Did you get a VGS instead of RNY because your BMI?

I'm on my 3rd day of Optifast and have surgery scheduled on July 9. As of today, my BMI is 59.3 (if I calculate at my current height of 5'8"...when I'm a healthy weight, I'm actually 5'9" and if I use that as my height my BMI is 57.6. Anyways, it's high).

When I met the surgeon last week, he told me that sometimes for patients approaching BMI 60, they end up doing a sleeve instead of RNY because the abdominal fat can make it difficult to perform the RNY. That was new information for me. So far all my reading and research has been on RNY but now I'm reading up on VGS so I'll be prepared in case that's what I end up with. I see there are benefits and downsides to both procedures, although RNY is considered "gold standard" for WLS.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for RNY, but want to stay positive if I do get VGS instead. Surgeon won't know until he gets in there, of course. And of course, there are other factors involved too, like scar tissue or just the positioning of one's "insides".

Just wondering if any of folks here went in hoping for RNY and ended up with VGS? How is your weight loss going? Have you been able to maintain your weight loss? Did you eventually get a revision to RNY, or did you keep the sleeve?

My BMI was 55 when I had surgery and my weight loss is going well with VSG. Both surgeries are excellent, but you can eat around both of them as well. As long as you work on the mental side of the equation, you'll be successful with either.

Thank you! I realize now that my question was kinda dumb...I posted when I still feeling overwhelmed and a bit panicky about my upcoming surgery. Since then, I've been doing a lot of reading and I see so many folks here who have sleeves and have done amazingly well. Like you say, it's all how you approach it and work the tool.

My doctor has been doing bariatric surgeries for 20 years. He is now doing almost exclusively VGS not because it's easier, but because of the successful longterm outcomes, with the least longterm side effects.

Louise, San Rafael, CA

Interesting, and good to know.

Interesting. I think my highest BMI was 53 and this never came up. I had RNY and my surgeon did not have any issue with my BMI as far as my surgery was concerned.

The sleeve is a less complicated and quicker surgery for surgeons to perform. Could that be the reason? I hope not. There are pros and cons to both surgeries. I believe we should get the surgery we think is best for us.

Do you have any issues with acid reflux? If so, I would not get the sleeve.

Good luck!!

Thanks Laura! I'm in Canada, and my provincial health plan only covers sleeves if RNY's are medically unfeasible. If the surgeon gets in there and the amount and/or positioning of abdominal fat makes RNY too risky to perform, they'll do a sleeve. If that happens, I can modify to RNY down the road, after some weight loss.

I'm also in Ontario, and to be honest, I've been surprised recently how many people have ended up with VSG instead of RNY. I really do think surgeons are opting for it more often because it's an easier surgery, but I also believe that if you work on the head issues, it doesn't matter which surgery you have because you will lose weight.

Have a wonderful day.

My BMI was 51 so although not the same thing I had a RNY but more so wanted to say I had Dr. Grantcharov at St. Mike's and I appreciated his skill. He is very safety focussed and that made me feel relieved. I think he really will put he effort in to trying to make a rny possible but if you end up with the sleeve it will work out. Good luck!

Thank you! I've heard good things about Dr. Grantcharov, I certainly feel safe in his hands. Good to hear you had a positive experience, and congrats on all your progress! I can see from your ticker that you're doing amazingly well!