RNY or VSG

I'm new on this forum and was wondering how many of you with a BMI of 50+ had RNY or SVG?  I was under the impression that the larger you were, the surgeon woud most likely do a SVG...am I wrong about this?  Also, I just started the referral process with my doctor and was told it would be a long process here in Canada....with all my aches and pains and thinking I can't go on much longer...how do you stay motivated while waiting for your surgery.

I started with a BMI of 60. I chose to go with the VSG because it was the right surgery for me, but it took me a while to get to that point. RNY was never really in the running, but I had played around with the idea of the DS. However, because  I was able to lose a substantial amount of weight before surgery, I believe the VSG is sufficient for my needs.

I had about a year wait from the time i started thinking about surgery, got a referral and ultimately had surgery. It was very hard to stay motivated during that long wait, but really what kept me going was knowing that there are more risks associated with a higher BMI during surgery. My goal was to be under a BMI of 50 at the time of surgery which I accomplished - 49.9 or something. I wanted to be as healthy as possible going into surgery , i wanted to do everything in MY power and control to make the process as safe and easy as possible.

I changed my eating habits (but trust me i had a few mis-steps along the way) and started exercising. I ate 1500-1800 cal/day, no low carb thing, just a healthy well rounded diet with a more protein. I cut out a lot of fast food (before I started thinking about surgery, it would be nothing for me to do fast food 3 times a day). I reduced eating out in general, reduced portions of candy/chocolate, cut out sodas, ate more fruit/veggies, etc. I trained for and completed a 5K walk at 346lbs. My exercise goals were really what kept me going more than anything. I started out not being able to walk more than a few min at a very slow pace, and worked my way up. Whenever I could see the differences in my fitness and abilities, it made me keep going knowing that I was just going to keep improving.

I lost a total of 85 lbs before surgery. I had to remember my goal (which ultimately was NOT to have surgery, but was to lose weight and be healthy) and took steps to get there. I lived each day like there was never a guarantee that I WOULD have surgery, so I was never just sitting around waiting for surgery. It was hard - i won't lie. It's very hard to keep that kind of focus with a normal stomach and hunger and all that. But, it was worth all the struggling I had to go through to lose those 85 lbs.


Keep us updated along the way - let us know how you are doing. Good luck :)

I have quite a few friends in Canada - and it really depends on your surgeon, your ability to follow the plan, and your ability to deal with the length of the process.

My surgeon has Canadian patients (not just self pay, also ones getting their surgery paid by their Province), and I have seen VSG & RNY.

RNY is restrictive and malabsorptive - VSG is purely restrictive.  I am unsure if Canada allows DS - so you would have to look into that on your own.

I went RNY, as I have been monitored by Endocrinologists for DECADES, and my body is what they term "efficient," so I needed to have a less efficient system.  The restriction is also good for me, as portion control isn't always easy - so my pouch reminds me if I eat too much - ouch! 

VSG is for folks who primarialy have portion control issues.  I think it is a FABULOUS surgery.  I like it better than Banding, as no foreign object can be an issue -- also I just think it is harder to stretch out the pouch - it happens, but you are pretty limited having lost 2/3 of your stomach.  I am a lay person - this is just my opinion.

Have you spoken with a surgeon?  Gone to any seminars?  Found support groups in your area?  Found support on OH, FB, or SparkPeople?  Support is a key to succeeding - not just MY opinion ;)

I started at 74.4 BMI - I am currently just under 50 BMI - it is a long process, but I am almost ten months out, and having lost 160 pounds - I am happier than I was this time last year!  Hope this helps a little!

Brenda  : )~

I am a little hesitant to give medical advise. Once you are have a date, then the choice will be between you and your surgeon, based on your medical condition and goals.

Having said that, I chose a RNY based on the advise of my surgeon. The main deciding factor was I was told that bases on my doctors experience, RNY had the best success rate for patients of my size (BMI 64). If I remember correctly, success was defined as a patient losing 75% of the excess weight and keeping it off for 5 years. It also has a higher success rate for diabetes reversal. My surgeon also stated that RNY had a lower leakage rate than and SVG because there is less area area that is stitched together. Finally, he said that and RNY is reversible, but it is very rare, and only done if medically necessary.

Whichever choice you make, the person you should rely on most is your surgeon, use the forums for information, encouragement, and support.

I will say my only regret is I did not have my WLS sooner. It has worked wonders for me. My BMI is now 43, and no more Diabetes or blood pressure medication, and I walk a minimum of 3 miles a day.


 

I did a LOT of thinking, research and asking questions before I had mine. I knew there was no way in **** I was having RNY. I don't know a single person who has kept the weight off with that surgery, and several who have gained it all back and then some. I knew I wasn't a candidate for the lapband because of my BMI.

Then some kind person on here pointed me to the DS forum, and the rest is history. The ONLY other surgery other than the DS I would recommend to a friend is VSG.

To the contrary, all of the people that I know that have had RNY have been successful. I only know that nothing is cut and dried. You have to work at whatever you choose. It takes total commitment on your part to be successful.

I know that it is really sad that someone would go through the surgery and all of the pain and adjustment and just let it all go an not work at being successful. It seems such a waste of time and money.

It doesn't do any good bad mouthing any surgery on this forum because the majority of the people here have had the RNY, have been successful, and have kept  the weight off.  Total success depends on you.

I will be having the VSG on September17th in Mexico. I am 27 and have a BMI of 63. I chose the VSG for a few reasons. I have two very close friends that have had the RNY (one is 6 years out, the other only  months). Both said that they wouldn't change the fact that they had the RNY for WLS because their lives have changed for the better, but they wish they had known about some of the more unpleasant side effects. Both have told me numerous time that the Dumping (it is different for everyone) they get is horrible, and my one friend always jokes she can't even look at a cookie without dumping. They noticed that when they go to the bathroom it is much more potent(for lack of a better word) since surgery. My friend who is 6 years out still struggles with her levels,and seems to be constantly playing catch-up to bring her iron, b vitamins, etc up. I realize that there will be pro's and cons to both the VSG and RNY, but I think the deciding factor for me was that the VSG can be revised to the RNY if need be. If I am able to accomplish what I need with the VSG and don't require the revision I will also avoid the Dumping and Malabsorption issues some folks encounter. I am from Saskatchewan where the wait list is also very long, and the only procedure currently done here is the RNY.

 Hi Geni,

Actually surgeons are a lot more likely to push rny (or ds) for larger people. Have you looked into DS?

I had VSG in Mexico in Sept of 09 so I'm 2 years out this month. Yikes! I am 5'3 or 5'4 and had a bmi of 57.  I've lost 166lbs and have been between 160-170lbs for a year or so. I didn't get to my goal of 140lbs. but I'm pretty darn happy otherwise. I suspect I won't get to goal without plastic surgery, despite my age I have a lot of extra hanging skin.  I'm Canadian too (province of SK) and the waiting lists are insane unless you have a lot of comorbidities.  Several surgeons flat out told me to go out of country because I was too healthy to move up the lists.  Other provinces have shorter waits, we're backwards here. 

You've got aches and pains..do you take anything for them? RNY peeps should not take any NSAIDs which is pretty much all non narcotic painkillers except tylenol. If you think you'll need regular nsaids in the future, don't get rny.

Staying motivated...why not start eating more healthy food? Try to drink lots and lots of water.. Can you walk around at all? Even around the block. 

hope that helps,
Ivy