Final Choice

[simplysmile 10]

Hello,

I have just started the pre-op process, but haven't decided on sleeve or gastric bypass. I met with my surgeon and he explained both surgeries and the potential weightloss, complications, etc, but I'm still on the fence. What made you choose bypass and are you happy with it? Any issues? Would you do it again?

Thank you!

[Guest]

My surgeon chose it for me lol. It was a situation of: choose anyone you want. I chose and it was, here's why that's probably not what you want. Anyway, he said going from a lap band, the sleeve isn't "strong" enough and SADI-S is "too strong" for my relatively low BMI. So RNY it was.

[catwoman7 10,856]

I went with bypass because I had acid reflux issues before surgery. My surgeon said he'd do either, but he recommended bypass given my reflux issues - so I went with that. No issues. And yes - I'd make the same decision if I had to make it again today. I've been very happy with my bypass (had it almost seven years ago)

[Guest]

1 minute ago, catwoman7 said:

I went with bypass because I had acid reflux issues before surgery. My surgeon said he'd do either, but he recommended bypass given my reflux issues - so I went with that. No issues. And yes - I'd make the same decision if I had to make it again today. I've been very happy with my bypass (had it almost seven years ago)

Can I have one tip for success from a vet?

[The Greater Fool 1,949]

I chose Gastric Bypass 18 years ago because of the restriction and the malabsorption. I needed the restriction because I was a binge eater. I wanted the malabsorption because I always felt my system was over achieving. Also the prospect of a 50% chance of dumping was a plus for me as I could see sugar being a problem.

Fortunately, I do dump on sugar and fats, so I learned very early to stay on the straight and narrow.

Good luck,

Tek

[Dave In Houston 199]

I also chose the RNY because of reflux. My voice doc had been prescribing proton pump meds for 20 years, and when I mentioned to him that I wished I could get off them, he asked whether I'd ever considered weight loss surgery. I hadn't because, I wasn't as big as the people I had associated with surgery, but I was big enough, considering my various co-morbidities.

The weight loss surgeon said the bypass is the way to go for reflux, so that's what I did. I'm off the proton pump meds now. I go to the voice doc 2/25 for him to take a look at my vocal folds. It will be interesting to see whether he sees any sign of reflux.

Edited February 5, 2022 by Dave In Houston

[DaisyAndSunshine 301]

I have PCOS and slow metabolism but I wanted something that had better stats in the long run and RYN has that. Not to say sleeve doesn't since many have been successful on it as well.

But personally given my medical history and plethora of PCOS related side effects, I opted for bypass. Plus chances of revision is also high with sleeve because of reflux issue. And I didn't want take the route of having to have a second surgery if revision was needed. "ONE surgery and that should be the end of it" was my thought process. Hence even after being confused, I finally opted for bypass.

I know many prefer sleeve because of less chances of dumping and malnutrition, so it depends if those look tempting for you. Though there are 70% of by-passers who also don't dump, myself including. I always wanted a weight loss route that didn't restrict my diet (reason why I hated Keto and other carbs restrictive diets, my binge eating always worsened with them). Even then I took my chance with bypass thinking I shall see when I cross the bridge. And fortunately, I don't dump (at least with some of the sugary and fatty foods I have tried till now).

So give consideration to your medical history, your metabolism, stats and pros and cons of each and go with your gut feeling. That's what I did and so far I haven't regretted it *fingers crossed*

[LaoDaBeirut 158]

I was open for either but my surgeon chose sleeve for me. The reasoning was that if I didn't lose enough or had issues, I would still have the option for a revision to lose more if I needed whereas bypass is a one shot deal. Also I'm an athlete and the malabsorption issues might have caused a problem with a high activity level. I think sleeve was the right choice for me and while my loss has been slower than some I've been able to maintain muscle mass which I don't think I could have done with the bypass.

[waterwoman 172]

I chose bypass because it had the best loss stats and I wanted to give myself the best chance of success

[liveaboard15 1,292]

I chose Sleeve because of the price lol. bypass was like another 5-7 grand and i am already paying $18K+ for sleeve.

[huskymama 149]

My sister had the bypass 25 years ago she used to get a blood transfusion due to being anemic about once or twice a year at about year 5 now she gets a blood transfusion every 2-3 months. Again she is 25 years out takes her Vitamins eats right 5’4, 125 pounds and is 62. I choose the sleeve due to things she has had issues with regarding the bypass I had gastritis and severe acid prior to surgery. They removed the bad part of my stimach with the sleeve and heading to 7 weeks out zero acid - knock on wood 

[Smanky 743]

My surgeon advised me against a sleeve because I had existing GERD. I was initially a bit daunted by the malabsorbtion and dumping risk, but quickly came to see that a bypass was the best option. Worse GERD than I already had would have been a horrible quality of life.

I got the mini bypass, or Omega Loop instead of an RNY (my surgeon prefers the Omega over the RNY), and I'm really happy with my choice. I was already a big taker of supplements anyway, so the life-time on them isn't a problem, and so far so good - no dumping. The malabsorbtion in combination with my sensitive bowels can sometimes be ... interesting, but it doesn't happen every day.

In short - I'm really pleased I got the bypass and not the sleeve.

[catwoman7 10,856]

4 hours ago, huskymama said:

My sister had the bypass 25 years ago she used to get a blood transfusion due to being anemic about once or twice a year at about year 5 now she gets a blood transfusion every 2-3 months. Again she is 25 years out takes her Vitamins eats right 5’4, 125 pounds and is 62. I choose the sleeve due to things she has had issues with regarding the bypass I had gastritis and severe acid prior to surgery. They removed the bad part of my stimach with the sleeve and heading to 7 weeks out zero acid - knock on wood

surgical techniques have improved quite a but since 25 years ago, so I wouldn't have worried about blood transfusions. In fact, this is the first time I've ever read about someone needing those, and I've been hanging around this site for about seven years. Sorry she's going through this, though. I don't know if that was common back then, but it's definitely not now. But again, techniques are different now. Years ago some people used to get "candy cane syndrome", too, but you almost never hear about that anymore. They do the surgeries differently now.

Edited February 6, 2022 by catwoman7

[catwoman7 10,856]

Honestly, they're both good surgeries, and you'll find people on here who have been extremely successful with both. If you have a medical condition that would make one or the other more appropriate for you, then listen to your surgeon. But if you don't, it really comes down to personal preference. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

[huskymama 149]

On 02/05/2022 at 19:55, catwoman7 said:

surgical techniques have improved quite a but since 25 years ago, so I wouldn't have worried about blood transfusions. In fact, this is the first time I've ever read about someone needing those, and I've been hanging around this site for about seven years. Sorry she's going through this, though. I don't know if that was common back then, but it's definitely not now. But again, techniques are different now. Years ago some people used to get "candy cane syndrome", too, but you almost never hear about that anymore. They do the surgeries differently now.

It isnt the surgery that causes her anemia its the malabsorption that you get from the bypass itself. But yes she said she had her tummy opened where i just have the laparoscopic scars. Im so glad they have improved them. But i did get the sleeve i wouldnt have dine the bypass and my GERD is gone since surgery so far.