Ok guys I have a question. I’ve been approved for VSG on September 7th I’ve been reading the forums and have seen a lot of posts about weight regain following VSG over the long term. My doctor initially wanted to do the DS but I told him I felt more comfortable with the sleeve. He told me that the DS has a more rapid initial weight loss, but over the long term both surgeries are similar in weight loss according to current data. So I guess my question is, is VSG a surgery that has a higher incidence of weight regain? I realize that everyone is different, and there’s no way to definitively know the eventual success or failure outcome, I’m just trying get real life answer from those who have experience.

Thanks in Advance

The general answer to this is probably yes, though I would couch it more in terms that the DS has better regain resistance for those who may need it. Also, I don't know about both being similar in ultimate weight loss - for those who are "moderate" in their morbid obesity (say, BMI in the 40's) both would do well, but for those in the higher BMI region, particularly 60 and above, the DS would be the choice. While we do see some in the higher ranks lose well with the sleeve, the long term weight control is the question - the DS is a stronger metabolic tool that seems to better address the problems of those in the higher BMI range. It is not unusual for those coming down from a high BMI to maintain in the 1000-1200 calorie range with the sleeve (or no WLS) which some can adapt to but many can't; the long term caloric malabsorption of the DS allows for a more normal (or natural) diet that is easier to maintain.

I have little problem controlling my weight now in the 2000-2200 calorie range, but I still have something of a "guy's" metabolism and was only moderately obese in the mid 40's so the sleeve works well for me; contrast my wife who was in the mid 60's BMI would struggle to maintain with a sleeve, but does reasonably well with her DS (not perfect, but much better than if she had a VSG or RNY) after 13-14 years.

@RickM. Thanks for your response. It makes sense. I guess I’m just worried that this will not be successful long term. I had the LapBand for about 8 years and it started off great, but like others, the complications forced me to have it removed. I was successful with it until the removal, so I am of the mindset that I will be able to stick to the new way of eating. Without the band now it just seems like I don’t get full. I’ve always wondered if it is because of the residual effects of the band. My doctor told me if I want to switch to the DS he would be comfortable with doing it , and that ultimately I have to choose the best one for me. He’s really good, from what I’ve researched one of the best in the country, so I’m confident he’s not just recommending what fits him. I just gotta make the choice.

From what I have seen, (just from others, never had the band myself,) if you were able to successfully maintain a good weight with the band, but the band failed mechanically, then you should be able to do similarly with the sleeve. Those who have trouble with this revision are those who were never able to make the band work in the first place - they figured out how to "eat around" their WLS, and if one is intent on eating around one WLS, they will likely work out how to eat around another WLS.