What was the deciding factor?

[Chelsea Marshall 3]

Hey everyone! This is my first post. I am in the early stages of going through a 6 month program for bariatric surgery.I am currently leaning towards having the vertical sleeve gatrectomy but my nutritionist says that I should consider having the bypass because I already have reflux. Has anyone had this same issue? what was your deciding factor in deciding which procedure to have?

[Titaniumsleeved2014 42]

Hi, Chelsea I wish my nutritionist had told me that I have the sleeve and my reflux is extremely bad since I've been sleeved. So make sure you ponder on which procedure you want because now I'm in the process of trying to have a revision done from the sleeve to the bypass. I wish I had been informed...

Hi, Chelsea I wish my nutritionist had told me that I have the sleeve and my reflux is extremely bad since I've been sleeved. So make sure you ponder on which procedure you want because now I'm in the process of trying to have a revision done from the sleeve to the bypass. I wish I had been informed...

[sbg224 318]

I had reflux for years, and the NP tried to talk me into the bypass, but I wanted the sleeve. I discussed it with both the surgeon and the GI doc and both said it does not necessarily make or cause the reflux, and my surgeon was on board for the sleeve, so that's what i went for. Listen to the docs not the NUT, that's my opinion. I am 19 days post up and take 1 pepcid at bedtime, but we'll see. Good luck

[Miss Mac 6,261]

I had bad reflux and esophagitis and got sleeved 12/23/2013. I have had no problem with relux since my surgey.

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@Chelsea Marshall

I was in the same boat. Had planned to have sleeve but had reflux. After doing a lot of research it was very clear to me that I wanted to go through 1 surgery 1 time. I went with the bypass and never regretted it.

If I were you I would start looking at the revision statistics before ultimately deciding. If you already have reflux, there is a very good chance it will get worse with the sleeve.

With bypass, your chances of reflux completely going a way is very very good.

I had it bad prior to surgery, since surgery I have not had reflux at all. They took me off reflux mess 30 days post surgery and I no longer have that expense.

[Mike4132 256]

I had reflux and still went with the sleeve. I take Dexilant for the reflux and it controls it. I now take less than I did before surgery.

Biggest factors in my decision was that the sleeve has less ability to stretch, it's less invasive, and if ever needed it can be converted into a bypass at a later date. (I don't see the need though as weight loss and maintenance is pretty easy with the sleeve.)

[dancingqueene 182]

I have been reseaching for 5 years and I can tell you (as my MD office will too) that the sleeve can stretch just as far, if not further, than the RNY and is no longer considered less ivasive. The surgery actually takes longer than the RNY and there is a higher risk of complication vs RNY. But, in regards to GERD or reflux, it goes both ways. It can make it worse if you already have it. It's unlikely you will come off meds for that reason w/ the sleeve although it does happen. I too, have bad GERD and an eroded esphogus and wanted the sleeve. After more reseach and such I have decided on the RNY. The sleeve can put more pressure on your esophugus because the sleeve sits up higher in your abdomen.

[Daisee68 2,493]

I find it so interesting that so many people say sleeve is less invasive. It's what I thought too and ended up doing RNY because of acid reflux and because I never wanted to have to go through a 2nd surgery converting to bypass like some have to do. With the sleeve, they remove 85% of your stomach from your body. They can't put that back! I'm not sure how that is less invasive. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of people who have great success with the sleeve, but please don't just do that because you consider it less invasive. It took me time to come around to agreeing to RNY but I sure am glad I did in the end. RNY is the gold standard with many many years of results and reseach. There are a lot of threads on here about the exact same topic. You will see lots of differing opinions. In the end it is a decision only you and your surgeon can make but don't be afraid of RNY. Once you research it more, you will see it is nothing to be feared.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had several episodes of bad acid reflux and my surgeon recommended RNY. I concurred and went ahead with RNY. I am 27 months post-op. After surgery there was no episodes of GERD. So it was a good decision for me.