RNY vs Sleeve - hoping to conceive after surgery

Hi everyone, I'm sure this question has been answered before, but I couldnt find it anywhere else. I am at the early stages of being approved for surgery. I have a lot of weight to loose and preferably fast as I have certain issues that are threateninf cancer if I don't loose a lot very fast. My husband and I began this whole surgery thing because we were trying to conceive. We still have our heart set on having kids after surgery. My question is: which surgery is best when i want to get pregnant after? I know that over time you can loose approximately the same amount of weight, but does the sleeve take longer? Any other info regarding being pregnant after surgery would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks so much, Kendra

I have a sleeve, so I can answer from my perspective.

First off, I don't think either surgery is better than the other, they're just different, as are all of us.  So, it is a matter of finding what is right for you.  I chose sleeve because I was concerned about malabsorbtion down the road (was only 27 when I decided to have surgery).  Like you, I wanted safe pregnancies after surgery, and was generally looking for a surgery that I felt would leave me the most "normal".  I liked that the sleeve would allow my body to absorb nutrients normally, does not have side effects like dumping, and allows a wide variety of food choices.  I didn't want to worry about food getting "stuck", or finding myself at a birthday party with my kids and being the "weirdo" who can't eat pizza.  Again, I stress that these were all my own personal thoughts. 

I was a light weight, but I was almost at goal at 6 months when I decided to start trying for a baby.  I got pregnant right away and had a super easy, healthy pregnancy.  I've never had any regrets about my surgery choice.  I know lots of people lose just as much weight with sleeve and RNY, perhaps even at the same pace.  I think most of that comes down to the level of work you put in post-op.  I'm now 2 years out from surgery and I love how "normal" I feel.  I never have to worry about what foods I can or can't eat, or how I'm going to react to something.  I'm below my original goal weight, wearing smaller clothes than I ever imagined possible, and I'm maintaining easily.  For me, sleeve was 100% the right choice.

Good luck with whatever you chose!

Good Answer Paula

I had the band done so I can't help you there. But wanted to wish you luck on your journey

Take care

Jana

I had the RNY surgery back in 2003. At the time, sleeve was not an option for me through my surgeon or insurance. I am 5ft 9 and started at 291 lbs....within about 9 months I was down to 156 lbs. With RNY the my surgeon required 18 months before trying to get pregnant to allow the body to adjust, not sure if the requirements are same with the sleeve. did not have too many issues with the dumping at first but later down the road and still today have occasional issues. Malabsorption is a concern so does require effort to monitor, especially since I have anemia. I had fertility issues due to PCOS before surgery and still after but losing the weight did help. I had my son in 2007 thanks to the help of a fertility specialist and meds, did not require any IUI or IVF. For the most part the pregnancy was relatively normal and had the same ups and downs that a non WLS patient would have. I am not pregnant with number 2, without needing fertility treatment, and although have some issues, again, I do not think it is anything related to WLS. If I had a choice I would do my surgery over again, however, probably would choose sleeve over RNY due to the malabsorption and other issues Paula mentioned. Overall thoguh both are good surgeries with a good success rate and long term success as I have kept my weight off and at goal for close to ten years now. Good Luck in your decision.

I don't think surgery matters, as long as your keeping you and your baby healthy. Each surgery has different guidelines and eating. I have seen ladies have healthy babies after every surgery type. To be honest you need to choose the surgery that is best for you 'you'. The rest will fall into place. I had the DS a year ago and now I am past goal and trying to get pregnant :) Research all the surgeries and make an informed decision that is best for you. Good luck!

2 post-sleeve babies in less than 11 months. Both perfectly healthy, I had fairly uncomplicated pregnancies, all my issues were non-sleeve related, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

I opted against bypass for many reasons. Even though pregnancy with bypass is perfectly safe, I chose the sleeve for many other reasons. Research as much as you can, determine what you want from a surgery for the rest of your life not just to lose the weight. There are pros and cons to each surgery, the cons for bypass sealed the deal on which surgery I chose as my revision.

 

Best wishes!