RNY vs VSG

Having a very difficult time deciding between RYN vs VSG.  Started this process planning on VSG now considering RYN.  Have researched both.  Let me give you some info.  BMI:51,(now that I have lost 13 lbs it was 54) possible reflux, diverticulosis, 2 sisters have diabetes, I have sleep apnea, absolutely love sweets, and of course have a love affair with food in general.  I'm just not sure which surgery is best for ME.  Any tips or advice on helping me with my decision making?  I have been to seminars, support groups, and researched but still having a hard time with my decision.  So given the info I have provided, any ideas or opinions on which procedure may be the best choice for ME.  If there is any other info I could provide to help with your advice, ask away.  Thanks so much for helping with my confusion : )

The decision on which surgery to have has to be yours and yours alone.  I chose the VSG because of the fact that your intestines are not rerouted and the VSG is less invasive.  Now the fact that you said you love sweets might be a reason to look more to the RNY.  I hear if you have the RNY that when you eat sweets you will dump (get sick), and that will cause you to not want to eat sweets.  Some people who have had the VSG dump but it isn't as common as with the RNY.  I myself can eat sweets, they don't make me dump at all, sweets make me extremely tired but have never made me sick.  I stay away from them just because I know I shouldn't eat them and am afraid of gaining my weight back.  Hopefully more of us will chime in here and give you more advice.  Congratulations on your decision to have weight loss surgery.  Lisa  

Ya the sweets really do scare me.  Thanks so much for responding.  I still have a little time to decide.

I can't add much to what Lisa said, but just want to reiterate that only you can decide which surgery is the best one for you. Are you depending on insurance to pay? If so, will it pay for the VSG? If you know you will be self pay, then the decision is truly up to you.
Since you feel you have done adequate research, I would just encourage you to get alone, close your eyes, think about each surgery, and really pay attention to how your body reacts to each of the 2 surgeries you have narrowed your choice to. You will get a more positive sensation to one than the other. If you analyze your thoughts, too, you will see that you think more positively about one surgery than the other.
You can also make a pro and con list about each surgery. Whichever surgery has more pro items attached to it, that's probably the one you should go with.
Good luck, and do let us know what you decide.
Blessings,
Mary

Thanks for getting back with me.  I'm  going to take your advice and also keep praying!

The decision has to be yours and yours alone.  You are the one that has to live with the choice and need to be sure you made the correct choice for YOU.

I personally chose the VSG because I needed to be able to take NSAIDs for my rheumatoid arthritis.  But, had my insurance covered RNY I would have chosen that for financial reasons.  I was cash pay.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks so much for your input.  I really appreciate you taking the time to get back with me.  This is a huge decision.

A few of the reasons I chose VSG:

1  I did not want any rerouting of my intestines

2  I am more of a slaty crunchy eater than a sweet eater

3  ALL WLS was excluded from my insurance so I was self pay. Since all surgeries were excluded, any complications were too and VSG has the lowest percentage of complications.

I also did not have any comorbidities (not sure how I got so lucky that way), which (at least to me) makes RNY more attractive.

I tried to get my husband to help me make my decision but he flat out told me it was my decision to be made. For the reasons above I chose VSG -- and I could not be happier!

Thanks, Nancy, for breaking that down for me. 

1.  I could eat sweets all day long, big problem.

2.  My insurances covers all the different surgeries.

3.  My comorbidities are sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, high risk for diabetes, and I will find out 
      Monday if I have reflux ( I think I do).  I also have degenerating disc disease, diverticulitus
      and I don't know what else.   So, are you saying with the comorbidities the RNY is more 
      attractive? 

      With the beginnig BMI of 54, I'm just almost thinking I need the RNY to get off ALL the
      weight.  I don't know.  I'm so confused and overwhelmed.  

      I really appreciate the responses I'm receiving. 

I had 3 options... Lap Band, VSG and RNY..

I had/have type 2 diabetes, High blood pressure, High cholesterol and a BMI of 49. I wanted Lap Band to start, but after the seminar that was no longer a consideration for me. I considered the VSG, but I felt that I needed the malabsorption of the RNY to be successful in this journey. I also like the fact that with the dumping issues, it would curb my wanting sweets (and so far it definitely has, as my lips have not touched cake since May 2,2009 @ my daughters wedding). I was a big time sweet/bread eater and the thought of dumping (because I have done it once on potato soup a week out) had kept me in line on my plan. I am VERY happy with my choice, and I know other's who have VSG who a VERY happy with their choice. It can be a hard choice, so make sure you weigh the pro's and con's of each surgery type.

Like everyone else said, it is a personal decision, but it is always good to get feedback from people who have been there done that. Good Luck and much success with whatever surgery you decide to have.
Kim