Hello all! This will be my first post on BariatricPal, so lets see how it goes!

I am going to my first informational meeting regarding weight loss surgery, and I'm wondering, what made you all decide to go with a gastric sleeve vs the RNY bypass? Just weighing the pros and cons here, and would appreciate any input you might have.....

@@toby585

Long term results are the same, with less risks and drama. Not having my intestines touched and not having a foreign object like band. Also people have had gastric sleeve type surgeries for about 100 years for other issues besides weight loss. Safest with the least issues, IMO.

Agree with this. Also, I thought sleeve would give me a "normal life" as opposed to bypass which has a deeper risk for bathroom issues, etc...

@@toby585

Long term results are the same, with less risks and drama. Not having my intestines touched and not having a foreign object like band. Also people have had gastric sleeve type surgeries for about 100 years for other issues besides weight loss. Safest with the least issues, IMO.

@@toby585 I didn't want the malabsorption that went along with the Bypass (or have my intestines re-routed) I am not diabetic (which Bypass is usually the suggested surgery) and am not a huge sweet eater (so dumping didn't seem like a benefit from my perspective). I basically overeat - so the restrictive benefit of the sleeve was all I really need. My surgeon actually was the one to suggest sleeve. I am still pre-op but feel that this is the best decision for me.

Agree with this. Also, I thought sleeve would give me a "normal life" as opposed to bypass which has a deeper risk for bathroom issues, etc...

@@toby585

Long term results are the same, with less risks and drama. Not having my intestines touched and not having a foreign object like band. Also people have had gastric sleeve type surgeries for about 100 years for other issues besides weight loss. Safest with the least issues, IMO.

Yeah, I felt the same. I wanted to be normal and I felt the bypass would leave me abnormal forever.

Same here! I didn't want them in there muckin' with my intestines. My primary problem was with portion size and the sleeve is really helping me with that. I've not regretted my decision for even a second.

I have an autoimmunie disease and sometimes require heavy doeses of steroids. My surgeon told me I couldn't take steroids with bypass. Basically, my surgeon made my decision.

I decided on the sleeve because your body absorbs the nutrients from food. With the RYN you lose alot of the nutrients when you eat. That's what made my decision. Hope this helps. [emoji1]

My primary concern is so have an auto immune disease that requires daily NSAIDS and occasional steroids so it the best choice for chronic pain control.

Sent from my XT1096 using the BariatricPal App

My primary reason was to avoid some of the serious bathroom issues people can have after having part of their intestines removed. I have a family member who has suffered (not weight loss surgery related) from having intestines shortened.

I know that there are plenty of people with no problems after bypass and there are people with the sleeve that have had digestive issues, I just made the choice that I hope will be best for me. My doctor also feels that my decision was the right choice. I would have reconsidered if he thought that I should go with something else.

The weight loss is very close in percentages long term, so to me it wasn't worth the more invasive bypass for a minimal pound or two.

@@toby585

I chose the sleeve for a lot of the same reasons that everyone stated above. When I first starting researching WLS a few years ago, I hadn't wanted the Bypass. But now after learning more about the sleeve, I think it's a better fit for me. It is overall less surgery than the bypass and while you still need to take Vitamins daily, you don't have the malabsorption issues that people with bypass struggle with. I also do not have any comorbidities associated with my weight so that helped with my decision.

With that said, I would definitely recommend going into the first visit with an open mind, and learn everything you can before you meet with the surgeon. I discussed both surgeries with my surgeon at length, and after we spoke, he recommended the sleeve as he thought it was a better fit for me and my lifestyle.

Good Luck!!