Making the surgery choice, which one?

[ms.sss 14,775]

Alot of folks already said more or less the same thing, but I'll throw in my 2 cents anyway:

I chose sleeve because:

• I was afraid of dumping (but...I dump anyway)
• I wanted to continue using NSAIDs (but...I ended up not needing them anymore anyway)
• I was personally freaked out a bit by the re-routing of my intestines (but...not cutting out my stomach? lol)
• I DID NOT have GERD.
• I only had a choice between sleeve and bypass cuz those were the only ones covered by my insurance, so I didn't consider any other procedure.

I think that one's results with WLS has more to do with the person, than with the type of surgery. I'm convinced I would have had the same result if I had the bypass. But that's just me.

Some background and current statuses:

I'm 5'2", almost 50yr old female, started off at 235 lbs at the beginning of my 2 week pre-op diet...2.5 years ago.

I got to goal of 127 lbs in 7 months (108 lbs lost at that time).

I settled into 115 lbs by 10 months post-op and stayed there basically since...but not without a bit of effort on my part. 3 times I got up to 120 lbs for a few consecutive days, and subsequently made efforts to get back down to 115. And 4-5 times I went sub-110 lbs for a few consecutive days, but didn't have to make any effort at all to get back to 115, go figure. This morning I was 109.2 lbs.

I consumed very little calories during weight loss phase, and exercised regularly starting month 3 (running/walking mostly, and minimal strength training daily). No complications, nor issues other than those expected (dump with sugar, foamies/chest pressure if I eat too much or too fast, need to barf if I drink with my meals, burp like a teenage boy)

At 2.5 years out, up until a month ago, I was averaging around 1800 cals a day with regular exercise (running & strength training 4-5 times a week). Currently I'm playing around with calories as I'm sidelined on the exercise front, which explains my lower weight these days cuz I haven't figured it out yet. I mostly eat salads (by choice, I LOOOVE salads!) , but I also eat Desserts, spicy stuff, fried stuff, fatty stuff, drink coffee, alcohol and carbonated Water. On rare occasions I eat bread or potatoes, but I don't eat rice nor regular Pasta. I max out at about 1 to 1.5 cups of food per sitting (more if its salad)

My lab results have consistently been uneventful (my last one was in November last year).

So....so far so good. I have no illusions that I will be like this forever...but that's on me, not my sleeve.

[HeatherE 199]

3 hours ago, Pilot my best self said:

I have 150+ to lose, am pre-diabetic with hbp and periodic reflux.
I was thinking sleeve because the idea of malabsorption scares me and the need for supplements feels restrictive. And i am afraid that I will not enjoy dinners out and even have difficulty getting enough macros in with the small pouch.
but I have a lot to lose and felt “in for a penny, in for 150 lbs.” 😉

I also like that it is reversible (technically) if I have serious problems.
I have been wavering since the beginning too, but am settled on the GB as the best option for successful long term outcome. my surgeon did not push one over the other, but clearly agreed that GB was a better option for me once I indicated I was leaning in that direction.

surgery is 3/26 and I just want to be 6 mo post op already!!

good luck. I think either choice will get us to a much healthier place.

Sounds like we had almost the same thought process. I’m going with bypass too (surgery tomorrow). I think we made the right choice!

[Pilot my best self 51]

17 minutes ago, HeatherE said:

Sounds like we had almost the same thought process. I’m going with bypass too (surgery tomorrow). I think we made the right choice!

Awesome!!! Congratulations and best wishes for quick recovery. 5 days to go for me. Just think, You’ll be 4 days post op and over the worst of it by the time I go for surgery!

[Pilot my best self 51]

3 hours ago, OAGBPal said:

My bypass is about twice as long as what you'll have with the RNY, and my bloodwork so far is awesome with Calcium + regular Multivitamins. I've gone from being deficient in Vit D and Iron to being normal after surgery.

Sounds like there’s so many benefits to the miniGB. I’ve been Vitamin D deficient for most of my life. I don’t know much about miniGB. But sounds like it was really successful!

[HeatherE 199]

3 hours ago, Pilot my best self said:

Awesome!!! Congratulations and best wishes for quick recovery. 5 days to go for me. Just think, You’ll be 4 days post op and over the worst of it by the time I go for surgery!

Thank you! I’ll be the test run (haha). I’m sure everything will go fine for both of us. I thought I’d be freaking out and perhaps backing out, but I’m surprisingly calm. Ready for it to be over!