RNY vs VSG

Thanks, Kim,  your my first RNY responder.  I appreciate your input.   Good luck on your journey!

You have choices that's good.  With the exception that you are undecided! :( I agree it has to be your choice but you are doing the right thing to get others input.  That's what I did too.  I researched and researched before I had my surgery.
Personally I would have chosen the VSG if I had been given a choice. I liked the idea that my stuff wouldn't have to be re-routed.  But my insurance wouldn't pay for it and they would pay for RNY.  So I did the RNY and I'm very happy with it.  I was just more afraid of the complications from RNY.  But I haven't had any.  I was a BIG time sweet eater too!  I still like them.  Too much sugar puts me in a coma like state and I get really nauseous.  Its no fun so I limit my sugar big time.  I will occasionally have a sweet treat but nothing like I used to.  I mean just a bite here and there.
I have learned to use splenda (wal-mart Brand) and I make my desserts with it.  Its good to me and I know I can enjoy a treat and not feel guilty.
I hope you find your way and make your decision.  Just pray about it and listen to other people's input, do your research and you'll make the right choice for YOU!!!
Hugs!
Kim J!.

Thanks for your input.  Your post really helped me.  I will continue to pray and research.

I have to agree with everyone else as far as this is a very personal decision as far as what procedure would be best for you.  I started with this journey with a BMI of 64.9 - 408 pounds.  I had the same delima in that I was cash pay and knew that I would only ever do this one time as far as weight loss surgery.  I finally had a serious one on one with Dr. Walton and told him I needed his help and guidance for me as far as which one he thought would be a better fit for me and my co-morbidities.  I was an insulin dependant diabetic.  I was on 140 units on insulin per day.  The RNY by passes the part of the stomach where the problem comes in as far as with the pancreas and my diabetis was automatically fixed so to speak.  My last insulin injection was the day before surgery and have not had anything for it since.  My last A-1C was 5.4 and I am so thankful for that.  I also had sleep apnea..no longer need the C-pap.  I did have acid reflux and that is resolved..no more meds for that.  No more blood pressure meds.  No more collesterol medication.  I take nothing more than my required supplements...vitamins etc.  The RNY patients will take more of them that the VSG people because we have malabsorbtion issues. 

I was a big time sweet eater like you say you are and I will get very sick when I do try to eat them now.  That was a big draw for me because I didn't want to be able to eat around my procedure.

I wish you all the luck in whatever decision you make.  I have many friends who have had the VSG and been very successful with their WLS as well.  The big difference is there is no long term data on the VSG because they haven't been doing it as long.  RNY has been around a long time.  I'd just give it a lot of thought and visit with your surgeon and ask for his help in making the wise decision for you and your lifestyle. 

You won't go wrong with either procedure.  This is a life changing journey and I would do it over in a heartbeat!!!  =)

Thanks, that was a lot of great information.   You are doing great!!!!!!!

Like the others, it has to be your decision.  My final decision was because of what Dr. Walton said to me.  I asked him what he recommended.  He wanted me to have the RNY because of the amount of weight I had to lose, (my BMI was 60+), and because I had so many complications, such as uncontrolled diabetes even with insulin, high blood pressure, I could hardly walk across the room without getting winded, etc.  He said it would be better if I would get the weight off as fast as I could.  So, look at that too.  How much weight do you have to lose?  What are your co-morbidities?  Either decision you make will be a good one.  Good luck, Michael 

Thanks, Michael, for responding.  Every bit of information that people share helps me.

Have you considered the Duodenal Switch???  You should check it out at www.dsfacts.com and www.duodenalswitch.com, and go to the DS forum here on OH.  I'm pre-op, but have researched all the options very thoroughly and am convinced the DS is the only surgery I would even consider having. 

The DS is amazing - it has the highest % of weight loss, highest % of keeping weight off, highest % of curing co-morbidities, AND there are very few food restrictions (basic DS diet is hi protein, HI FAT , and low carb - sugar is limited but not restricted), no dumping, no chewing food into oblivion, and you can actually drink liquids before *during* and after meals!  In essence - you can still be a normal person! 

That said, I'm not sure there's a surgeon in OK who is doing it now, but there are some good ones in TX and nearby states (Dr. Husted in KY is one of the best it seems). It's important to have a surgeon who is very familiar with the DS. The two websites above have good surgeon lists (OH unfortunately isn't always as accurate.)  I moved to NY from OK last summer (why I'm lurking around on the OK forum - I miss Tulsa!  ), and am so happy to have a good DS surgeon nearby. But if I didn't, I wouldn't have thought twice about going out of state for it. This is a lifetime decision, and I don't want to spend the rest of my life regretting my choice (or having to have another surgery to revise my first choice). 

Check it out!!!!!!  

I do know that neither surgeon at WeightWise do the Duodunal Switch.  I don't think Dr. Gornichec does them either and I'm not positive but I don't think that's an option at the Norman group either.