Before the surgery

[ojosbrillantez 5]

Hello Everyone,

I haven't had surgery yet but I am in my third month of weigh ins (180 days required for my insurance). I started off at 418 in 2015 and I was diagnosed with diabetes so I decided i needed to get my lifestyle together. I lost 138 lbs on my own ( down to 280 lbs) but after that I gained 50 lbs back this year. It was at that moment that i hopped on the scale that I realized that I needed help to continue to try to be healthy and live a better life. I didnt start having knee pain until after losing weight (crazy right?) My doctor thinks i must have went to the gym too much and because i became so active my knees started to feel the weight on them more. My knees have been hurting so bad since then. I haven't got back down to 280 I keep fluctuating been 323-316. My hopes are that in March or April I'll be approved to have surgery. I know this is big lifestyle change and i did okay on my own but scared to gain all that weight back and I can't do this on my own anymore, I have so much more weight I need to lose. Ive done so much research on what an impact this surgery does especially when following a healthy lifestyle. Ive been struggling all my life with my weight and this is the best decision for me to keep motivated to become a healthier and happier me. My doctor is okay with me having the sleeve or the bypass. My mind has been weighing the pros and cons of both. Im leaning towards the bypass but some days i change my mind. What was the biggest factor in making this decision between the two? If you already had the surgery how's it going for you and what type did you have? 

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[James Marusek 5,244]

I had severe acid reflux prior to surgery, so I had gastric bypass because sleeve will only make the condition worse. Many on this site had sleeve only to have it revised to gastric bypass because of problems with GERD after they were sleeved.

[ojosbrillantez 5]

Thank you for your insight on this [emoji4] have you had many issues with dumping syndrome? It sounds pretty scary, that's the main scare factor for me in regards to the bypass

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[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Chose sleeve, because I did not want malabsorbtion. You may want to think about how you would have adequate nutrition if you want children, as the bypass would make that a lot more difficult. Also the nurse practicioner at my PCP had bypass and she developed ulcers in the unused stomach that is left in after bypass, she also has B12 deficiency. The pouch created in bypass still has the fundus part of the stomach and it can stretch, whereas this is not an issuebw the sleeve.

I was sleeved 5 days ago and doing very well.

[brightfaith 187]

I have not had surgery yet but have chosen bypass because I’m starting at a very high BMI (and bypass has slightly greater loss) and because I’ve had diabetes for several years, and bypass offers better chance for resolution or at least improvement. Good luck with your decision!

[ojosbrillantez 5]

I have not had surgery yet but have chosen bypass because I’m starting at a very high BMI (and bypass has slightly greater loss) and because I’ve had diabetes for several years, and bypass offers better chance for resolution or at least improvement. Good luck with your decision!

Thanks I was mainly choosing this for the slightly higher weight loss as well. Are you close to having surgery soon?

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[ojosbrillantez 5]

Chose sleeve, because I did not want malabsorbtion. You may want to think about how you would have adequate nutrition if you want children, as the bypass would make that a lot more difficult. Also the nurse practicioner at my PCP had bypass and she developed ulcers in the unused stomach that is left in after bypass, she also has B12 deficiency. The pouch created in bypass still has the fundus part of the stomach and it can stretch, whereas this is not an issuebw the sleeve.
I was sleeved 5 days ago and doing very well.

This has been on my mind as well about having kids one day.

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[Tatinkg 10]

Hi there! Kudos to you for having lost a good amount of weight on your own. That happened to me too, but as in everything, the weight came back faster than the time it took me to lose only 29lbs! I decided on the sleeve as I just needed help with losing weight and to hopefully improve my osteoarthritis on my knees and hopefully I get to exercise more. Also, my brother did the sleeve and thus far he's been doing well. I feel like we can support each other throughout this time. He's about a year in and have lost about 80lbs. A friend of mine decided to go with the bypass since she felt she would not be able to do as much exercise due to her job and lifestyle, and she's been doing good as well.

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you! I have found this site to be informative and the people here to be very supportive.

[KarenOR 180]

You've done awesome! I turned 50 and realized I had to have a more permanent tool. I was so great at the yo-yo, my entire life since I was probably 6. It always came back and more.

I chose the sleeve because I didn't want anything rearranged Maybe dumb, but it just sounded better to me. I suffered from GERD during pregnancy and after the birth of my daughter. I'm taking meds and it's been okay. I don't know how it will be long term but I'm pretty fine with it 4 weeks out.

As for knees, have you tried Water fitness? I love it. I have a waterproof ipod and I just get there and run in the deep water with a belt. I've done classes for probably 20 years, too. Something to think about if you have a pool available.

Keep on keepin' on!

