I have a question I want to gastric bypass because of 30 years of acid reflux I've always suffered from gerd if I stop taking my medication for more than one day I'm in agony. But doctors keep telling me the sleeve is better. What can I say to convince them differently?

If you have any predisposition for reflux you should get the bypass

If you have any predisposition for reflux you should get the bypass

That's what I keep saying but it seems that's what want me to do meeting with my doctor in 2 weeks

That's what I keep saying but it seems that's what want me to do meeting with my doctor in 2 weeks

No they want me to get the sleeve

8 minutes ago, MissLadyK said:

I have a question I want to gastric bypass because of 30 years of acid reflux I've always suffered from gerd if I stop taking my medication for more than one day I'm in agony. But doctors keep telling me the sleeve is better. What can I say to convince them differently?

General practitioner or Bariatric/Metabolic Surgeon?

I'm surprised they are pushing you to get the sleeve with your history of gerd. It would make me wonder if they're more confident in preforming the sleeve rather than RNY. You might want to get a second opinion.

General practitioner or Bariatric/Metabolic Surgeon?

Bariatric surgeon

41 minutes ago, MissLadyK said:

Bariatric surgeon

Get a few more opinions

I had reflux prior to my bypass, and my surgeon wouldn't do the sleeve on me because of it. I'm a little surprised that your doctors would recommend the sleeve! Why do they think it is "better"? Both surgeries are good, just different, and sometimes people just aren't good candidates for one or the other. Maybe check out a different surgeon???

I had a long history of GERD and Acid Reflux. I'm 54 years old. I had the sleeve 8 months ago. Now I no longer have either Acid Reflux or GERD. Both are gone.

I had GERD pre-surgery. No way would I get the sleeve. GERD doesn't get worse for *everyone* who gets the sleeve, but it does for a sizable minority. There are several people on bariatric internet forums who've revised to bypass because of it. I would definitely get the bypass. I suspect this surgeon is just more familiar with the sleeve - and it's also a quicker, easier surgery, so less complicated for him. I'd be really tempted to get a second opinion. You're the one who'll have to leave with the potential GERD problem, not him.

Go to a different surgeon. Maybe the one you have been referred to isn’t skilled enough to perform a bypass and only feels comfortable with the sleeve.

I agree- see someone else. I had GERD and Barrett's esophagitis with a Barrett's polyp. My surgeon did not even give a 2nd thought to doing gastric bypass because of the history. He told me that anyone with bad GERD before surgery could have it worse after a sleeve, and in those cases, bypass is the better option. My GERD is gone now. If you have GERD now, you may end up with a revision to bypass down the road, and IMHO, why not just get the bypass now and be done with it.

8 hours ago, MissLadyK said:

I want to do gastric bypass

I think the above says it all.

This is YOUR body and you get to make the choice. Don't be afraid to speak up, ask the questions and, if needed, move on to a surgeon willing to do what you feel you need.

8 hours ago, MissLadyK said:

What can I say to convince them differently?

I would not try too hard to convince a doctor, honestly. I would present it as "this is what I am interested in doing" and he/she is either on board, or not. Ask how many bypass surgeries he/she has performed- it is a good clue into his/her skill set.

I had GERD before surgery. So far, 8 weeks out of bypass surgery, I have not. It was a major factor in choosing bypass for myself.

Good luck to you!

31 minutes ago, FluffySaysForkIt! said:

I think the above says it all.

This is YOUR body and you get to make the choice. Don't be afraid to speak up, ask the questions and, if needed, move on to a surgeon willing to do what you feel you need.

I would not try too hard to convince a doctor, honestly. I would present it as "this is what I am interested in doing" and he/she is either on board, or not. Ask how many bypass surgeries he/she has performed- it is a good clue into his/her skill set.

I had GERD before surgery. So far, 8 weeks out of bypass surgery, I have not. It was a major factor in choosing bypass for myself.

Good luck to you!

Great advice! My surgeon asked me what I wanted and was comfortable with even though he and his partner were pioneers in laparoscopic RNY. I never felt pressured to get one surgery over the other.

I'm having the sleeve done, but started noticing a bit more heart burn and reflux recently so was getting worried when reading about the preference for bypass ... so firstly @GradyCat that's so encouraging, and wonderful, for you to hear the sleeve has actually improved yours. @MissLadyK what do they say when you ask them why the sleeve is better given the issues you mentioned and getting another surgeons opinion as others have suggested might be a good idea given your concerns