Hi all!! (SLEEVE OR BYPASS).... running out of time!
I am scheduled to go in for my sleeve this Weds. I have been learning and reading so much and now I feel that perhaps a bypass might be a better choice for me. My fear is that I might develop bad reflux in the future and would need a revision to a gastric bypass. I don’t have any symptoms of that now, however I have read so many posts from people that have had this happen. My Dr is basically saying it’s my decision. I have fears that I will make the wrong choice..... Any advice would b much appreciated!!!

I think your best bet would be one that YOU are comfortable with. Barring any previous history of GERD (which you dont have) either choice will likely give you success so long as you follow your plan. There are potential problems for both (for any surgery for that matter) which you can never really predict.

Good Luck!

Thank u so much. Did u have any complications, or major pain/ nausea issues. Also if u eat carbs/ sugar did u ever experience the “ dumping syndrome?

My surgery and subsequent recovery was very uneventful. No complications, minimal pain (I only took pain meds the first day/night in hospital, then nothing after that), and no regular nausea*

*I did (and still to to a lesser extent) get nausea and other side effects (racing heart, lethargy/tiredness, diarrhea) if I eat too much sugar So yeah, I do dump. But this is all self-inflicted, lol. The worst is when I eat regular-sugar ice cream, yikes.

With that said, if you poll enough people, you'll probably get a whole spectrum of experiences

it's hard to say if you'll develop reflux or not. If you had reflux BEFORE surgery (which you said you haven't), most surgeons will recommend bypass, but if you don't, it's kind of a toss up. Some people do develop it, some don't. I agree with the above poster in that you should just choose which one you think would be best for you. I chose bypass because I had GERD prior to surgery, otherwise, I'm not sure which way I would have gone. There are a lot of people who've been successful with both surgeries.

I got a sleeve. If I had had GERD, I would have gotten a bypass. My surgery went great. It's been 13 months and I only got nauseous right after surgery if I ate too much. I haven't had any reflux or complications and I can eat small amounts of carbs or sugar, like a roll or Skinny Cow ice cream, without dumping syndrome.

What are your reasons for not wanting RNY? Why are you choosing Sleeve over RNY? What do you see as the pros and cons of each one?

Hi!
Im concerned that RNY is a more complicated surgery. Also the “potential for dumping”. I am 58 and have had 7 prior orthopedic surgeries with 6 of them having complications, as have a lot of fear.

not really much more complicated than cutting out 80% of your stomach and tossing it in the garbage. I think both are pretty invasive.

and yes - there's a potential for dumping - but not everyone dumps. I never have. The statistic I see thrown around a lot is that around 30% of RNY'ers dump. I don't know if there's any medical research to back that statistic up, but I do know that a LOT of us have never dumped. And dumping is pretty easy to control if you're one of the unfortunate ones (or fortunate, depending on your perspective - some people WANT to dump to keep them from eating junk). It's caused by eating too much sugar. SO...just don't gorge on sugar (most dumpers can eat SOME sugar - but too much at one sitting will cause them to dump)

P.S. I don't know the actual statistics, but it seems like your chance of being a dumper with RNY are roughly the same as getting acid reflux with the sleeve. Neither is particularly desirable. Which do you think you can live with, if you develop one or the other?

Great point. I do realize that, , however from what I understand, the reflux can just develop, even if u follow the program meticulously. The dumping I think can somewhat b controlled by what and how I eat ( too much sugar & carbs,) If so I’m more in favor of RNY so I am I. Control......

...btw, RNY'ers don't have the monopoly on dumping. I'm a sleever. I dump.

Edited November 30, 20196 yr by ms.sss

And 8 am a RNY & in nearly 15 months, I haven't yet- of course I v9mit before I even get close- thinking of getting a T Shirt that says URP-P-P!!! in Big Bold Letters?

Thank u everyone for all of ur comments and support!

Very much appreciated ?

I had both surgeries. Sleeve back in 2018 and revision last week.

I got sick when I ate anything rich and sweet with my sleeve. So, having a sleeve will not necessarily keep you from getting something close to dumping syndrome.

Good luck with your decision!

Bypass -I only dumped once very early due to flavored meds. I sometimes get discomfort like a dull ache with too much sugar but No nausea/vomiting. I ate a half piece of pumpkin pie (so 1/16 of the pie) and didn’t dump. I’ve had a mini piece of Halloween candy, 1 cookie or 1-2 bites of regular ice cream and never did. Each time was only that 1 thing and I purposely ate protein with it so it wasn’t just sugar on an empty stomach. No alcohol trued as of yet and no plans to. I had GERD so felt for me the sleeve wasn’t an option.