I have a question that's been haunting me for a while.

Why would anyone pick the least effective surgery for their particular needs (obesity level, food addiction, prior health issues, other mental health concerns,etc)?

Is it lack of research or self sabotage?

Edited August 20, 20187 yr by GreenTealael

4 minutes ago, Missouri-Lee's Summit said:

....this was one of the things that steered me toward a sleeve - to preserve as much of my digestive system as possible and still lose enough weight to make me healthier.

But with a sleeve, a part of your body is removed permanently. How does that compare with a bypass in which nothing is removed? With a bypass, one's digestive system is rejiggered, nothing is removed. Do surgeon's tell their patients how much stomach they intend to remove? What if they inadvertently remove too of your stomach? How would you even know? It's not likely that they'll mention it.

Because my specific issues were excessive hunger and portion control. The sleeve addressed both of these. I wanted the ghrelin reduced and I wanted the restriction.

59 minutes ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

Because my specific issues were excessive hunger and Portion Control. The sleeve addressed both of these. I wanted the ghrelin reduced and I wanted the restriction.

I find the specific reasons why people chose one procedure over the other interesting. Your reasons were unmistakably well-thought out and geared toward your needs. Not everyone is as sure about what they want or can expect from their choice. Did you believe that the sleeve was your best option from the beginning or did you briefly consider the bypass or any of the other WLS procedures?

I was only given the option between the sleeve and bypass.

I know there are people who can't have the bypass for medical reasons (Crohn's disease, for example). What I don't understand is the other procedures: duodenal switch, mini bypass, gastric balloon. Are there specific conditions that make these procedures the best choice? (Just curious. Always eager to learn.)

2 hours ago, Missouri-Lee's Summit said:

I find the specific reasons why people chose one procedure over the other interesting. Your reasons were unmistakably well-thought out and geared toward your needs. Not everyone is as sure about what they want or can expect from their choice. Did you believe that the sleeve was your best option from the beginning or did you briefly consider the bypass or any of the other WLS procedures?

I was only given the option between the sleeve and bypass.

I know there are people who can't have the bypass for medical reasons (Crohn's disease, for example). What I don't understand is the other procedures: duodenal switch, mini bypass, gastric balloon. Are there specific conditions that make these procedures the best choice? (Just curious. Always eager to learn.)

I read up on various procedures for a couple of years before I made the choice. Had my surgeon recommended something else, I would have given that due consideration. However, he thought the sleeve was appropriate given my starting size and my expectations. Cost was not a factor for me. I would have hit my out-of-pocket max no matter which procedure I chose.

I can say that I ruled out the balloon early. I figured that if my stomach was already distended, the balloon would help me eat less for a little while, but I'd gradually just stretch it some more to make room for what my "eyes" thought was an appropriate serving of food. Then, after 6 months, when the balloon was removed, my stomach would be even bigger than before. Also didn't want the lap-band. Had already heard of people having scarring/slippage issues.

Did not consider DS, my BMI wasn't high enough to justify it. Hadn't heard about the mini-bypass until recently, so it wasn't on my radar.

So, I mainly chose between RNY and VSG.

23 hours ago, jess9395 said:

Do you really think people have VSG so that they won’t dump so that they can cheat? Why would they even have WLS. I honestly don’t think that is anyone’s motivation.

What revision statistics are you looking at? I hope you’re not basing it on board postings because that is self selection and not population based.

And I say again, we can’t predict yet for whom which surgery will work. For many the sleeve creates a new set point and the reduction in grehlin eliminates the desire to binge—long term. I don’t understand the people on this thread who say the sleeve is temporary or short term.

This study had a 2.5% failure rate requiring revision
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5406732/

47 minutes ago, Matt Z said:

This study had a 2.5% failure rate requiring revision
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5406732/

This sentence stood out in the study you cited:

Under general anaesthesia the patients were placed in the reverse Trendelenburg position with the surgeon standing between the legs.

1 minute ago, Missouri-Lee's Summit said:

This sentence stood out in the study you cited:

Under general anaesthesia the patients were placed in the reverse Trendelenburg position with the surgeon standing between the legs.

Interesting. seems reverse Trendelenburg position appears to be just a head elevation 15-30 degrees higher than the feet. Now i'm curious what positions I was put into during the 6+ hours I was under for my revision!

32 minutes ago, Matt Z said:

Interesting. seems reverse Trendelenburg position appears to be just a head elevation 15-30 degrees higher than the feet. Now i'm curious what positions I was put into during the 6+ hours I was under for my revision!

Never mind that one, man! What position were you put in for your 20 minute colonoscopy? ROFLMFAO!!!

Just now, FluffyChix said:

Never mind that one, man! What position were you put in for your 20 minute colonoscopy? ROFLMFAO!!!

I didn't have a colonoscopy. Just the upper endoscopy.

Just now, Matt Z said:

I didn't have a colonoscopy. Just the upper endoscopy.

I know, I was just giving myself something humorous and purile to laugh about on TGIF.

ONG I'm still hung up on the surgeon between the legs maneuver. I knew my arms would be extended out to each side in a modified crucifixion pose, but IDK. my legs sprawled apart? Should I sprinkle glitter down there after my pre-surgery ? shower? The picture keeps looping through my mind. I did't realize the surgical team was getting that intimate with rest of me. If this is this formal maybe I ought to paint my toenails in Bravery Orange like Fluffy Chix recommended. And I could cover any cat scratchs with smiley face bandaids. Don't currently have any but you never know when one might decide to use me as springboard when chasing each other!???

59 minutes ago, Missouri-Lee's Summit said:

This sentence stood out in the study you cited:

Under general anaesthesia the patients were placed in the reverse Trendelenburg position with the surgeon standing between the legs.

I've had rectal surgery. So I'll bet that the "reverse Trendelenburg position" isn't the least dignified position I've been in in my life!

Hey if the Reverse Trendelenburg is basically standing me up I could have stayed awake for that! Of course, I would want to give advice as they proceeded, they would need a mouth gag or tape my ? mouth shut! I'm 72, I've lived forever, I'm just brimming with advice!!

I've had my share of colonoscopies... it's not very pretty to think about. I just remind being asked to roll to one side, which would have ruled out the reverse Trendelenburg position!

6 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

Hey if the Reverse Trendelenburg is basically standing me up I could have stayed awake for that! Of course, I would want to give advice as they proceeded, they would need a mouth gag or tape my ? mouth shut! I'm 72, I've lived forever, I'm just brimming with advice!!

I dare you... no, I double-dare you, Frustr8 , to ask your surgeon if he'll be performing the reverse Trendelenburg position on you! Then again, you're probably ornery enough to do it without being dared.

On 08/23/2018 at 13:57, Missouri-Lee's Summit said:

....this was one of the things that steered me toward a sleeve - to preserve as much of my digestive system as possible and still lose enough weight to make me healthier.

But with a sleeve, a part of your body is removed permanently. How does that compare with a bypass in which nothing is removed? With a bypass, one's digestive system is rejiggered, nothing is removed. Do surgeon's tell their patients how much stomach they intend to remove? What if they inadvertently remove too of your stomach? How would you even know? It's not likely that they'll mention it.

Have you seen how one is performed? This isn’t possible.