VSG or RNY ... Any regrets?

Hello everyone. After about a year of serious thought, I finally feel brave enough to go for the WLS. I am a 32 yr old female with a starting weight of 392 pounds, and even though I am 5’10 and otherwise very healthy, I have a lot of weight to loose. After much research, I had firmly decided that the sleeve gastrectomy was the right surgery for me, since I have too much weight to loose to go with the lap band, and the risks with the RNY just always seemed to scare me away…   I had my first consultation with the surgeon on Friday, and had a good long talk with a nurse and the doctor. They agreed that the lap band was out, and that even though the sleeve was a better choice for me than the band, they both strongly felt as though I should go for the RNY.  They said weight loss with the sleeve is slower, and even though it is better than the band, they did not think I will not loose enough with the sleeve, since I am so overweight to begin with.  Basically, the nurse said you will have one shot to lose this weight, and that is it, so we want to give you the best chance. She also said that the weight is lost in the first 12-18 months after surgery, and after that it is much harder, which is why the faster weight loss in the beginning with the RNY would be much better for me.   I’m still just a little scared to go for the RNY. After spending a few weeks lurking on these forums, it seems in general that those with the sleeve are loosing weight, doing well, feel better, and have fewer complications and therefore fewer regrets. I am really torn. Does anyone here with a starting BMI over 50 have any regrets about which surgery they chose?

Hello,

I had RNY on March 9th of this year and I have no regrets at all! I started out at a BMI of 54.3 and now I am at 42. I felt good after surgery and was well taken care of in the hospital. It was done on a Tuesday and by Friday I was back at home walking around wondering if I should be feeling as good as I did. I think a lot of it was my mindset because I knew I needed to do this for me and my life. I am also 32 years old and very healthy. I have had to make many changes in my life but I am very happy with the choice I made. I was told that RNY was best for me as well bc of the amount of weight I had to lose as well. I would recomend that you do what is best for you so you don't have any regrets in the end because everyone is different. Good luck, you have picked a great place to look for help and support.

At the beginning I thought I was going to get the sleeve because of stomach problems I had (bleeding).  Insurance would not approve it.  I got the RNY but my surgeon removed my remnant stomach to get rid of the bleeding I was having.  That being said, I hated my surgery the first 2 months; I had so many health problems that I was just miserable.  The surgery did not cause the problems; I had them before.  Now I am close to six months out and I am extremely satisfied with how everything is going.  My BMI was a 64 at the beginning.  I am down about 100 pounds since surgery.  I believe everyone has to make the choice about surgery with their own cir****tances in mind.  I could not have done this without insurance coverage.
Good luck
Joanne

I am pretty new out of VSG. I chose it b/c I had to pay for it anyway and it seemed less invasive. Not saying anything negative @ RNY. I am happy with my sleeve so far. I am vigilant on the diet and exercise. I have lost @65 lbs so far. The weight loss is starting to slow a little, but I am losing 4 lbs a week steady. Breaking the mental habits has been the hardest part and I suppose that it is the same with the RNY. I found out about the sleeve by accident and am so happy I did. By the way my BMI was 53 when I started. =) Good Luck to you
chakara

Hey there!  I had to make the decision as well and for me I chose the RNY because of the amount of weight I need go lose. I’m 31 and starting weight of 355 no large health issues – down about 40 with the 6 month weight loss and liquid diet. I don’t get surgery for about 3 weeks, but I am comfortable with the surgery with the risks. We all know the risks of each surgery but you have to be comfortable with them before you do something because if you make a decision you aren’t comfortable with you will do a lot of worrying and stress out (over an already stressful process). Do what makes you happy in the end…

Good Luck!  Jessica

Starting BMI of 61 I was just sleeved 5 days ago and no regrets so far!!!   I swear I could have written this post a month and a half ago. 

I knew I wanted RNY over lap band because I wanted the weight to come off quickly so I could start into healthy excericise faster and I didn't want all the maintenance of a band. 

My DR presented me with the option of sleeve and I went home and did my research and found out that the weight loss between the 2 surgeries is similar after 2 years.  What I came to the realization is that it didn't really matter what surgery I got that in the end both were simply a tool and it was up to me to make the most of them.    You need to follow your heart and do what is going to work for you.

As a 27 year old I didn't want to limit myself to never being able to take nsaids again (you never know what will happen to you when you're 50).   The recovery for the sleeve seemed much quicker.  

The other thing I did was read the posts in the respective surgical message boards I just felt like the RNY people were having more issues.   This was very unscientific research and I am sure if I checked another day the issues could have been reversed. 

My mom had RNY 5 years ago so I know what it is like to be with someone driving down the road puking in her lunchbox because something got stuck in her pouch or who dumped just from inhaling powder sugar while baking.   The thought of going through that is kind of scary for me.   I am really happy with my choice!

I am about 3 months into my supervised 6 month diet and I have lost 10 probably more like 15 now, pounds and I am not due to have surgery till oct. I have chosen RNY. I originally was just looking at RNY and lap band and knew I didnt want the lap band but then my insurance changed thier policy and now cover all four surgeries. I had a lot of research to do and I am still going with the RNY. It is the surgery I am most comfortable with. It is important to do the surgery you want and not to have any regrets because studies show that mind set has a lot to do with how well you recover. If you didnt want this surgery you might make yourself worse because of the worry and regret. My starting weight is 338 and I am 5 foot 4. Good luck with your research.

I had an RNY last Sept 30.  It has been easy, for the most part, for me.  I have lost 113 pounds and counting.  I'm not the fastest loser, but it's going to stay off.  I still have about 70 to go for the surgeon's goal for me.  I love my pouch!  It slows me down and keeps me satisfied WHEN I USE IT PROPERLY - eat slow, protein first, don't drink, and stop when full.  And I try to do that all the time. 

Good luck to you, as someone else mentioned, it is a personal/medically advised decision.  All the best to you.  I love my new life!!  I' was at 399 and am now 286 and counting...

Hi! No regrets here... I am a 42 yo female and I had VSG 12/15/09 - my starting weight was 300 - my BMI was 60 .... (I am only 4'11)
I also wanted the band however after much discussion with my surgeon regarding how I carried my weight, my eating habits etc we decided VSG was the way to go for me, he did explain to me that I would not lose the weight as quickly as I would w/ RNY however I still felt more comfortable with the VSG -just me, and how I felt....  - it is now 7 months post op I am down 121 lbs .... I walk daily and use weights 3-4 times a week - I feel wonderful and although I still have another 70lbs to go I have no regrets regarding my decision - you'll feel it in your gut (ha no pun intended!) what's right for you

No regrets.  RNY was the best gift I gave to myself and it was worth the few hiccups I had or as my surgeon reminded me the few bumps in the road.  I am not sure even what the VSG is but I know if your BMI is over 50 you are in a different ball game and my BMI was 80 and I was very high risk and I knew that RNY was my only option.  I am still on my journey but the nurse is telling you correctly.

The honeymoon period goes way to fast and remember the WLS is only a tool and we do have to do our part, which is harder when the honeymoon is over.  You will be fine whatever you decide.  This is ultimately your decision for sure.  Even though I gained some weight back I never for one second regretted my decision to have WLS and I did it with opposition from my family. 

Whichever surgery you decide upon I highly recommend support group meeting before and after surgery and you make the most of your honeymoon period and other tools available to you, such as exercise, water, etc.