Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How to decide on best surgery



Recommended Posts

How did you decide on which surgery to have? The VSG seems to be the most popular and pushed surgery through my research. I'm 49 BMI and can't seem to loose weight on any diet or exercise program since my hysterectomy 5 years ago. I am concerned that the sleeve will not be enough and know that I could convert to DS later but I don't want to waste anymore time trying something that may not work.

I know this is a conversation best with my doctor but I don't want to be pushed into a sleeve if it's not going to be effective.

I'll be self pay in Mexico.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you currently have gerd or frequent heartburn?

Do you have access to bariatric care closer to home if there were a complication? If so, what procedures do they perform?

How keen are you in taking daily supplementation? (Vitamins)

How enthusiastic is your primary care physician to take care of you after surgery in Mexico?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Its a (very!) personal choice. You have to take all the pros and cons of each surgery type and weigh those against what you feel comfortable with. There is absolutely no one on this board qualified to tell you which surgery is best for you. Heck, my surgeon pushed me for RnY and I cancelled 5 days before surgery because it took me all that time to decide I would really rather prefer to have a VSG.

I think all of the surgeries are effective depending on how much work you want to put into it, and all can fail you if you do not use them properly. As to your question regarding the sleeve in particular, there are several users on this board who have lost over 200 pounds with it.

I would say check out @blizair09 for success regarding the sleeve, and @Redmaxx for success regarding RnY, though there are plenty of others who have had great success with each.

Edited by Navigating the Wilderness

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh, and are you currently in counseling or therapy? food addiction won't be cured by surgery, it takes therapy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh, and are you currently in counseling or therapy? food addiction won't be cured by surgery, it takes therapy.

No therapy yet. It is something I need to look into. I'm the heaviest out of six kids taking after my mother. The rest of my siblings and father took to alcohol and smoking. I realize I'm just Eating myself to death and do need the mental help to save what's left of my life.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you currently have gerd or frequent heartburn?
Do you have access to bariatric care closer to home if there were a complication? If so, what procedures do they perform?
How keen are you in taking daily supplementation? (Vitamins)
How enthusiastic is your primary care physician to take care of you after surgery in Mexico?

My insurance does not cover WLS at all but we do have several local hospitals that do offer all types procedures.
My primary care physician was excited about the Sleeve when I brought it up. He has several patients that have gone to Mexico and has agreed to my care before and after surgery.
I've had my bouts with heartburn but it's not as often as it once was.
I have no issues taking Vitamins and tried one of the special weight loss programs through my chiropractic office that had me taking handfuls of vitamins 3 times a day with Protein Shakes with very little success.



Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok, in my "random stranger on the internet's" opinion, any of the procedures will do you well.

My BMI was almost 48, and I have the sleeve. Got it in Mexico, and couldn't be happier. With your history of ineffective diets, I can understand your concern. Your surgeon will know more about the procedure best for patients that couldn't lose on a traditional diet. (That wasn't me).

I said if I needed a bypass, I'd go locally... for a sleeve, Mexico was fine. Bypasses and DS's might need more after-care, and local surgeons dont like dealing with Mexico patients.

But that's just me ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't really have a choice. My surgeon talked to me for a bit, then asked me which procedure I was thinking about. I SAID VSG and he said, "It won't be enough. You have too much weight to lose. You need the DS." Since reading more about the procedures, I'm inclined to trust him.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, fastfoodaddictnomore said:

How did you decide on which surgery to have? The VSG seems to be the most popular and pushed surgery through my research. I'm 49 BMI and can't seem to loose weight on any diet or exercise program since my hysterectomy 5 years ago. I am concerned that the sleeve will not be enough and know that I could convert to DS later but I don't want to waste anymore time trying something that may not work.

I know this is a conversation best with my doctor but I don't want to be pushed into a sleeve if it's not going to be effective.

I'll be self pay in Mexico.

At 6'0", I weighed 397 pounds when I started my journey in March 2016 with my six month pre-op diet program. I decided on the sleeve because the idea of re-routing my insides bothered me. I think that it is more about what you do with your tool than anything else. I embraced a Keto way of eating for the entirety of my six-month pre-op diet program, and lost 99 pounds by the day of surgery. I have continued that way of eating post-op (even through the food stages), and I have lost an additional 102 pounds (I got below 200 pounds for the first time in 19 years recently), and now I am only about 16 pounds away from my goal (180 pounds and a normal BMI). I am hoping to get there by the end of the summer.

Changing your relationship with food, staying on your plan, and getting up and exercising are keys to success with this journey. Too many people on this site get one of the surgeries and then seem to do nothing with it. They lose some weight during the "honeymoon phase" (when it is all but impossible to not lose weight), and then it all goes to hell when any more weight loss (or even maintenance) requires good decisions about food and drink.

Talk with your surgeon and together you can decide which procedure is right for you. But making sure that you are ready to deal with the mental battle of the journey is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My BMI when I started was 52!! It is now 35 after losing 90lbs. My goal is to lose another 50lbs more. I was sleeve in Oct 2016. Being sleeved was the best thing


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wanted DS however I wasn't comfortable having it done in Mexico and not having my surgeon local with such a major surgery (not that the sleeve isn't major but the routing of the intestines worried me) so I decided to do the sleeve. I was over 50 BMI and so far I'm so happy with the sleeve (I'm only 13 days out so I'm far from the poster child for success). Have you figured out who would provide care if there are complications that arise after surgery (I know your primary care doctor is going to provide after care but there could be things that arise that he/she can't handle). I would definitely discuss with both your bariatric surgeon and your primary care to help determine which surgery would be best for you.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you self pay but have insurance in the US? You are going to need to monitor your blood work etc post-op.

I wouldn't have DS outside of the US only because the DS requires a lot of post-op care, you need your blood work etc monitored closely. It is a more complicated surgery so if you are thinking about DS, then find a Dr in the US.

The only way to make a decision is to think about what matter to you, what level of dedication you have, and how much maintenance you want to do long term.

You really just have to do your own research and decide based on your values.

As far as weight loss, the type of surgery you have doesn't matter, you pretty much choose how much weight you lose by how you eat. Surgery doesn't lose the weight for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had GERD so it was a no-brainer: RNY. If it weren't for that, I would have been comfortable with either one. They're both good surgeries, and there are many success stories with both. If you really want RNY, though, I wouldn't let someone push me into another choice unless there's some medical reason for doing so (which sometimes there is....). I think a lot of surgeons prefer doing VSG because it's an easier surgery - but YOU'RE the one who'll have to live with whatever you get...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Surgeons like VSG because they can do 10 a day, with RNY they can only do 3-4.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have only lost and kept off a total of 17 pounds on the sleeve (out of 51). I work out and eat meticulously. I'm converting to the DS (sadi-s) next month. I figure I'm halfway there already. The sleeve is turning out to not have such great long-term success. I am reading about lots of failures, and I for that profile to the t. Wish I had just done the DS the first time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×