So confused! What do you guys think?

Pre-op, I had terrible GERD. Most nights I slept sitting up, it was so bad.

In December of '03, I chose the Duodenal Switch, which has a Sleeved stomach. I have had ZERO GERD since surgery, so not everyone who gets a Sleeve will have GERD. And not everyone who gets and RNY will see their GERD resolve.

Hello Ms Batt

That is good news for you - no GERD. Nearly all of the people I know who have gad Sleeve have reflux issues now. I understand that the sleeve by it's construct will put upward pressure on the valve to oesophagus.  I suppose each patient is different.  Did the surgeon perform repair to Hiatus Hernia? I was told , for me anyway, that I would still have issues, and with RNY the stomach acids are primarily below staple line. It is such a major decision, I can only be guided by the expertise of my specialist surgeon.

I didn't have a haital hernia, although they're VERY common in MO people.

This is just my opinion, and I've arrived at it from reading here and other bariatric groups for over 11 years now---tiny little Sleeves cause GERD for many, many people. Back when I was researching, the stand-alone Sleeve was rarely done, and was generally intended as the first half of a complete DS. In order to minimize the amount of time under, some surgeons would do just the Sleeve portion on a high-risk patient, with the intent of doing the intestinal bypass (the 'switch' part) after the patient had lost about 100 pounds. A lot of people lost even more than that, and elected to not get the intestinal part done, so the stand-alone Sleeve was born.

About five years later, they were seeing a lot of regain in these patients, so they started making Sleeves smaller and smaller. People were having less trouble with regain, but more trouble with GERD.

I think the reason I had such good results with my GERD is because I don't have a tiny little Sleeve. Yes, this means I don't have a lot of restriction, but it's pretty well balanced out my the high degree of malabsorption the Switch causes. In any case, I'm VERY pleased with out it all worked out!

That is SO interesting and makes sense. I always thought a larger sleeve would be better in my case. Thanks MsBatt Very pleased for you

Definitely something to discuss with your surgeon!

You might cure the Gerd with Rny,but theres always other complications that can come from Rny... Such as I am having with my intestines now.7 years post op.

That is terrible!  Can you go to another surgeon and have them check it out?  I believe RNY can be reversed or repaired.  Hopefully they can get you taken care of.  It seems like big people trade one problem for another.  Just pray that we make the correct decision, but there is no way to really know.  Take care and get yourself taken care of.  God bless!  

Hi huskergal, you have had rough time as I have read, and I of course would not like to have a similar outcome.   I  particularly did not want RNY because of the increased risks and vitamin deficiencies.  I also read of GERD causing long term issues, and people who have had gastric bypass many Yeats out doing very well, and others doing well but needing infusions etc. Mixed field. I know my doctor does not do wee sleeves. He has recommended the bypass strongly and I have discussed with other patients who are a few years out and tikitiboo so am going in Nov 3 with everything crossed ! Just look after yourself,  huskergal as best you can, nd your posts remind people of important points on what can happen as they make their choices, and that is very good of you to do that! 

zigzag

Good Morning, I hope to add some insight into your decision to have RNY.  For years, since I was a teenage, I have had severe GERD with no end in site until after I had my RNY surgery April of 2009.  My surgeon told me that the GERD should no longer be an issue after surgery and to this day, more than 5 years later, I have not had any problems with it.  I want to remind you and hope that you take this to heart that WLS is only a tool to help you lose weight.  It is not the easy way out by any means but if you use it as a tool, you will not regain your weight and you can be healthy.  As far as dumping, that is purely related to your eating habits and food choices.  I rarely if ever have dumping and again want to stress that food choices make all the difference in the world.

You will need to work with your doctor and dietitian after surgery to ensure successful results.  I hope I have helped you to feel more comfortable about RNY surgery.  If I had to do it all over again, I would do it.  I have lost about 200 pounds and am free of so many of my medical problems.  Best to you.  

I had severe GERD (acid pouring out of my nose in the night severe) prior to WLS I suffered with it for as long as I can remember one of my early childhood memories is of choking on stomach acids in the night. I had RNY in 6/20/2006 and that was the last day (fingers crossed) of my GERD symptoms. I have been happy with my choice. 9 years next week... maintaining my weightloss. Sorry your friend had regain... the idea behind weight loss surgery is to use the time of rapid weight loss (year or so) to change your lifestyle but as you get farther out... life happens... obesity is a chronic disease... chronic: long lasting, recurring, difficult to eradicate... so it will require chronic treatment, reassessing with the help of your medical team (is what I am doing working) and adjustment (what more or different can I do) for life. I hope your friend can adjust her sails... and for you "the sticking with it" issues are resolved because the reset button only lasts so long... then it's about sticking with it.

Back to the GERD... I might post this question again on the VSG and RNY boards and get some fellow sufferers input. I have read if you suffer from GERD VSG might not be the best WLS choice http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jobe/2013/741097/

Best wishes in your research and I hope whatever you decide you get some relief from your symptoms. 

Michelle "Shelly"