RNY instead of VSG

[BypassTheBS 49]

Its been awhile since my last post so I just wanted to mention progress so far

Still in the very early insurance approval process. I'm just hitting the 40 BMI qualification so I'm just trying to maintain while also taking my doctors dieting advice.

I had a few tests done already: sleep apnea = negative, H Pylori = negative. I have the Abdominal Ultrasound coming up.

While doing some research and talking to a few people who have been post op for years I've learned the sleeve can cause pretty bad GERD and need the possibility of revision to RNY. Because I want to avoid revision surgery, GERD, and long-term/indefinite PPI use I talked to my doctor about RNY instead and right now she's against it but suggested adding the endoscopy to the test list. If all checks out with the endoscopy I still want to change to RNY instead 🤞

So moving right along 😊

Edited March 14, 2023 by SleevedGyal601

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,816]

I had the sleeve and got REALLY bad gerd. It caused gastritis and esophagitis, so I was put on really high PPI for a long time, which caused pre-cancerous polyps and nodules through my stomach and duodenum. I'm in the middle of having them all removed before I can have my revision to the bypass. I have loved my sleeve, but if I knew then what I know now, I'd choose the bypass instead. This has been a true nightmare.

[BypassTheBS 49]

9 minutes ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

I had the sleeve and got REALLY bad gerd. It caused gastritis and esophagitis, so I was put on really high PPI for a long time, which caused pre-cancerous polyps and nodules through my stomach and duodenum. I'm in the middle of having them all removed before I can have my revision to the bypass. I have loved my sleeve, but if I knew then what I know now, I'd choose the bypass instead. This has been a true nightmare.

Wow what a battle. I'm glad to hear you're pulling through all that's going on and truly wish you the best!

Did you have acid reflux before surgery? Some research says after sleeve it develops or worsens.

[heatherdbby 70]

3 hours ago, SleevedGyal601 said:

Its been awhile since my last post so I just wanted to mention progress so far

Still in the very early insurance approval process. I'm just hitting the 40 BMI qualification so I'm just trying to maintain while also taking my doctors dieting advice.

I had a few tests done already: sleep apnea = negative, H Pylori = negative. I have the Abdominal Ultrasound coming up.

While doing some research and talking to a few people who have been post op for years I've learned the sleeve can cause pretty bad GERD and need the possibility of revision to RNY. Because I want to avoid revision surgery, GERD, and long-term/indefinite PPI use I talked to my doctor about RNY instead and right now she's against it but suggested adding the endoscopy to the test list. If all checks out with the endoscopy I still want to change to RNY instead 🤞

So moving right along 😊

fingers crossed for you! not that I would ever wish that someone would find something medical wrong with them, i will say that the EGD is what did it for me.
I wanted to do sleeve, but I showed silent reflux and ulcers from it on my EGD so def would have had more GERD after. Now that I am almost six months out from RNY I am super happy with my choice.

[catwoman7 10,866]

the majority of sleevers don't develop GERD, but about 30% do. Usually it's mild enough that it can be controlled medically (PPIs, usually), but in some cases it's so severe that the only option is revision. I don't know the percentage of those who have to get a revision, but it's probably pretty low - but still, yes, it's something to consider when trying to make a decision.

some people with pre-op GERD are willing to take the risk, and often they luck out and it doesn't get any worse (and for some, it improves), but I wasn't willing to take the risk. I was afraid I'd be one of the unlucky ones, so I went with bypass. I love my bypass and am glad I made that decision.

I think a lot of surgeons prefer doing VSG because it's an easier surgery (for them) and there are fewer potential complications with it (although honestly, not many people have complications with bypass, either), but they'll often suggest RNY to their patients who already struggle with GERD, because there's a change it could get worse. RNY will usually improve if not cure GERD.

good luck with your decision - it's not an easy one. And remember that ultimately it's your body and your choice. My surgeon did say he'd do the VSG if I wanted it, but he wanted me to at least consider RNY since I had GERD. I'm glad I made the choice I did - but he would have done either one.

[BypassTheBS 49]

6 minutes ago, heatherdbby said:

fingers crossed for you! not that I would ever wish that someone would find something medical wrong with them, i will say that the EGD is what did it for me.
I wanted to do sleeve, but I showed silent reflux and ulcers from it on my EGD so def would have had more GERD after. Now that I am almost six months out from RNY I am super happy with my choice.

I do experience a mild acid reflux occasionally and had an whole episode a few years back. Sounds like silent reflux to me.

My goal is to definitely avoid the possibility of it getting worse

[BypassTheBS 49]

6 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

the majority of sleevers don't develop GERD, but about 30% do. Usually it's mild enough that it can be controlled medically (PPIs, usually), but in some cases it's so severe that the only option is revision. I don't know the percentage of those who have to get a revision, but it's probably pretty low - but still, yes, it's something to consider when trying to make a decision.

some people with pre-op GERD are willing to take the risk, and often they luck out and it doesn't get any worse (and for some, it improves), but I wasn't willing to take the risk. I was afraid I'd be one of the unlucky ones, so I went with bypass. I love my bypass and am glad I made that decision.

I think a lot of surgeons prefer doing VSG because it's an easier surgery (for them) and there are fewer potential complications with it (although honestly, not many people have complications with bypass, either), but they'll often suggest RNY to their patients who already struggle with GERD, because there's a change it could get worse. RNY will usually improve if not cure GERD.

good luck with your decision - it's not an easy one. And remember that ultimately it's your body and your choice. My surgeon did say he'd do the VSG if I wanted it, but he wanted me to at least consider RNY since I had GERD. I'm glad I made the choice I did - but he would have done either one.

I agree with surgeons preferring to VSG because it may be an easier surgery for them. I'm on pre op appointment 7 of 12 when I brought up the change from sleeve to RNY and her tone also changed

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,816]

16 minutes ago, SleevedGyal601 said:

Wow what a battle. I'm glad to hear you're pulling through all that's going on and truly wish you the best!

Did you have acid reflux before surgery? Some research says after sleeve it develops or worsens.

No, I did not have gerd or reflux before the surgery. That's why I chose the sleeve. Less risks, no issues with extended release meds, no risks of stricture or dumping. Seemed like the right choice. Now...I wish I had done the bypass instead.