No single type of weight loss surgery is right for everyone. Choices like the adjustable gastric band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve each have their pros and cons. 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.
• I was too “small” to qualify for bypass or sleeve, so the lap-band was my best option.
• 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.
• I got the gastric sleeve because I’m a heavier patient and this was a lower-risk choice.
• I got the gastric bypass because of the restrictions on sugary foods.
• I chose my surgery based on the complication rates and expected weight loss. See which one I chose in the discussion below!
• I have revisional weight loss surgery. Read what happened and why I got it converted in the discussion below!
• Other. See my choice and reasons in the discussion below!

Mark your answer, and feel free to explain it in the conversation below. We want to know what you think about the different types of weight loss surgery!

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 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!!!

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!!!!!

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.

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!

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I ended up with the sleeve because of too much scar tissue. However, I'm glad it turned out that way. I struggled much with protein and water intake.

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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.

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.

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