and all of the what if's came to mind. While I'm worried I won't lose enough to get close to my goal weight I've looked at girls who are at my starting weight and height and see where they are now and I would be comfortable if I got there and didn't meet my goal... plus if I have some fat left over I can get my BBL lol... the $2,000 price difference also helped me make up my mind and I'm ok with the change now and super excited for VSG.


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I started this wanting the sleeve but understood that my medical team may think differently. I chose the sleeve because it did not change the biological function of how my body processed foods. Because of this I learned that there are fewer complications down the road.

I would say research and discuss with your medical team.


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Oh, I I loved the idea of getting rid of most of those nasty grelins...the hunger hormone.


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I got the gastric sleeve because I’m a heavier patient and this was a lower-risk choice.

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I was diabetic. It was my surgeon that suggested RNY would be a better option as it’s better for diabetics.


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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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