VSG or DS

Thanks so much for your input re: age. Losing weight is just much more difficult after 40 and definitely after 50. Thx again...Susie

The DS will certainly give you the most help with your cholesterol, since you'll only be absorbing 20% of the fat you eat, versus about 92% (what 'normal' people absorb) if you go with the VSG.

No doubt that the DS will help with my cholesterol. I'm just not sure that that factor is worth the trade off with some of the DS potential complications and malabsorption problems. But please know, I respect & appreciate your opinion and response.

Blessings.,...Susie

I'm 9+ years out, and I take vitamins four times a day. I also eat pretty much anything I please, and I find the trade-off well worth it. I do still have restriction---no way I can eat the amounts I ate pre-op, but I also know that I can and DO eat enough that, without the malabsorption of calories, I'd be big as a house again.

You just have to decide whether you want to DO something, like take vites several times a day, or if you want to resist doing something---like eating. I spent 35 years trying to resist eating, and that did not work out very well for me. (*grin*)

The VSG is a great tool for some people.  In my opinion (I'm not doctor, though), the sleeve is best for people who have less than 150 lbs to lose, little to no metabolic issues, are considered volume eaters...  I had the sleeve in 2007.  During the first year post-op, I lost about 160 lbs (189 total from my highest).  But I started out at 425 and I'm also 5'2.  Then I stopped losing and fought really hard to maintain.  I have major metabolic issues and I swear I'm a hyperabsorber (my body holds on to EVERYTHING). The sleeve just wasn't enough for me.  But I was scared of the commitment that the DS would require - vitamins, malabsorption...  After regaining 117 of what I had lost, I finally decided to add the DS.  I'm down 72 lbs in 5 months.  I'm fairly sure I will never have a normal BMI, but I know the DS can help me get close.

I will say that I have a bunch of sleevester friends that I've made through the years and I am the one who gained.  But of course I was also the heaviest.  Everyone else had 150 or less to lose and they made it to 100% excess weight lost within a year to 15 months.  On average, I've seen about a 20 lb bounce back for some of them.  Although most maintaining at their goal weight. 

Celtic -  Thx so much for your response. I am pretty sure, or at least for today, that I will start with the sleeve and give it a try. If I'm not successful, I can always add the switch later. I'm just really believing that the "signs" and road blocks that have crossed my path this week, are God's way of telling me to do VSG. Your info on many of your sleeves friends is encouraging to me. Wishing you the best. You sound like a very brave lady. I know you're going to be blessed in your WL journey. I would appreciate any and all addition info you think I might need. And I would definitely appreciate your prayers for continued confirmations & clarity.