Sleeve or RNY ?

Hello, I am in the process of WLS,  I am seeing all the doctors and doing tests as we speak, but no surgery date yet.  I am 65 years old who has had type 2 Diabetes for 30 years.  Because of that I have suffered two heart attacks and have stage 4 kidney disease.  I have resisted WLS  as I just kept trying to change my health around myself.  Finally I have given in and am now going to do surgery.  My kidney doctor told me that I needed to lose weight to get on the transplant list.  That has bolted me into action.   My WLS doctor says I can have either the sleeve or the RNY. So I am trying to decide between the two.   Is there anyone here on this forum that would be willing to share their opinion/experience about either procedure with me? 

Thanks, ~ZZ

Hello. Reading about all the illnesses you have.  I am so sorry for all that you have gone through health wise.  I am your age and had the Gastric Sleeve last year.  To receive more replies and input, I suggest you post on the RNY, Gastric Sleeve, and general discussion boards.  This board is very quiet compared to those boards.  And best of luck to you with whatever procedure you choose.

Hi ZZ,

wow, you're making a brave choice. I'm hardly an expert, as I just had my surgery last week (!!!) but I'm happy to tell you why I chose RNY.

In my research, I found they are both good surgeries with excellent success rates. Both will give you a great tool to help you get a lot of weight off.  The RNY has more history and usually leads to faster and a little more weight loss.  But it is also more extensive/difficult surgery, and nutrients, medication and vitamins are all not absorbed at full strength. Also, many people experience a bad reaction to sugar or fat. The sleeve is a bit more straightforward, and since it doesn't require changes to the bowels or the connections, nutrients and medications are absorbed pretty much full strength.  Bad reactions to foods are few. Doctors and patients at my hospital program love the Sleeve; in fact, most surgeries at my hospital are sleeve nowadays.  Very popular.  

In the end, I chose RNY because I have terrible reflux - or I HAD it.  It's gone now, but these sorts of GERD issues are magnified with the sleeve. I was just a better candidate for the RNY for several reasons but this was the biggest reason.  By the way, I'm 53.  I don't have diabetes but was well on my way.  I did have a mini-stroke in 2012 and this tool will help me to save/prolong my life, too.  

I have little experience to go on, so I hope some of the others on the over 50 board will chime in with more veteran experience for you.  Whichever you choose, I wish you best if luck.  And join us on our daily chat.  

Christine

Thank you for your reply.  I will pose my question on the other forums.  I posted here as I thought persons my age might have a different experience.  As you can tell I am fearful about having WLS.  With my many health issues to consider and this surgery is a one time shot,  I want to pick the best one for me.  I wanted to try to reverse my diabetes as well as maybe stop the progression of the kidney disease, but I am finding out that because of my age, the amount of time I have had diabetes and insulin use makes that an unrealistic goal.  I can only hope to lose weight enough that I could possibly get a kidney transplant sometime in the future and improve my diabetes some. 

 I am so glad you are doing well with your surgery and thank you for sharing your story.  Thank you for the well wishes also.

~ZZ

I am over sixty and had the sleeve last September. Including the pre op diet, I have lost a total of 85 pounds.  I didn't have GERD though.  The doctor I chose performs Lap Band and Sleeve surgery only.  And I was a bit scared of the RNY because of my age.  One thing about the RNY is that you will never be able to take NSAIDS again.  Because of the re-routing of the intestines, there is is a malabsorbtion of calories, plus the calorie restriction, but from what I have read, calorie malabsorbtion lasts a year or so.  The duodenal switch is the only surgical procedure with permanent calorie malabsorbtion. Meanwhile you will be taking certain vitamins for the rest of your life, and will never be able to take aspirin or aspirin like products.  If you have acid reflux, the sleeve is not for you, the RNY is better if you have reflux.  Again, I was afraid to have the RNY because of my age.  Best of luck to you. 

ZZ - Congratulations on making the decision to move forward with surgery -- I wish I had done it years ago.  I'm 63, and I had the Sleeve last May.  Your health will surely improve in many ways. I was open to either the Sleeve or RNY.  The only reason I chose the Sleeve was because with RNY you can't take pain relievers such as Motrin, Aleve, etc., and since I have pain issues, that made a difference with me.  Know that whichever surgery you have, your life will improve greatly.  Hope you get the answers you need and hope you can have the surgery soon.  

Hi and welcome to OFF,

A few other women here had the sleeve.  I had RNY.  I had it because it was the most efficient, in my surgeon's words.  I do have issues with certain nutrients not getting absorbed, but I don't mind.  I will tell you that regardless of which surgery, it's recommended by many, including me, that you get psychotherapy to help with the lifestyle changes, and issues that contribute to our overeating.  The surgery is a tool, not a quick fix to a bigger problem.  I also recommend getting involved in a support group now.

Hugs,

Trish