Sleeve or Bypass?

[emc28 1]

Hi Everyone!!

I had my first meeting with my surgeon today. He said I was a candidate for either the sleeve or bypass. He explained both procedures and told me to do research to decide.

I am currently 300 lbs. would love to be at a goal weight of 180 or 190.

Any thoughts or advice??

Thanks!!

[rking 484]

I would not do bypass because of malabsorption. I take several prescription meds and cannot afford for them to not be absorbed. I LOVE the sleeve. Lot less complicated surgery in my opinion.

[sassyfrass23 525]

Do you have diabetes or any other comorbidities? I'm going with the bypass per my surgeon's recommendation. I have PCOS which causes me to be pre-diabetic/insulin resistant. The bypass has proven to make more of an impact on my disease and the issues I battle with from it.

[Proud2BMe 1,016]

Most doctors are moving away from bypass because sleeve produces nearly the same results but with less risks of complications. However, you need to decide what is right for you. I would research both and find out what would be best for me.

[tera1982 194]

I am a type-1 diabetic(it'll never go away, unlike type-2 that can be reversed) on an insulin pump. I also have high blood pressure and cholesterol. My first meeting with my surgeon, he gave me the option of either bypass or sleeve, with his opinion being sleeve. I asked about the history of bypass and its success with controlling diabetes and he said that the sleeve produces almost identical results, without the malabsorption issues. I did a TON of research as well as stalking this site for my entire 6-month supervised weight loss and decided on the sleeve(sleeved 12/08/15). I don't know why but I was kind of creeped out with the idea of my intestines being rerouted and stuff just "hanging around" in there. Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the bypass at all; it has proven success rates that you can't deny, but the sleeve was just the right option for ME. It is ultimately your decision to make, and I wish you the best with whatever you choose.

Ps...I am a month out and have lost 26 pounds since date of surgery and am off 3 blood pressure meds, all cholesterol meds, and on less than half of the insulin I was on. I haven't felt this great in years!

[Sophie74656 1,572]

Do you have diabetes or any other comorbidities? I'm going with the bypass per my surgeon's recommendation. I have PCOS which causes me to be pre-diabetic/insulin resistant. The bypass has proven to make more of an impact on my disease and the issues I battle with from it.

but the sleeve would have resolved these issues also

[Sophie74656 1,572]

there are a million posts here about this subject, do a search and read through them.

the bottom line is that people can't really compare the two since we can only experience one. I had the sleeve and love it and would recommend it to anyone. I liked that the stomach comes out of you and there is no malabsorption or dumping. If you have diabetes or other weight related issues both the sleeve and bypass will resolve them.

[Pinkgirl1234 761]

Hi

Do your research and don't let anyone tell you what procedure not to get.I am a cancer survivor and chose the bypass....so so much for someone telling you not to get that procedure...Do your research.The sleeve is working nicely for a friend of mine.YOU make he decision because you have to live your life accordingly.

[Dub 10,070]

On the surface it may seem a Ford vs Chevy type debate.

Dig in deeper with your surgeon and communicate with the folks here.

I am very, very happy with my decision to go the sleeve route vs the bypass (which was my initial thought).

I can continue taking NSAIDS as needed for my crappy knees.

I drink coffee daily and enjoy it.

I was worried that i'd not loose the same amount of weight because there was no dumping with the sleeve to keep me averse to future sweets. This has not been a problem whatsoever. I've lost my desire for such garbage and simply crave juicy cuts of meat, chicken and fish. When I say crave.....I mean seriously salivate and look forward to a fresh grilled chunk of salmon or chicken breast.

Sleeve has been very easy to live with and is a tool I'll have for the rest of my life.

No regrets.

[newmebithebypass 713]

I'm still preop but I am going to get bypass because I have diabetes and pcos and want to resolve those issues

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

Asking a question is good, but I recommend you do extensive research from major bariatric surgery center of excellence hospitals, JAMA, ASMBS and other respected publications, attend a WLS informational meeting, WLS support group meetings and discuss your findings and concerns with your PCP and surgeon to address your specific medical needs.
Good luck.

[Sophie74656 1,572]

I'm still preop but I am going to get bypass because I have diabetes and pcos and want to resolve those issues

The sleeve would also resolve these issues

[Miss Mac 6,262]

Some people don't get the sleeve for fear of significant reflux. However, I am two years post op and have not had that problem at all, even though I was expecting it. The only time I notice anything is if I wake up empty in the middle of the night and Miss Tummy starts griping about it. So, I just take an Omeprozole (a PPI to reduce stomach acid) and go back to sleep.

Oh, by the way - she is still the boss of me.

[Djmohr 6,965]

You definitely need to do your research before deciding.

There are different benefits to both and you need to be educated on them. Bypass has been around the longest and is the gold standard for weight loss surgery. The sleeve is newer and has less long term data but seems to be effective as well.

Bypass can cure both reflux and type 2 diabetes. Sleeve can make reflux worse or create it. It can also put type 2 diabetes into remissioN.

By the way, I want to make sure that you understand that malabsorption that comes with bypass is not a complication. It is intentional and you should not be afraid of it at all. It is meant to help you lose weight. I have several autoimmune disease that require meds. It has not been a problem.

The most important thing to understand is that you need to get checked for nutrients via blood work a couple times a year. This ensures that you are absorbing enough Vitamins and minerals. You have to do this with the sleeve as well.

Research like crazy and don't let anyone decide this for you. Go into your decision educated. Leverage your doctors. I was set to have the sleeve and then found out that bypass could cure my Gerd. I was initially scared because someone told me I should worry about malabsorption. I spoke with my doctors and several nurses who went through the surgeries. They explained that malabsorption is your friend and it doesn't stay that way forever. Primarily the first 12 to 18 months before your body adjusts.

Also, many people don't get dumping syndrome. If you do get it you learn what to stay away from. If you do decide bypass do not assume you will dump therefore you will lose weight. Only a small percentage have that issue and that too gets better over time. Many choose this surgery for that reason (hoping to dump) and are disappointed. I have only had a mild case of dumping and it was because I overrate something I shouldn't be eating in the first place.

[sassyfrass23 525]

Do you have diabetes or any other comorbidities? I'm going with the bypass per my surgeon's recommendation. I have PCOS which causes me to be pre-diabetic/insulin resistant. The bypass has proven to make more of an impact on my disease and the issues I battle with from it.

but the sleeve would have resolved these issues also

Yes, agreed. But I also suffer from GERD which the sleeve will/could only worsen. There are a multitude of reasons for my choosing RNY over VSG.

Edited January 12, 2016 by sassyfrass23