Hi my name is Jen! I am just beginning my pre-op testing and had my initial consult with my surgeon this past Friday. I’ve done a lot of research about the sleeve and the bypass but I am struggling with choosing which would be the best for me. I’m curious how did you choose the best option for you? What was the deciding factor for the surgery you chose?

I'd been leaning toward getting the sleeve. I'd done a lot of research and figured it was the best option for me. I wasn't opposed to having the bypass, I just wasn’t too keen on the idea of having my intestines rerouted. Plus, I wanted to avoid issues with malabsorption and dumping syndrome. However, when I had my consultation, I was told my BMI was too high for the doctor to even consider doing the bypass on me. I did manage to lose enough weight during the 6-month medically supervised diet requirement to qualify for the bypass, but I still chose to move forward with the sleeve.

Edited February 17, 20197 yr by nomdeplume

I’ve seen Way too many sleeve to bypass revisions. I went for the bypass

I was leaning toward the sleeve; however, my surgeon told me that I might have to have the bypass depending on the amount of damage GERD/ulcers have done to my stomach. I have an endoscopy and EGD/Bravo scheduled over the next month to make the determination.

My doctor wouldn't do the sleeve on me because I have reflux disease not well controlled by meds. He said the sleeve would make the reflux worse. In addition, i preferred the bypass because although it seems more drastic, i think for me it will be more effective. Having bypass 3/27/19.

I went for a bypass because I didn't think a sleeve would work for me, I looked at both options for a long time and in the end every one has different reasons for choosing one or the other, I needed two hip replacements, My starting weight was 338lbs. and I am now 176 lbs in 15 months. I have no problems with dumping syndrome or Absorption I take vitamins every day which isn't that bad and my last blood test was good. I am very happy with my decision and feel a lot healthier and happier.

My surgeon recommends the sleeve for anyone who has no GERD issues.

On 2/17/2019 at 5:47 PM, losingtolivewithjen said:

Hi my name is Jen! I am just beginning my pre-op testing and had my initial consult with my surgeon this past Friday. I’ve done a lot of research about the sleeve and the bypass but I am struggling with choosing which would be the best for me. I’m curious how did you choose the best option for you? What was the deciding factor for the surgery you chose?

Okay I've been doing research for months now everything I've read points to RNY BYPASS.

1. Reflux is better

2. Higher percentage weight loss in first year

3. Helps fix more co morbidities.

4. Malabsorption helps lose weight by absorb less calories.

5. So many people revised from sleeve to bypass.

6. Smaller pouch less food.

7. Hunger hormone is better with bypass so full quicker.

8. Some people are fixed of diabetes type2 very quick after surgery due to better metabolism.

There's so much information available via Google but the bypass is proved to be better long term success and if you've got 100lbs or more to lose.

You only want to have one operation not two even if sleeve do become bypass it's not the same as a Virgin bypass!

Goodluck!!

Thanks everyone for your responses! I appreciate it. I originally was thinking that I wanted to get the gastric bypass since I've heard that type 2 diabetes is more quickly managed with the surgery and the ability to lose a higher percentage of weight in the first year. However, I had my consultation with my surgeon on Friday and he discussed both the sleeve and bypass. I've had my gall-bladder removed and a pelvic surgery and he mentioned that when someone has had pelvic surgery like I have that a few times he has run into issues performing the gastric bypass and that it was something for me to consider when I make my choice. However, he is leaving the choice up to me. I'm just afraid if I go with the sleeve that I won't be happy with the results but at the same time if my scarring is too bad from my previous surgeries he might not be able to perform the bypass on the day of surgery and have to end the surgery. So I'm torn between having the sleeve and maybe not being happy with the results and developing GERD or risking it and having the bypass with the chance of not being able to have the surgery.

My Dr. told me that if he could not preform the bypass, and could only do the sleeve, then he would do the sleeve, and advise me afterwards.

i had servere gerd, and the sleeve could make it worse. so i had no choice i had to get the bypass. honestly, if you do what you are supposed to the bypass isnt that bad. ive never had a problem with dumping and all my medical conditions are gone. sleep apnea, gerd, high blood pressure, pre diabetic, everything is gone day 1.

8 hours ago, DuckDuckGoose said:

My Dr. told me that if he could not preform the bypass, and could only do the sleeve, then he would do the sleeve, and advise me afterwards.

Find a better surgeon!! That's just WRONG

I don't see it that way.

3 minutes ago, DuckDuckGoose said:

I don't see it that way.

Is there any major reason why the bypass may not be done otherwise it seems like the surgeon is not confident I know what I want and I will be telling the Dr if he says otherwise I'll find another doctor. Good luck with it all

9 hours ago, Mikeyy said:

Is there any major reason why the bypass may not be done otherwise it seems like the surgeon is not confident I know what I want and I will be telling the Dr if he says otherwise I'll find another doctor. Good luck with it all

My doctor does not recommend the bypass over the sleeve unless someone has GERD or there is another medical reason not to get sleeved. I'm sure she would do bypass if someone had a reason for doing it. She's runs one of the topic hospital WLS programs in Boston.

But the practice of going and and seeing what kind of scarring and issues someone has and then deciding which surgery to do is more common than you would think.

11 hours ago, Mikeyy said:

Is there any major reason why the bypass may not be done otherwise it seems like the surgeon is not confident I know what I want and I will be telling the Dr if he says otherwise I'll find another doctor. Good luck with it all

He is a great Dr.

This was when I was asking questions. about worst case scenarios. If something should happen, and I needed to have a bypass instead of a sleeve.. He Said we know what surgery we are doing before hand, and that would never happen, but if I choose to have something like the Duodenal Switch, and he couldn't complete it due to scar tissue or some major unforeseen issue, then since he was already in there, he would do what he could.(bypass/sleeve) as I was already under.