[Amburmist 55]

Chose sleeve, because I did not want malabsorbtion. You may want to think about how you would have adequate nutrition if you want children, as the bypass would make that a lot more difficult. Also the nurse practicioner at my PCP had bypass and she developed ulcers in the unused stomach that is left in after bypass, she also has B12 deficiency. The pouch created in bypass still has the fundus part of the stomach and it can stretch, whereas this is not an issuebw the sleeve.
I was sleeved 5 days ago and doing very well.

Bypass is not a malabsorbative procedure. Duodenal switch is, but not bypass. Sleeve u can also end up eating more than u were initially (aka stretching) if ur not careful.
I think the main difference is the rearranging of internal plumbing. [emoji6]
As others have stated, some differences (good, bad, or indifferent) in the two are: With sleeve they remove the cut away stomach, with bypass they do not. With sleeve u can get GERD worse than prior to the procedure, with bypass u won't. With bypass u will have to take supplements forever (and not because of malabsorbtion, but because ur pouch is so small, u can't get as many nutrients thru food bcos u can't eat as much); with sleeve, I'm not sure. There is over 30+ yrs study and research on bypass, sleeve is newer.
It probably sounds like i am talking up the bypass procedure but im honestly not trying to. I had the bypass and so far, im happy with my decision. That said, I think the sleeve is very successful procedure, as well, and is actually the procedure people are going with more now these days. Each procedure has its pros and cons (and horror stories), but it will end up being a personal choice for u after hearing and reading all the differences.
Good luck!

[Berry78 4,259]

The bypass IS malabsorptive because lots of nutrients are absorbed in the first part of the intestine that gets bypassed. Over time, the intestines adapt and absorb more, (part of the reason regain happens).

Bypass is better for Gerd and moderate diabetes. Dumping can be helpful against addiction to sweets, but not everyone with a bypass dumps.

I have the sleeve and so far, so good. Still have to take daily Vitamins. Lifestyle change is required for both bypass and sleeve. Exercise requirements are the same.

[brightfaith 187]

4 hours ago, ojosbrillantez said:

Thanks I was mainly choosing this for the slightly higher weight loss as well. Are you close to having surgery soon?

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I still have a long way to go -- I've completed one of 6 months of supervised nutrition visits. I know someone who had the sleeve and did very well -- I second those above who say the commitment to nutrition and exercise is the same regardless. Hope all this info has been helpful!

[shedo82773 1,236]

3 hours ago, KarenOR said:

You've done awesome! I turned 50 and realized I had to have a more permanent tool. I was so great at the yo-yo, my entire life since I was probably 6. It always came back and more.

I chose the sleeve because I didn't want anything rearranged Maybe dumb, but it just sounded better to me. I suffered from GERD during pregnancy and after the birth of my daughter. I'm taking meds and it's been okay. I don't know how it will be long term but I'm pretty fine with it 4 weeks out.

As for knees, have you tried Water fitness? I love it. I have a waterproof ipod and I just get there and run in the deep Water with a belt. I've done classes for probably 20 years, too. Something to think about if you have a pool available.

Keep on keepin' on!

Hi, I was just wondering what part of Oregon do you live at? I live in Roseburg, Oregon.

[shedo82773 1,236]

I chose to have the RNY. I figured at my age that I better go BIG or go home!! I really liked the thought of having the restriction and Malabsorption. The 1st Dr. I went to wanted to do the Lap-Band because my hubby had one and lost a little over 100#'s but could never get it filled right had to go back to surgery Later on because they couldn't get Fluid in or out. I knew I wanted nothing to do with that. Don't get me wrong about my next comment, I hear people say that they picked the sleeve because it was less invasive than the RNY. HHHMMM how about removing 70 to 89% of your stomach. That is just my thoughts. My PCP told me to go to another Surgeon because he knew me well enough that I needed both aspects of the RNY. He was right!! I got below my goal weight in 6 months due to having problems with Strictures ( kind of like scar tissue) I feel that was part of the reason I lost so fast. I have maintained my weight loss all except I did gain 8#'s back after awhile all were happy because they got worried about me losing too much. So for me the GO BIG or go home worked for me. Since my surgery, I have seen many of the support groups that have lost great with the Sleeve. The bottom line is WLS is a tool, not a fix all. Good Luck on whichever one you decide on!!

[Luisajfc 402]

I have not have it yet .. end of next month, I chose Bypass more rate of weight loss, my dislocated knee needs a break ASAP lol . And plus I get lots of heartburn from time to time and sleeve won’t be the best one for that.
Like someone else said Sleeve is pretty new , even in the seminar the doctor mention they don’t have as much information.

But if I were you .. ask your Surgeon .. he can give you more accurate info .. than us. I see people debating on malabsorption.


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