Having trouble deciding which surgery....please help

I like science. I wanted the best weight loss, with the best weight maintenance. I read studies and all the data available. I didn't like the idea of dumping, or inability to take NSAIDs, or possible problems caused by a stoma or remnant stomach.

If I was a frequent buffet kinda girl, and could just get away with restriction alone, I may have tried the sleeve (never the band, horrible stats) but I needed the help of mal-absorption, and the DS had the best outcomes in weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities. I suspect they may not have covered it in your seminar if they don't perform it. I would not have done well with RNY, so instead of having it covered by my insurance, I chose to self pay for the DS. Your insurance may cover them all, things have been slowly improving with insurance. That was the best money I've ever spent, considering I'm reaping the rewards of that choice year, after year. I love my life.

 
You'll find that when people really go with the research, the duodenal switch (DS) is the "best" surgery, hands down.  Statistically, you can expect to lose the greatest percentage of excess weight, and keep the greatest percentage of excess weight off long term.  You will have to search and likely travel to find a doctor who does the DS, and you may have to struggle with insurance to get it covered, but it's worth it.

I was looking for a long-term solution.  I knew several people with the RnY, 75% of whom regained at least 50% of what they lost.  I didn't want any part of that.  I also knew of people who had had lap bands.  They didn't look like they lost any weight at all; they were still morbidly obese and super morbidly obese after several years.  That didn't work for me, either.

The sleeve is a good option for people who don't want malabsorption.  I'm not sure what your BMI is or your history with obesity, but to me (just my very humble opinion), this is only an option for people whose BMI is under 45 or so.  You don't want to have a surgery that will help you lose weight, but not help you keep it off, if you're super morbidly obese.  That's just not right!  A lot of people of different sizes have success with just the sleeve, but there's no way to know if restriction alone will work for you until you do it.  A lot of that success is being able to adhere to a diet long term.  If you can do that, the sleeve may work well for you.

Do as much research as you can, and decide what's best for you based on science, not just on opinions.  Everyone's experience is different, and it's hard to tell if yours will be similar or different than theirs.

i did the sleeve and so glad that i did!!

bottom line, you should sit down with your surgeon and decide what is going to be better for you. everyone and different, so therefore some things are great for some and wrong for the other.

enjoy your ride on this WLS rollercoaster! i'm 7 months out and loving every minute of it! 

I had gastric bypass and I am only 10 weeks out from surgery! I have Lost A total of 70lbs . but I have had many friends and a couple of family members who have had bypass and have all done great. the Man thing to remember is WLS is not a fix it's a tool to help you change your life. You have to change your lifestyle. None of the WLS will be a fix the all work on the same, changing ones lifestyle to be healthier. I would say research all WLS and talk to your surgeon.  Most Surgeons will help you to make the best decision for you. Good luck

The simple fact is that those who do well with their wls think they made the right choice; those that don't do well think they made the wrong one!

Just keep reading, reading, reading. Listen to all sides but remember that people on message boards may not even actually exist and certainly there is no guarantee that what they post is accurate.

I am banded, love my band, it has done everything i ever dreamed it would do and I am now not far short of 5 years post-op. It was right for me! May not be for you!   Kate

What is your BMI? When dieting in the past, was it easy for you to lose weight, but impossible to KEEP it off? Or was losing weight a real struggle?

What about co-morbs? What about your family medical history? Are you prepared to give up all NSAIDs (pretty much ALL OTC pain relievers and anti-inflammatories) forever? What do you take for headaches, cramps, sprains, joint pain, etc?

How do you LIKE to eat? Are you a carb addict, or a carnivore? How's your sweet tooth? Do you think dumping would be a blessing or a curse? CAN you spend the rest of your life on a restricted diet?

What about taking vitamins and supplements? Getting regular lab work? ALL FOUR kinds of WLS really do require this, so don't get ANY WLS unless you're committed to this part.

All of these are questions you need to ask yourself, and answer honestly, before decideding which form of WLS, if any, you can live with forever. And it really IS forever. Some people do get revisions or reversals, but they will NEVER be 'normal' again. All forms of WLS medicalize us, to some degree.

Between the Sleeve and the RNY/bypass, I'd choose the Sleeve every time. I'm really fond of having normal stomach function. (*grin*) I had a DS seven years ago, so I do have a Sleeved stomach. I like it very much. I also LOVE the malabsorption of my DS---have you read the threads titled "Eating with the DS"?

You need to visit the Revision board, too. Think twice, cut once.