Having a hard time deciding, the idea of rerouting my intestines scares me as my mom had to have her intestines resectioned when her ovarian cancer spread and she never healed inside properly, developed a fistula, it was awful. But maybe that was bc she was weakened from cancer and maybe I would heal just fine?

However, my BMI is 49/50 and I think I might have a better tool with the bypass.

Also I was at an info session last night at Duke, and honestly.....it was pretty compelling to hear that there's 20 years of data on the long term success of the RNY, and no long term data yet on the sleeve. It made me think that everyone who jumped on the lap band train years ago also took a chance on something with no long term data (at the time), and with the data NOW available on the band I don't want it.

The surgeon described the RNY as the "gold standard" bc of that long term success.

Did you have a hard time deciding? What tipped you to the RNY?

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I had my heart set on the sleeve until I talked to my surgeon. He was very honest, my BMI is super high, and to get the results I would want (and need to be honest) the bypass would be the best for me. I also have GERD and the sleeve can make that worse.

I haven't yet had my surgery, but this is the route I'm going on, and my mind is pretty okay with that.

One thing I've learned from researching and reading like crazy, is you cannot base your decision on everybody else's. What works great for you, may not work for somebody else.

Just keep researching. And go with your gut!

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I had my heart set on the sleeve until I talked to my surgeon. He was very honest, my BMI is super high, and to get the results I would want (and need to be honest) the bypass would be the best for me. I also have GERD and the sleeve can make that worse.

I haven't yet had my surgery, but this is the route I'm going on, and my mind is pretty okay with that.

One thing I've learned from researching and reading like crazy, is you cannot base your decision on everybody else's. What works great for you, may not work for somebody else.

Just keep researching. And go with your gut!

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That is so true. What works for you may not work for the next person. You really have to make the decision that works best for you because you are the one who has to live with it.

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My bmi when I started the program was 66*, I believe. I first planned on the sleeve, but for the same reasons you are wavering, I decided to talk to others and read forums, etc. From that exploration, I saw that there are SO many people who begin the process happy with their sleeve but in the long run, end up revising to bypass. The sleeve can be great, and I've seen a few people (and I mean a only a few) who are happy 3-5 years out and don't want to revise. The fact that my bmi was high, the fact that so many sleevers end up getting or wanting but being unable to afford a revision, and the fact that so much long-term data exists for the RNY all cemented my decision solidly toward the bypass. And now I'm 9 months post op, had no complications, and I feel wonderful. I've also lost almost 150 pounds and 12 pant sizes since surgery day, and gained my health and a level of self-love and confidence I never really believed possible.

*edited because I went to the calculator and checked and my bmi was way higher than I thought it was when I started the program at 402. At my highest, I weighed 442... which gave me a bmi of 73. Now I'm 39 and I can't even believe it was once that high... but anyway. >.>

Edited May 18, 201610 yr by Cervidae

I started with a bmi of 66 and opted for sleeve based on my research and testimonials from friends and family. Dumping syndrome sounds like something I never want to experience. I also know people who got bypass who still years later aren't able to eat raw veggies. I understand that everyone's experience is different but it seems that more people have issues with bypass. The other deciding factor was the lose skin situation. You lose a little slower with the sleeve so you have a better fighting chance with less lose skin. For most of us it's just unavoidable, however if there's anything I can do to circumvent it, I'm gonna!

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I'm diabetic and can only have the bypass

I should also say I can eat most of the food I've tried, including veggies and salad. I also have never experienced dumping, and I've passed the usual time frame for dumping. Obviously it could still happen but seriously, staying away from the things they tell you to stay away from and taking things slowly when trying new foods will make the odds of it happening even smaller. Just giving a counterpoint.

I'm going through the deciding process and I enjoy reading these topics. I am needing to lose 26 more lbs till I can get a date. I was all set for sleeve and then my BMI is in the 60's and Im morbidly obese, my surgeon suggested I may not be able to get to the low 200's like I wanted. He didn't say it was not possible but it may be more difficult. I am scared of the rerouting and more in-depth surgery, but I ask myself do I need that extra to hold me accountable. I know I LOVE food and I have a hard time even trying to stay on the high Protein and low carb now. Im not following it strictly but I am more aware of my food intake and have not had carbonated drinks in 3 weeks. it's a start. I would love to hear pros and cons with both surgeries.

I was one of those that jumped on band wagon 9 years ago because I was terrified of going with RNY. After my hopes have failed while having issues with the band, I didn't even lose 50% of my excess weight. After much deliberation and researching I decided I had to do something about it. So this time I ended up complicating my surgery even more since I was doing band removal, bypass and gallbladder removal but I had to take the chance... I had my surgery 5 days ago, I have new hope for the future and doing my portion of it. The reason why I went with bypass is I am prone to gerd, I have at least 125 lbs to lose, and I have also read about a lot of sleeve to bypass revisions and didn't want to take my chances. Recovery has been hard for me, I won't deny it, but today I am so much better already.

Edited May 18, 201610 yr by UsernameTaken

I had my heart set on the sleeve until I talked to my surgeon. He was very honest, my BMI is super high, and to get the results I would want (and need to be honest) the bypass would be the best for me. I also have GERD and the sleeve can make that worse.

I haven't yet had my surgery, but this is the route I'm going on, and my mind is pretty okay with that.

One thing I've learned from researching and reading like crazy, is you cannot base your decision on everybody else's. What works great for you, may not work for somebody else.

Just keep researching. And go with your gut!

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just messaged you

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I had my heart set on the band for years. I went to a physical and the PA was like nope African American woman with a BMI higher than 55 usually do not have success with the band. So We decided the bypass. I'm nervous about losing hair more than anything but am ready for this journey. My consult with the surgeon is 5/26

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I was torn too. But I decided on the RNY ....I talked w my surgeon and went with his recommendations...after all he's the expert and took all my stats into considerations. Still waiting on a date...ugh...I'm not good at waiting!!

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This was not a hard decision for me. I chose the gastric bypass because I needed to have the ability to lose the most weight, as I started at at least 150 pounds overweight. My surgeon and I never even discussed anything else, though he did ask me if I wanted to.

You all have really helped me .... I do think the RNY is the best choice for me, given my BMI of 50, and the fact that I want to do one surgery and give myself the best possible chance of success.

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I had my first appointment today and was set on the sleeve . I was told due my GERD that the bypass is the best option. My BMI is 44, my weight is 299 and GW is 180. Everyone I know has the sleeve or lapband(my surgeon doesn't do the Lapland anymore) and swears they are the best option. I am going to trust the surgeon.

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I'm in the same predicament as you. I was set on the sleeve too, but changed my mind at the very end. I got the Bypass approved by my insurance but I've been sitting on my approval for at least a month now. I'm so torn not sure if I should continue or change to the sleeve.

I weigh 280 now and my BMI is 47~. I would love to lose 100 lbs, but with the Bypass I know I will lose more and I don't know if I want that. I think 150 is too small for me, I love my curves lol