(Just noticed I posted this in the Men's Room - can someone please move it to the General forum?)

Early last year I began researching WLS and decided I wanted the sleeve. I've been set on the sleeve ever since, but in going through the pre-op investigative tests earlier this year, it was discovered that I have very bad acid reflux and Barrett's, so both the bariatric surgeon and thoracic surgeon agreed I wasn't a candidate for the sleeve, and that the bypass was my only option. I really felt deflated at hearing the news, and since then have been on the fence about getting the surgery and struggling with the decision.

To me, the bypass seems much more invasive, with more risks, complications, and more unknowns, such as how nutritional malabsorption will play a role in my life down the road - 5 years, 10 years, 30 years - with brain function, osteoporosis, etc. Ulcers in my pouch. Not being able to use NSAIDs (my mother had bypass surgery and now has bad arthritis, and all she can take for it is Tylenol, which doesn't help her - and I expect I'll too have arthritis as I get older. I already take daily aspirin for blood pressure, and advil is the only pain reliever that seems to work with my headaches.). And while I am all for heavily cutting down on food portions and whatnot, the potential to never be able to eat some foods again feels a little... disturbing? And things like dumping - I don't feel I need that mechanism as part of my WLS tool, but that I'm now being forced into it. It just seems like being changed from sleeve to bypass has added an additional level of worries and possible issues to how I had initially envisioned my WLS journey.

I'm also going through feelings of guilt, like I'm cheating. I've done all the diets and a couple weight loss programs (haven't we all?), and I was successful in the sense that I've dropped from 310lbs to 205lbs, and then later from 280lbs to 200lbs. I've yo-yo'ed quite a bit, but I feel like when I work hard (and torture myself ) I can slowly get it done. Of course, it doesn't take much, just a slip or two, before the weight starts creeping back on. But the thing is, I've done it before. It's like when I quit smoking many years ago - it took me two years to finally quit, I had a lot of failures and slides, but one day it finally clicked and worked. Can't the same be true of just trying to eat healthier and exercise? And isn't that what I'll be doing anyway once I get the surgery? I don't know, I'd love to get the surgery and just move on with my life in a much healthier fashion, but part of me feels like I would be failing myself.

I'm really struggling here - the closer I get the more I'm fearful of the bypass over the sleeve, and the more I'm having second thoughts.

Anyone else go through this, or ever feel like this?

Would appreciate any and all thoughts.

Edited August 2, 201510 yr by geronimo

Just wanted to thank everyone again for your thoughts. I'm all set, surgery is in 2 weeks from today, and pre-op diet begins tomorrow!

Good luck now your choice is clear and surgery is scheduled.