Hello,

I've just joined and I have a question I'm hoping someone can help me with. I am in a program for bariatric surgery to be scheduled later this year. I just met with the surgeon and was told she will only perform a sleeve, I would like a bypass. She says that she constantly has patients coming back from bypass needing iron infusions or having issues with ulcers and she thinks the sleeve gives the same benefit without the risks. Basically, she only does bypass on rare occasions, like with people who have acid reflux. Has anyone encountered this before? I thought I would be able to choose my surgery and after much debate I opted for the bypass.

I'm 53, post menopause, 5-4, and 260. I would like this to be a one time surgery and not have to go back for additional one if needed. I'm also a sugar junkie and like that bypass would eliminate or limit that consumption for me.

Thanks in advance for you responses.

I wanted a bypass and my surgeon felt the sleeve overall was a better option. I asked to talk with another surgeon in the practice and after all the pre-op tests were done, both thought the bypass was the best for me due to severe GERD and severe asthma. The hiatal hernia helped in the deciding too lol! Sometimes just asking for a second set of eyes in the same practice helps. A larger practice with multiple doctors helps because they do (or should) work together like a team and they respect each other’s ideas. That only helps your health outcomes in the end.

On 8/27/2021 at 10:47 AM, crpowers said:

I'm 53, post menopause, 5-4, and 260. I would like this to be a one time surgery and not have to go back for additional one if needed. I'm also a sugar junkie and like that bypass would eliminate or limit that consumption for me.

My stats are very similar to yours - I was 54 at the time of surgery, I'm 5' 1" and my top weight was 250 pounds. I really wanted the bypass too, but it turned out it was medically contraindicated. I got a 2nd opinion and that doctor agreed it was too risky for me. So I had to go with the sleeve. I was super disappointed because I had read that bypass patients tend to lose more of their excess weight. I had the sleeve and it turned out to be really effective for me. I had no complications and I lost all my excess weight.

The big difference is, there was an actual medical reason why I couldn't have the bypass. If you're a good candidate for either surgery, then you should be able to choose the one you want. The post-op experience is not exactly the same between the two surgeries and you're the one that has to live in that post-op body. So, maybe get a second opinion and see if there is any legitimate reason you shouldn't have the bypass. If you get the thumbs up, then you'll have to decide whether or not to find a new surgeon. Sorry you've hit this road bump - the good news is, either surgery can be effective, so whatever you decide will probably work out for you.

Edited August 29, 20214 yr by Jaelzion

For what it's worth, I went into my consultation leaning toward the sleeve and my surgeon changed my mind to gastric bypass. He does perform both procedures but he recommended gastric bypass to me. I took his recommendation because he's an expert and he had good reasons for recommending gastric bypass, but if you feel strongly that you want the sleeve, consider getting a second opinion. It's a really big decision!

i asked my surgeon for his recommendation at my 1st appt, and he said, its up to me. Its been 4 mos, now, and my final appt is Tuesday, i believe i want the RYN? Because its more harsh and stricter?