Trying to decide between bypass (RNY) and sleeve. I am leaning toward bypass but I am not sure.

A little about me. I am 5'7" and my high weight was 265 (BMI of 42) current . Diabetic, HBP, Apnea and high cholesterol. The turning point was when my endo Dr was stumped at why my A1C was still high after all the drugs I was on...."duh, I eat like crap!" I went on a medically supervised weight loss diet for six months (exactly like the pre-op liquid diet) and lost 65 pounds. Transitioned off the diet and gained back 40 (CW is 240lbs). Decided the next step was WLS. My BMI is now 38 with all the same complications. According to charts my weight should be less than 165.

From the research I have done I have a 50% chance of reaching: 158lbs with RNY or 170lbs with sleeve. My question is the 12 lbs worth the RNY vs sleeve. I am not sure what the extra "effort" of the bypass is??? Is day to day living different between the two procedures. I am leaning towards RNY for a couple reasons. 1) I have a better chance of getting at least a reasonable weight. There is an 80% chance of being at 190 with RNY two years out vs 208 with sleeve. I like those odds better. 2) Once you have the sleeve done you aren't going to go back and have the RNY done (if that is even possible).

I am looking for input from people. What was the logic you used to decide pick the bypass. For the record my doctor has recommended RNY but it seems a lot of people in the support group has sleeves.

Thanks in advance.

Astro!

I am choosing bypass because if the greater weight loss, and yes people do convert from a sleeve to a bypass later on if it doesn't work, so I wanted the final final procedure, no conversions for me! Also if you have heartburn then sleeve can make it way worse! Someone said this and it makes sense: the sleeve is for someone who can control what they eat but just needs help with portions, bypass will also give you that healthy fear of dumping syndrome if you eat bad food. Not everyone dumps but at least you'll have that fear in your head.

Please keep in mind that with either surgery it is just a tool. You won't be able to meet those goals if you don't change your lifestyle. However, I have found that getting sleeved has made it much easier for me to stick to a healthy eating plan than it was preop. The bypass will definitely help with some of your comorbidities particularly the diabetes and cholesterol since the changes to your intestines makes you absorb less of the food you eat. Good luck with whatever option you choose!

22 minutes ago, hotmamma1979 said:

I am choosing bypass because if the greater weight loss, and yes people do convert from a sleeve to a bypass later on if it doesn't work, so I wanted the final final procedure, no conversions for me! Also if you have heartburn then sleeve can make it way worse! Someone said this and it makes sense: the sleeve is for someone who can control what they eat but just needs help with portions, bypass will also give you that healthy fear of dumping syndrome if you eat bad food. Not everyone dumps but at least you'll have that fear in your head.

This is the exact thing I am thinking. But I am not sure of the actual day to day differences once you are back to eating solid food. I do have GERD which is probably why the doctor recommends bypass. Although since I lost weight it hasn't been a problem my endoscope showed it was!

Well I know with bypass you gotta watch your sugar intake, I was told if sugar was in the first three ingredients to stay away. Not so with sleeve.

i'm only working on my weigh ins still but my surgeon recommended the bypass for me because of the GERD, i have to go next week for another endoscopy.

I chose RNY mainly because of my parents; they had RNY so I knew what to expect and my decision was supported by my doctors so it's really based on what would be the best for *you*. Bounce ideas w your surgeon, a bariatric NUT, etc it's really helpful

I have decided on the bypass surgery. For me I feel that it will be the most successful and give me the most long-term success. I think it's definitely a personal choice. My surgeon recommends the bypass for me as well.