RNY Vs. Sleeve

So I am hitting my last check in next month with me getting surgery possibly in July. I was deadest on the sleeve but lately have leaned towards the regular surgery.   

I am interested in know the reasons why you choose RNY and what difference you all might think it makes for recovery time and issue rate.

I am hoping to only take off 1 week of work. I am a network Engineer so I can work from home after that for a week or two.

I think both surgeries are great. It's sort of like asking, "Which vehicle is better -- a truck or a car?" Well, both are great -- but if I haul a lot of stuff the sedan may not be the best option for me. Likewise, if I've got three kids and a spouse -- the pick up may not be the best option. Neither is better or worse -- they are just better for certain people.

I was also a diabetic (in insulin), had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease and the start of neuropathy. My BMI was 57.5 at 347 pounds. I did NOT suffer acid reflux nor did I have any sort of chronic pain/arthritis condition that I used NSAIDs for routinely.

I chose to have the RNY and I have had no complications nor regrets thus far.

Generally speaking, if you've diabetes, acid reflux, or think that you need malabsorption as well as restriction, then you may want to consider the RNY.  If you just want restriction, the ability to take NSAIDs (if absolutely necessary, they still aren't recommended) and don't like the idea of your intestine re-routed, then consider the VSG.  You may have to be more careful about vitamin/supplementation after an RNY as well.  

I would have strongly considered the DS, however, my insurance wouldn't cover it. You may want to research it as well if your insurance will cover that surgery and you've a high BMI. It has the benefits of the VSG (you keep your polyric valve) and have the benefit of malabsorption (also the negatives of this) -- and it is highly effective for those of us with such high starting BMIs.

Finally, I don't think there is much difference in recovery times between the RNY and VSG.  Of course, everyone is different and recovery is rather personal -- however, I was back at work teaching on my feet at the university less than 2 weeks after my surgery.  

I love the way you put this!!!! Thanks!

I was initially interested in the gastric sleeve because I didn't like the idea of "dumping". After my first meeting with the surgeon - his new patient information session - he said something that forever changed my mind. 

"You can leave the hospital after the vertical sleeve surgery and have an ice cream sundae if you want it. There is no repercussion other than limited portion size, and I've seen quite a few patients end up back right where they started because they could".

I could totally see myself having ice cream for dinner and totally justifying it with *I worked out really hard today, so I deserve it*. I personally want the accountability that bypass comes with. I also found out a few weeks later, that since I have Acid Reflux/GERD, the sleeve would only make those conditions worse. Gastric Bypass resolves diabetes almost immediately, and I'm pre-diabetic. Bypass is the right surgery for me.

All surgery comes with recovery time and risk of complications. 

I think we all have to do what's best for us, not just what everyone else is doing. It's your life and your health. The more you know about each surgery the better decision you'll be able to make. 

My surgeon was a BIG pusher and salesman of the sleeve too, but I also did my own research. They're both great surgeries and I am by no means a medical professional (I work in I.T. too) but my reasons for going with the RNY were this... I have (well, had) no willpower, and RNY makes it damn near impossible to eat the things you shouldn't (at least in the beginning), because they make you sick. It's a "shock collar" for food, of sorts. Where with the sleeve, it seems you can eat what you want, just in smaller quantities. I work with someone who got the sleeve done, and she hopped right back into eating the same sugary treats again. She lost 40 lbs, but put it right back on. That scared me and I read a lot of stories that said if you have a sweet tooth or are a "snacker", that RNY is the way to go.

I think everyone's different and I'm not putting down VSG, or my information/research may not even be correct, but I think I chose what's right for me. There's a lot of other things to consider with RNY, it completely changes the way you digest and absorb food and nutrients. They're both tools, neither are a magic cure or a quick fix. I'm almost 7 weeks out and I'm still not 100%, but again, everyone's different and I still don't regret my choice.

I took a week off of work, and came back the next. I was OK, just really tired. I wished for an extra week off, but if you have the option of working from home, you may want to do that. It just depends on how you feel. 

I have had all 3.... crap band(lap band) sleeve and RNY. 6 months out RNY this is the most successful that I have been. 

Lost about 70 lbs with the sleeve but the restriction felt different then now. I gained most of it back.

This route has seemed to be the most efficient at the moment.... I do not want that to sound rude.

There are others on here that have has the sleeve and converted. Its a popular topic try and search it. 

Good Luck

I had the sleeve done 8 years ago and lost about 50lbs, but my restriction did not last and I slowly regained the weight.  I suffer from GERD now, and have recently been diagnosed with gastroparesis (my stomach has stopped digesting food).  They believe it may be from my sleeve surgery but I will probably never know the true reason.  I am now scheduled for a revision to the RNY May 4th, so I can get off a black listed medication that has a ton of terrible side effects.  If I had to do it all over again personally I would have the RNY.