Second-guessing the VSG

Thanks so much for the input, Karen. :)

I just want to add that this is how support should be. So many people hear stuff they may not want to hear and get offended. This poster is a glowing example of hearing both sides and thanking for the input. 

I was thinking that before I read your post. So true !

This is really sweet of you.  Thanks.  :3

Another severe migraine sufferer here who hasn't had a single one in the 2.5 years since having my RNY. I also wanted the VSG due to getting migraines sometimes as often as two or three times a week, with the only cure being taking Advil as soon as the aura started coming on.

At my surgeon appointment, I requested it, and he told me that you aren't really supposed to take NSAIDS with the VSG either, and in fact, the cut line with the VSG is much longer than with the RNY, which gives you just as much chance to get ulcers.

Also, while some people consider dumping syndrome to be a complication, I consider it to be a behaviour modification tool. I don't think I'd have lost this much weight without it, personally, and at this stage of my journey when the honeymoon is over and bounceback looms, I think I'd have bounced back more without the dumping.  (Although to be fair, there's no guarantee that you'll have dumping with the RNY - lots of people don't.) 

I have no idea what the stats are like for reaching goal with RNY and VSG. In fact, through TWH, they didn't even set goal weights for us - they asked us what our goals were and liked it better when our goals were non-scale-based.  I think their measure of "success" for the program is if you lose something like 80% of your excess weight over the BMI or something like that - I forget the exact formula. In any case, by their standards, even with the bit of bounceback I've had (which I've wrestled under control lately), I still fall within their "success" bounds.

I wanted the VSG because I felt like it sounded more natural - the food still goes through all the same stomach channels, but the stomach just holds way, way less. So, restriction only, and no malabsorption. But honestly, now that I have the RNY, I wouldn't have it any other way. It has really worked for me.

Anyhow, that's just my point of view as someone who wanted the VSG for similar reasons to you but "caved" as well and did the RNY. I'm glad I did now. But I know there are also lots of people out there who have the VSG who are doing well.  I think people can make the best of any of the surgical tools they get.

Good luck!

This is super helpful.  The more I read about everything, the more I start to think that maybe RNY is the way to go after all.

I would never cave to RNY. If I was refused here, I was all ready to go to Mexico. Got some nasty comments about that from Humber's doctor, that's why I transferred to TWH and never looked back. I also lost 130 lb in 8 months, I am at normal weight and normal BMI. My personal goal would be 30 lb less for vanity purposes but there is still loose skin and I am just picking up the speed on my workouts, didn't have strength before. RNY is not an older procedure, first "sleeve" was done in 1881 and was successfully done continuously for cancer patients. I did not see any reasoning in rerouting of my intestines, malabsorption or dumping. I do believe you get the same results if you work at it.

Do your research. It is body and your health. I don't come here often as I had to delete my first account after being attacked for being uneducated and foolish in my wanting VSG only. Good luck to you.

Stats - 5'9'', HW - 295, SW - 275, CW - 165.

Thank you so much for this info.  You've given me a lot to think about.

You do what you feel is right after doing your own research, no-one should attack you for that !!!

I'm still unsure as I am new to all this and have first orientation next week at Guelph so this is very new to me.....I will take all info in gladly and make MY choice.  I just want ME back and healthy and happy !!!

Caz :)