In need of help from my fellow sleevers!!!

Everyone gave you such good information and their thoughts.  I was like you.. I started out thinking Bypass all the way..then i found out my insurance just allowed the VSG and I was curious.  I already had a set surgery date at 5 weeks before surgery, I started second guessing my decision.  I read a post about any regrets in the RNY forum.  of course alot of people said no regrets at all..but there were a few Long term RNYers who were about 5-6 years out said they would have chosen the VSG over the RNY if they had the choice.  So I asked a woman who was at goal, and actually under her goal weight why she would choose the VSG if given the chance.  She was kind enough to write me a very detailed email stating why.  Althought this is not everyone's outcome, this was hers: 

There is so many reasons.
-I do dump, but that's ok...
-I developed reactive hypoglycemia (RH) that makes me eat every 2-3 hrs or else. Not able to eat mast carbs, fruits, drink milk, etc. I am on a such a strict diet. And still it is effortless to regain and a ***** to try to lose that again. Some study links that to RH or excessive insulin response after RNY.
-Can't do much cardio due to RH
-Not be able to drink with meals is really though the longer you post op.
-Not be able to take NSAIDS (Advil, etc, for pains).
-Having major issue with alcohol..Never had that before RNY. . Every day is a struggle... The only way I can control that is not to have ANY ever again.
-Depression and anxiety post op.
-Feeling sick so often, that is it not fun. unless I cook it - I am afraid to eat it.
-Bread, pasta - get stuck every time. not fun
Lets not forget the nausea. Morning nausea, still get it on and off. Drink too much - get nausea. Drink too soon in the morning - nausea, cold drink in the morning - nausea... and so on. get it? Driving after drinking my protein drink - nausea.
My friend's pouch is as sensitive. Though some people do much better.

I think that with VSG I would have much better chance of more "normal" life.
And if VSG would not work - then the DS can be done as revision.

Having migraine headache and you have to choose a pill that may help you but can cause ulcer... so it is like " do I keep hurting now (and Tylenol does not touch that) or consider hurting later...?" what is the option. When you are so sick from the hurting head that you wish someone would just shoot you?

I didn’t take any NSAIDS and still got the ulcer. So now I am on daily antacid pills. Adds extra cost and extra side effects.

I do not mind being on diet. But now - I panic when I do not eat within 3 hrs of the last meal. Low Blood sugar is not fun... Had it a few times below 30..

Also - would not mind to have a day or 2 every month that I can be "normal". When you go out with friends and everyone is sharing an appetizer or 2 and you can't have any of that if you do not want to get sick.

Do you know what I can drink now when I go out? Decaf coffee with cream. Used to love plain water. Now can’t drink that. I have to take special iron (heme - expensive) because any other bothers me. And so on… the list can go on.

Even when I was dealing with complications during the first year – I had a hope that once that gets resolved, I will be able to live rather normal life. not so… the longer post op I get – the more food restrictions I develop. Sadly, that does not help me to keep my weight off.

I am so thankful for this person to share her reasons.  She helped me to take the step to talk to my surgeon and to change my decision 4 weeks before surgery... and you know what..I am 6.8lbs away from hitting 50% of my weightloss goal.. and today was 10 weeks since i started this journey (6 weeks post op and 2 weeks of pre op)....SO your 60% statistic is just a statistic...100% can be done..and there are so many on this site that have proved that already... it is ultimately your decision...but i will say i have no regrets!

 Now granted I am just 13 months out - but I am having none of these issues.  I do take Advil very sparingly - but if I need it I take it.  I haven't been including this in my list of resolved issues but now that I think about it I haven't had a migraine in a long time - I may have had one post op but I'm not even sure about that.  (I take Midrin for migraines which is Tylenol based anyway.)  

I pretty much feel normal - the only real issue I have is I forget to eat unless I have a reminder set in my blackberry because I feel absolutely no hunger.  Drives my husband crazy.

But I have no problems eating.  I pretty much stick to protein - chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp, other fish, and the ever present protein bar.  When I really just flat out don't want to eat but I have to, out comes a bar.

I never go anywhere without a bottle of water and a couple of protein bars.

I do seem to "dry out" a bit faster than I used to - but I don't eat or drink nearly as much so that isn't too surprising.  I know when my mouth starts feeling really dry that I need to find water fairly quickly or I'll start to feel yucky.  It's not hypoglycemia - checked that - it's simply that it's extremely hot these days and I just wasn't getting enough water, and was on my way to dehydrating.  Now I try to drink extra water before I go out to build a bit of a reserve.

I restricted caffeine in the beginning, and was on a PPI - now I can drink caffeine without any problems but I really don't want it.

I do go through a lot of Crystal Light because that helps me get in my water.

We were in Charleston a couple of weeks ago and went to my two favorite seafood restaurants - Bubba Gumps and Shem Creek Bar and Grill.  In both cases, I ordered fried shrimp.  Yes, I know that's not on my plan but I checked the nutritional information and made plans to accommodate it.  I dearly love fried shrimp, and used to live for Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster.  Well, I got in three shrimp.  That's it.  THREE shrimp.  Hubby had to finish my dinner.  But what's funny is that I didn't want more than that.  My restriction kicked in so I wasn't going to be having more anyway, but it was a good feeling.  I got the taste of what I wanted (and it wasn't as good as I remembered it) but I didn't stuff myself.

I keep most carbs out of my diet because of how I react to carbs.   Not everyone has to do that.  

I keep a food and exercise diary.

I work out a lot.

And I have so far gotten what I signed up for.   When I read posts by people with RNY who are not happy, who deal with nausea and vomiting, and other issues, I am so glad my Dr recommended the sleeve to me.  I think I've thrown up once since my surgery and that was from going too long between meals and not getting enough fluids - 2 weeks post op.  

I am overcome with the responses I have received from my post.  I am so appreciative of all of the thoughtful posts.  Thank you for taking the time to offer me support and guidance.  I explored other forums and the sleeve forum is by far the best and supportive group of people who genuinely want to help each other.....I will definitely pay it forward and try to offer support when I undergo surgery in November!