Which surgery did you have and why?

I'm so glad to know you've been happy with RNY. I'm similar BMI. Also have GERD (or some form of it), and worry VSG would be a really bad choice for that reason alone. The rerouting of the guts scares the, ummm, guts out of me though! So many success stories really helps me create a mindset of being at peace with it. I suspect that's the surgery I'll end up with.

I went into the process thinking I wanted a lapband, because I was commitment phobic. But, having a great surgeon and reading so much here I decided that was a poor plan (due to lack of weight loss, and lots of complications). I opted for the VSG because I didn't have reflux issues and I was a "light weight" going into the surgery (35-36 BMI for the pre-op process).

To be honest, pre-op I was terrified of RNY and what seemed like greater restrictions (dumping in 30-40% of cases, etc). I guess I figured I'd want to eventually indulge in those things. Now that I've lived the the post WLS life I realize I could have done RNY and it would be ok, because I'm eating nothing that would cause dumping anyway and really have no desire (and want to continue to have no desire) to eat those things.

That gives me some reassurance that if I ever need to revise (for GERD issues, that don't anticipate I'll have), I'd be fine.

Dumping scares me too!!! But like you said, I guess it's about avoiding those foods anyway!! I have reflux issues, and I've been learning lately VSG isn't a good option. Booo. It's the surgery I wanted. I guess as long as I'm still able to get RNY!

Just from reading here, I'd say that if you have GERD or even heartburn more than very occasionally you should go with RNY. No point just delaying the inevitable (and going through the hell of fighting the insurance).

I will say that the idea of dumping scares me much less now that I know that the life style after WLS is totally doable!

I chose VSG because while the complications early on were slightly higher than RNY (mainly because of the longer incision), there were more long term side effects to surgery with the RNY than VSG (like dumping syndrome, vitamin deficiencies, etc.).

What do you mean by higher complications and longer incision? I had tiny laparoscopic incisions (and my surgeon sometimes does it with only one - i had a hiatal hernia to be fixed, so I needed more).

I guess I meant the staple line is longer with the VSG vs the RNY.

Oh! Got it! I think the risk of complications from VSG may actually be lower than RNY because the intestines are left alone.

I was fine getting either, but because I had GERD, it was a no brainer - RNY.

I had VSG 6 days ago and doing great! I did not have reflux/heartburn/GERD previously, so VSG is less invasive and I did not want to deal with absorbing less nutrients. If I had reflux/heartburn or GERD I would do the RNY to avoid the discomfort for sure! Good luck!