Negative feedback from bariatric surgeons in regards to gastric bypass

[twinkle101 9]

So far I have been to two bariatric seminars. Each time the surgeons, had negative information to share in regards to gastric bypass in comparison to the lap band and gastric sleeve. They repeatedly spoke about the complexity of the surgery, life long commitment to taking supplements and the increased possibility of leakage from stitches. I had originally settled on getting gastric sleeve, but found out my insurance does not cover it. This leaves me with two choices lap band or gastric bypass...or maybe I will need to come out of pocket for the sleeve. The doctors have kind of scared me away from the bypass. Does anyone mind sharing why they chose gastric bypass over the sleeve? Just curious and wondering if anyone had similar experience as me.

[terrydumont46 1,954]

one word. reflux. I already suffer from it and I was told the sleeve wasn't a fit for me. I revised from the band and had the same problem with it. I haven't had one episode with the gastric bypass. I like the gastric bypass it really keeps you in check. no way am I going to be able to eat around it like ppl do with sleeve and lapband. my hospital and doctor won't do lapband anymore.

[Veronica_mm 87]

Two reasons because I was set on the sleeve.

Reflux...I've dealt with that and heartburn for years

doc said it would worsen with the sleeve. Secondly, I didn't like the idea of my stomach exiting my body. I was told that in the event of an emergency they can reverse the bypass. Can't do that if the stomach is gone. So those were my to deciding factors.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Veronica_mm

[tg273957 28]

I decided on RNY because of the dumping and reflux. I dump if the sugar or fat is over a certain number and it was my control mechanism and it stopped my reflux all together. Best decision I ever made.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I also chose bypass because of the reflux issue. And I felt that personally, I needed both restriction and malabsorption in order to reach my ultimate goals. I haven't been disappointed. Good luck!

[395Ron 396]

I have not had surgery yet but I have some of the same reasons as others:

Dumping - Yes I ate too much at a meal but I also liked sweets. I wanted a good chance that I would have a negative feedback if I went back to sweets. If I also get it from too much fat well that is just an extra bonus. The extra small new stomach would also help me keep my portion size in check.

My researched led me to believe that RNY gave me the chance to lose the most amount of weight.

I only went to one seminar but I never ran into what you are talking about. Good luck.

[Ashlegal 525]

My surgeon refuses to do Lapband. He feels very strongly that it is not a safe method of WLS, While there are success stories, there are LOTS of stories that would indicate Lapband is both ineffective and comes with MANY complications.

As far as the Sleeve surgery, there just isn't enough data (compared to that of Bypass) that suggests it is a better, safer alternative.

Personally, I have known one too many people with either Sleeve or Lapband that end up needing revisions into Bypass. That information to me speaks volumes as to why choosing Bypass would be the best decision.

[Madeleine Renee 77]

I find it strange that reputable surgeons would comment negatively about the bypass.

It is the golden standard. If you have any co-morbidities, it is the only way to go.

My diabetes is in remission, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, I had 70 lbs to lose, already lost 23 lbs after 4 weeks and already, my health is so much better.

I recommend to you to do your research on other bariatric surgeons in your area or out of your area. Only a surgeon with not enough experience would make that kind of comments when research from all over the world recommend just the opposite.

[Cheri_j 117]

I did the RNY because of reflux, but more importantly, because of diabetes. I was a diabetic for over 20 years and since my surgery, my diabetes has been in remission. That in itself was worth everything.

[catwoman7 10,867]

it's a more complicated surgery, but it's been around for years and there's a lot of long-term research on it. I went with it because of that (it's the "gold standard"), and because I had acid reflux (which often gets worse with the sleeve).

I don't even think my surgeon does lapband anymore - and I had zero interest in that. It's too prone to complications.

[catwoman7 10,867]

p.s. you'll have a lifelong commitment to Vitamins regardless of the surgery. Yes, there are more Vitamins to take with the bypass, but I'm not finding it all that difficult, to be honest.

[toasty 371]

I agree with everything that's already been said here. To elaborate on one point:

The gastric bypass surgery has been performed since the mid-1960s. We have over 50 years of data on how it works and how patients do with the surgery. It has changed somewhat over that time (it is generally done laparoscopically now), but we have lots of data on it. As some have said, it is the "gold standard", shown in study after study to provide the greatest average weight loss and lowest recidivism of any of the weight loss surgeries.

The gastric sleeve and gastric band both started to be used widely in the early 2000s. There is much less long-term information on how they perform. Anecdotally, based only on the information I have read on this site, it seems that many patients have long-term difficulty with the gastric band, and some have required revision to gastric bypass.

The gastric sleeve patients seem to be generally happy with their procedure. The only negative cases I have heard about are where the gastric sleeve causes reflux; in patients who already have reflux, the gastric sleeve is likely to only make it worse. These patients sometimes require revision to gastric bypass. Studies have shown a generally lower average weight loss with gastric sleeve compared with gastric bypass.

Note that both gastric bypass and gastric sleeve require significant modification of the stomach, along with internal staples. However, in gastric sleeve, the unused stomach is removed, while with gastric bypass it remains in place. Therefore, it is possible to reverse the gastric bypass (although this is rare).

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I am surprised as most surgeons advocate strongly for bypass.

[PinkieD 27]

I second all of the above. I went to seminar sure of Roux-ny. Reflux and chance to lose the most weight. Didn't have it yet but still feel that I made the right decision.

[larac05 41]

I will be having the RNY in a few weeks. I have horrible reflux and my dr said the sleeve was not a choice for me because of that. I have no desire for the band so this was my option. I do like the fact that this procedure has been done the longest.