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Should or shouldn't. Is it worth it?



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No one can make your final decision for you, but everyone I know who had the bypass is happy that they went through with it. What does your doctor recommend?

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I chose the sleeve. My good friend chose bypass. We're both happier and healthier. Do the research, talk to your surgeon, and choose the best WLS for you.

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I'll put in my two cents worth and say yes, without a doubt... if your head is in the game. I don't think ANY diet or tool (and WLS of any kind is a tool, not a cure) is successful if you're not willing to make a lifelong change to your attitude about food and the role it plays in your life. I spent decades on the weight roller coaster because I simply liked sugar too much- some folks have much deeper issues with food addiction and the like.

I'm also not going to blow sunshine up anyone's tailpipe and say it's been a skip through the garden the whole time. It's HARD to make that permanent change in what you eat, how you eat and when you eat. I'm nearly 5 months post op and still learning what I can and can't tolerate...and it's not even consistent. Eating out is generally a failure because the vast majority of stuff that's served in restaurants are nutritional nightmares for bariatric patients.

However...for me, gastric bypass has resulted in more physical changes than just the rerouting of my innards and over 60 pounds off my frame. Once I got over the pre-op detox hump of a sugarless life, I don't even want it now. I can easily go all day long on 3 Water bottles of Protein shake and not even think about eating till dinnertime. I get my Protein, Water and Vitamins easily. Everyone has their moments of "regret" I suppose, but my health is better now than it was in my 20's, and I'd never have gotten here without WLS. Truth be told, the actual surgical procedure and recovery is the easy part. <points to her head> The changes up here were much harder to make once and for all :)

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I really appreciate everyone's input. I met with my dietitian and shrink today.. One step closer to meeting surgeons. I may not have a choice between the sleeve or not. I've had 3 abdominal surgeries last year and one in 2008. I may have to much scar tissue and only left with the sleeve as an option. I know it's not a "diet" or quick fix. For me it's not just weight. My bmi wasn't high enough. But other health issues helped me qualify. I need my life from this moment on to be changed. I suffered being overweight, having an eating disorder. So for my life to improve.. I need it. As well as almost two weeks I've been back at the gym. First time since 2012. Feeling great about it

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I have friends with GB and they are doing fabulous!

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This may or may not help, but I had the sleeve for one specific reason: diabetes. I had a number of complications from the "D" word already setting in, and if I wanted to get rid of it this was, according to my Dr., the only "cure" for it. So I did it, back in December, and all signs of the "D" are gone! The sleeve allows me to continue taking N-Saids for my arthritis, whereas with the RNY ulcers can be a real issue if you need to take N-Saids. As most of us end up with some type of arthritis as we age, my recommendation would be for the sleeve. I don't think people really think about the N-Said issue (some folks are younger and haven't had arthritis issues yet, but that doesn't mean it won't become a problem down the road, and for me, I like to be able to reduce my pain by taking something for it) so if it is an issue for you, think about it!

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Yes I believe it will be the sleeve only because of all the scar tissue from

Past surgeries, but anything is possible. I have diabetes too and sugars R as high as 28. I've notice things are happening to my body from

High sugars, I also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease and sleep apnea, along with chronic pain. And really im not that old to have all these health issues. I wish I had more support.

Most of my friends tell me I don't need it and to just diet, I've tried diets.. Gain back. Another friend told me everyone she knows after two years they gain in back. I believe this is my only option. I have starts back to the gym, Almost two weeks. Haven't lost a lb. I've given up weighting myself because I set myself up for the failure of not loosing and being hard on myself.

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Congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future -- weight loss surgery (whatever kind) is so empowering! It's an amazing thing to get the appetite monster off of your back once and for all. We all get it about the years of failed diets, beating ourselves up, etc. No more of that. I think not looking at the scale is a great plan. For me it was much better to pay attention to how my pants were fitting (or not fitting!). Keep that in mind as you go forward and way to go on the exercising. I stepped my working out up prior to surgery and I know it made me heal faster and kicked my body into a new mode. Good luck with all the great things ahead of you!

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I wanted to do the sleeve but my insurance only pay for bypass and band, so my choice is the bypass. We appeal about the insurance decision, and my surgeon speak with them, about the sleeve success etc. but insurance said that for them sleeve doesn't have long term success for them to pay, yet they pay for the band ????? Oh well. at the end I think bypass will be ok for me I do have lot of reflux and I heard that reflux can get worse with reflex.

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@@tattooedmum72, you definately need to talk with your surgeon. Here's the thing, the sleeve can make reflux even worse. Most patients that suffer from reflux or Gerd are moved over to RNY for that very reason.

RNY gastric bypass can resolve all of those things you listed.

I was dead set on going with the sleeve and after I was told by the bariatric team that the best surgery for me was bypass because of this issue I was initially devastated. I met with my gastroenterologist and he confirmed that I would be making a mistake and would possibly be looking at a revision to bypass down the road.

I had my RNY completed on sept. 29. I left the hospital with no medication for diabetes. Within 30 days I was removed from nexium, cholesterol drugs and high blood pressure drugs. I have never regretted making the decision to bypass. I only wish I would have done it a lot sooner.

There is a reason RNY is the gold standard.

Please do all your research so you only have to go through this once. There is a ton of it on this site and of course leverage your bariatric center, if in the end the only option is sleeve because of your scar tissue issue, then make sure your surgeon has a solid plan to address the reflux issue before moving forward.

Good luck to you, I hope all goes well. Regardless of what you choose it is absolutely positively worth it!

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

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

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • 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!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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!

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