Bypass vs sleeve

[AngelWingz 0]

My fam dr is suggesting i do the full bypass...my surgeon is suggesting i do the sleeve...im 35...275...and 5'1...what are the pro's & con's...im afraid if i do the sleeve evential i will have to do the full bypass...i heard of ppl having to do so...any advice???

[NewMeLinZ 66]

Sleeve is just as good as bipass and you will have less malabsorption/ dumping with doing the sleeve. Sleeve is becoming the new way to go. I think you will be very happy with it.

[Djmohr 6,965]

You need to do some research on each of these before making a decision. Everything depends on your specific health issues. The reason to think about bypass vs. sleeve is whether or not you struggle with Gerd/reflux. The sleeve can make this worse, the bypass can make it go away for good. There are a ton of posts on this exact topic on this site. It is a very common question, I might suggest doing a search on this topic.

Also there is a ton of information on line and I am sure your doctors with give you the pros and cons of each.

I was planning on sleeve only to find out that it could make my situation worse based on my health issues. I had RNY bypass and every single one of my comorbities are gone now. I could not be happier.

It is very difficult to answer your question when we don't know your health history.

Good luck to you! Keep us posted on your decision.

[Djmohr 6,965]

And by the way, malabsorption is nothing to be afraid of. In fact it aids tremendously in weight loss. You just need to make sure you take your supplements which you would have to take with the sleeve as well.

As for dumping syndrome there are many people who do not have that situation with the bypass including me. I have yet to get sick and I am six months post op and down 83 lbs.

Incidentally I have seen folks with the sleeve on this site mention that they do get a version of dumping.

[AngelWingz 0]

Thank u both for all the great info...this month is only my 2nd nutritional class...i have 4 more to go before i can get the surgery...i used to get reflux but havent had it in months now...but the main thing with me is heart murmur...asthma...high blood pressure...arthritis in neck/back...and diabetes & cancer run HIGH in my family on both sides...so i'd like to get ahead of the game so to speak since my health isnt terrible yet

[AngelWingz 0]

Djmohr congrats on the weight loss...thats amazing!!!

[jenpoo 11]

I'm sorry you're afraid.I am going to go for the bypass I am 5ft6 and I weigh,244 I feel the bypass wool be better for me your stomach is smaller and your small testen will be attached to the stomach the only thing is you will have to a multi Vitamin for the rest of your life but that is no big deal.it will be fine.

[AngelWingz 0]

Jenpoo...more & more im leaning toward the bypass as well...im excited for the new beginning...i just want to make sure i choose the best procedure

[clarks8727 0]

I am getting the sleeve and I have a list of medical problems. The sleeve and bypass are both helpers with medical problems. I do have reflux but the sleeve dose not always make reflux worse it can make it go away.

[AngelWingz 0]

I wish i could have the surgery now...4 more months of nutrition classes seems soooo far away

[blondebomb 580]

going to jump in here! I had the sleeve done 10 months ago. I had 2 of my specialist one being my internist I have over 12 dx's been sick for so long these 2 sent me for the sleeve since no rerouting of organs when I got to my surgeon he asked me what I wanted and he agreed with me that with the medications I take the sleeve would be great. no dumping here, no mal-absorption blood work is awesome I am down over 100 pds no Hair loss. my highest weight was 272 since I wasn't over 300 it was ideal for me. I have had 2 friends who had the bypass 1 didn't reach her goal and in fact put it all back on the other one made her goal she's alot older then me and has gained back some but yet stable. I don't know your health issues but my bp is normal, no insulin issues my only complaint or regret is that I didn't have this yrs ago to get my health under control! the sleeve is the procedure that is running in the forefront . I didn't want my organs moved or rearranged. and its the best decision I ever made. but its each persons decision. do your homework. I would go with the dr you trust more. and for me that was my surgeon. mine had been doing these ever since they began and his success rate is up top. I trusted his opinion of what he thought would be best for me and all my health issues and of course he being the expert and I have several autoimmune diseases and I have never been happier! best wishes in your decision and keep us posted as to what you decide..

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Thank u both for all the great info...this month is only my 2nd nutritional class...i have 4 more to go before i can get the surgery...i used to get reflux but havent had it in months now...but the main thing with me is heart murmur...asthma...high blood pressure...arthritis in neck/back...and diabetes & cancer run HIGH in my family on both sides...so i'd like to get ahead of the game so to speak since my health isnt terrible yet

Since you mention arthritis you should know that some surgeons don't allow NSAIDS for life after the sleeve. And most OTC and prescription drugs that treat arthritis are in that family.

Additionally, if you don't have GERD you can develop it post-sleeve and if you do have GERD the sleeve can make it worse. Also the research on the by-pass shows that it can eliminate GERD in many cases.

As others have said - look on the sleeve and by pass forums for information on the pros and cons of each and good luck with your decision.

[AngelWingz 0]

Thank u both...im going to research both more & discuss them both again w/my surgeon...i lucked out & got assigned the actual director of bariatric surgery at John Hopkins Bay View in Baltimore Maryland...so he really knows his stuff

[majorsmama 91]

My surgeon said he really only recommends gastric bypass for his patients who have type 2 diabetes because something about the bypass is better at curing it. But the sleeve is basically what he suggests for 90% of his patients because it doesn't re-route the stomach and it's easier on the patient and works as well for weight loss.

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

The main difference is that sleeve only limits how much you can eat, but bypass limits you and then limits how much you absorb. The bypass does have a higher rate of weight loss, but the difference isn't huge.

I was 30 when I started the process and weighed 295. I am 5'3". I weighed 275 when I was approved for the procedure. While all the options were presented to me, it was ultimately my decision. I told both my PCP and My surgeon that I wanted to do the sleeve and they were both happy that i chose that. I am now 2 weeks post op and am down to 245.

How much willpower do you have? Will you be able to CHOSE to eat healthier foods? Will you exercise?

Weight regain can happen with either procedure. It boils down to what procedure you are more comfortable with and what your surgeon thinks is the best. Your surgeon knows a lot more about WLS than your PCP. Talk to both and see why they recommend one over the other. A lot of people don't realize how long the sleeve has been being done and automatically suggest the bypass.