Second-guessing the VSG

Hi, all.  Happy Monday and happy June!

I had my post-orientation visit with the Nurse Practitioner last week, and I expressed to her my intention to request a VSG over an RNY.  This is for a few reasons, like the fact that I get migraines semi-regularly and don't want to limit my medication choices, and the fact that it seems far less invasive than RNY, offers no dumping syndrome and no blind stomach in the case of cancer, and RNY just generally kind of squicks me out.  

But the nurse was really pushing for RNY.  She talked about how RNY offers more weight loss sustained in the long term, and how I'll "probably never get to my goal weight either way" so it's better to go for the option with more loss—my goal is 130lbs, and I'm 250 now.  She said with VSG I'd probably not get lower than 190 in the long term, which was discouraging for me.  

Should I cave and just agree to RNY?  If you have any thoughts or comments, I'd appreciate them greatly.  I understand both procedures, but I left the NP appointment feeling pretty confused.

Thanks.

There are plenty of people on here who were told that they'd never get to goal - and did. That being said, I wanted VSG for all of the same reasons and caved to the RNY. It has more history, longevity, but I was also VERY heavy and I knew that ultimately I'd benefit from the malabsorption. 

By the way... cutting your stomach in half is cutting your stomach in half and VSG goes lengthwise whereas RNY is straight across. I do not feel that VSG is "less invasive" and there are other drawbacks - read up on the GERD issues VSG has. I personally never suffered from it, but I never want to either. Ultimately I'm happy with my decision but I know that it's not for everyone. 

Thanks!  It does make me feel better to hear from someone who was in a similar position.

The VSGers will jump in with their thoughts of course, but I've had ZERO complications. I feel awesome, my clothes fit better, I don't need a seatbelt extender for my car anymore, my feet no longer swell up, I walk with a new found confidence and swagger, lol. I could not be happier with my decision... over 100 lbs gone in 5 months.

WHAT that's amazing!  Congrats!  Do you mind if I ask what your starting weight was?

370, I'm 266 as of this morning.

So happy for you! You go, girl! :)

For what it's worth, my migraines all but disappeared after my RNY.  Intead of getting them every week or two, I get them maybe twice a year, during very stormy weather.  Keep that in mind!  (Migraines may also not be a strong enough argument for the doctor...but you'd need to discuss with your Centre...there are other medications for migraines that are not NSAIDS.) 

There are pros and cons to both procedures.  Examine them carefully.  Look up the various studies to see the differentials between procedures, and long-term results.  The numbers do tell a story.

Good luck!

DD

This is really reassuring.  Thanks!  I'll definitely look into it more.