I want to get the Sleeve but surgeon is pushing Roux En Y

hectorlopez323 · October 9, 2016

I finished my Kaiser Permanente options classes, did all the lab and x-rays. I went to meet my surgeon on Thursday and he is pushing for roux en y because I have GERD. Anyone else have this happen to them? I didn't realize acid reflex was a big issue for getting the sleeve. any input would be greatly appreciated.

annie819 · October 9, 2016

I was planning on the bypass also. Then when I had my EDG, he found that the part of my stomach that would end up "blind" with that surgery, was full of polyps. I also have a large hiatal hernia and have been treated for heartburn/GERD that may be caused by the hernia. He suggested I get the sleeve because of the polyps. I had never really considered the sleeve, so I started researching it and have decided that I would rather have the sleeve than the bypass. I got my approval letter on Friday afternoon (after the office closed, of course!) and found that I had been approved for the bypass. So, now they will have to resubmit me for the sleeve, I guess. Hopefully it will all work out because I was approved very quickly for the bypass. I will also have the hernia repaired with the surgery. I'm hoping the heartburn goes away with the hernia, but it's totally under control with 20mg a day of nexium. Have you read any books about the surgeries?

cyndi990 · October 9, 2016

The very same thing happened to me. I went to meet with my surgeon for a consultation last month to talk about the sleeve . He asked me a lot of questions and one of the questions he asked me if I am having any acid reflux or heartburn ? I said yes once or twice a week . He said if I'm having Gerd I shouldn't have the sleeve because one of the side effects after having the sleeve is Gerd. The bypass is a better choice for people who have Gerd . So he said before we decided on what surgery is best for me , he wants me to have a 24hr PH test . I am scheduled to be tested in a couple of weeks. I don't want the gastric bypass surgery. So I decided to get a second opinion.

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hectorlopez323 · October 10, 2016

I was planning on the bypass also. Then when I had my EDG, he found that the part of my stomach that would end up "blind" with that surgery, was full of polyps. I also have a large hiatal hernia and have been treated for heartburn/GERD that may be caused by the hernia. He suggested I get the sleeve because of the polyps. I had never really considered the sleeve, so I started researching it and have decided that I would rather have the sleeve than the bypass. I got my approval letter on Friday afternoon (after the office closed, of course!) and found that I had been approved for the bypass. So, now they will have to resubmit me for the sleeve, I guess. Hopefully it will all work out because I was approved very quickly for the bypass. I will also have the hernia repaired with the surgery. I'm hoping the heartburn goes away with the hernia, but it's totally under control with 20mg a day of nexium. Have you read any books about the surgeries?

No actual books. Countless articles and took a 12 week course, every Friday for an hour and a half. I was pretty set on sleeve but this surgeon, as he was examining my meeical record he looks at me and says "oh yeah, we're doing the roux en y".. "we'll go over it in a bit". He seems to insist the rny will cure my GERD and the sleeve will make it worse. I ended up reluctantly agreeing to the rny so he put "roux en y possible sleeve gastrectomy" on the concent form we submitted. He did say that if I insist on sleeve that he will order a GI x-ray to look for a hernia. Said he didn't want to do the sleeve cause he'll just have to go back in and do the rny when the acid gets worse.

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hectorlopez323 · October 10, 2016

Cyndi, that's how I'm feeling. Though I'm doing it with Kaiser and from what a friend who works at kaiser told me to go to this particular kaiser in West Los Angeles cause they're the best. So I'm traveling 75 miles each way cause they're suppose to be the best and for him to come out so strong about it just sucked. Side note. I am diabetic type 2, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and sciatica due to bulging disks so I'm pretty screwed up for 34 yrs old. I'm alps 442 lbs 6'1 .. maybe it's all these factors why he sees rny as my best bet

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cyndi990 · October 10, 2016

Hi Hector

Thanks for replying to my post.

Sounds like you have everything figured out with the help from your friend and surgeon. U are very fortunate to have a friend who is working at the same hospital where you are going to have your surgery. That's a extra plus . You have to do whats best for you. There's nothing wrong with having the gastric bypass surgery everyone situations different. Believe me I would not hesitate to do it if I needed it to save my life . Best of luck.

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hectorlopez323 · October 10, 2016

Far from it. I was sure I wanted the sleeve now I have to decide go with the more extreme procedure or stick to my guns and get the sleeve and if I suffer I have no one to blame but myself

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gottadosumthin · October 10, 2016

Cyndi, that's how I'm feeling. Though I'm doing it with Kaiser and from what a friend who works at kaiser told me to go to this particular kaiser in West Los Angeles cause they're the best. So I'm traveling 75 miles each way cause they're suppose to be the best and for him to come out so strong about it just sucked. Side note. I am diabetic type 2, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and sciatica due to bulging disks so I'm pretty screwed up for 34 yrs old. I'm alps 442 lbs 6'1 .. maybe it's all these factors why he sees rny as my best bet

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My friend is the same age as you, and she had diabetes to the point where she was taking insulin 3x a day. She had the RnY bc it is known to eliminate diabetes whereas with the sleeve, you still may or may not have to take the medication. She's doing great and had lost over 100 pounds. It's just something to consider when you have diabetes. Good luck with your decision.

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hectorlopez323 · October 10, 2016

Ty. It's logical. I just had my mind set on sleeve for 2 years and now I'm wrapping my mind around the rny. Which did you choose?

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gottadosumthin · October 10, 2016

I'm back and forth between rny and the sleeve. RnY is the gold standard and has the most research, but the sleeve is less invasive. I have mild acid reflux (the first consult I went recommended the RnY because of that.) The second surgeon which I chose pushes sleeve and you have to convince him to do RNY bc the results are the same two years out. I'm still deciding, but right now leaning towards the sleeve. Ask me next week, and that may change lol.

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hectorlopez323 · October 10, 2016

I feel you. I argued that the sleeve take longer to perform about an hour shorter. I mentioned with people over a 50 bmi it is best to not keep us under too long. Mine was stubborn and said he could do it and it would be safe and it would be best for me. I just looked at him like... shit..... that was my ace lol. Only positive on rny is it almost cures diabetes, more weight loss and it can be reversed. Sleeve is faster, less complicated, you can eat more... 4 Oz instead of 2oz and you don't have dumping syndrome. Correct me if I'm wrong

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gottadosumthin · October 10, 2016

I thought you wouldn't have dumping with the sleeve, but after reading the forums for the last couple of months, it seems that you can have dumping with sleeve too, it just depends. Seems ppl with the sleeve do a lot more throwing up than the other thing, and I've seen them calling the vomiting dumping. I'd rather *!*! then vomit. At first I thought it was cool that my surgeon was pushing the sleeve, but now I'm not sure. I know he only did like 3 bypasses in the past year to like 200 sleeves, so that doesn't give a vote of confidence on him doing the bypass if I chose that.

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hectorlopez323 · October 10, 2016

That is concerning. What city are you getting it done?

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gottadosumthin · October 10, 2016

Philadelphia

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gottadosumthin · October 10, 2016

Don't get me wrong though. I chose him over my first consult. I feel comfortable with him when I didn't the first one. You really got to go with your gut so to speak.

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