Should or shouldn't. Is it worth it?

[tattooedmum72 7]

I am just wondering, I've heard so much negative things about the bypass surgery. I am approved for it. I'd like to know....is it actually worth it?

[IcanMakeit 1,319]

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?

[sheliasworld 10]

It's your choice but I have heard a lot more choose sleeve and some that had bypass wished they did the sleeve!

[ProjectMe 909]

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.

[SuzeMuze 338]

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

[tattooedmum72 7]

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

[Elode 8,093]

I have friends with GB and they are doing fabulous!

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

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!

[tattooedmum72 7]

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.

[Bandista 7,466]

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!

[tattooedmum72 7]

Thank you very much. It means so much to have all you guys sharing UR journeys with me. It's making me more at ease with the discussion of wls

[foodfighter78 258]

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.

[tattooedmum72 7]

I have reflux too... U must be from the states..it's covered for us in Canada ...the Optifast and Vitamins aren't covered.

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@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!

[foodfighter78 258]

I have reflux too... U must be from the states..it's covered for us in Canada ...the Optifast and Vitamins aren't covered.

Most insurance cover the sleeve here but I have tricare and they don't cover it.