RNY vs VSG for PCOS

Hello,

I have my surgery scheduled for April 22nd and i was dead set on the RNY. My surgeon is pushing for the sleeve because of its simplicity and the fact that i only have to take multiviatmins whereas with the RNY i have to take a couple more supplements which one of them I do already. I have PCOS and every diet i've tried that i've lost i've gained it back and more. I am a snacker especially at nights when i'm watching TV and i like sweets but certain sweets. I've heard from multiple people that have had the VSG that they have gained the weight back because it's not as restricting as the RNY is. I'm thinking RNY is right for me because of the fact that the pouch is cut much smaller, the possibility of developing the dumping syndrome (I know that not everyone gets it but the possibility of knowing that I might would scare me by itself to eat sweet or high fatty food which is what I need) and the fact that people tend to lose weight faster than VSG patients.

However, my surgeon told me to think about it again even though i told him I want the RNY so I am. If those of you who have PCOS can answer the following questions, I would greatly appreciate it as it help me to finally decide:

1) What surgery did you decide?

2) Why did you decide on that surgery?

3) How much weight have you lost and in how long?

4) Any complications with either surgery?

Thank you all very much in advance for your help.

I had RNY in 2001.   Chose the surgery due to my high bmi and dumping component since I'm a sweet eater.   Lost 165lbs by the time I was 3 years out. I have had regain in the last two years, but I still have a tool I can work and get back on track.   No complications, even tho my bmi was 56.   Would have same surgery again in a heartbeat.  

Good Luck :)

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. 

Hi & Welcome! I am a fellow PCOSer and super happy with my RNY and how it has helped me overcome my symptoms.

1) What surgery did you decide?

First I had the lap-band (6 years ago), but revised to RNY 8 months ago, when it was making me very sick. 

2) Why did you decide on that surgery?

RNY was the best choice for my revision surgery, but I also read up on the data about how it has helped PCOS in other patients. I felt confident it was right for me.

3) How much weight have you lost and in how long?

Total weight loss since the first surgery = 82lbs.

4) Any complications with either surgery?

Nothing with the RNY! I love it and so wish I had chosen it, first! 

Sorry I can't help you out with the pcos part because I never had it. I did get the sleeve & am happy with my choice. You lose weight fast with the rny because you are malabsorbing nutrients & some calories, but the calorie part stops after awhile so take full advantage of your honeymoon period. I didn't choose the rny because the stats for the 2 even out around the 5 year mark with the rny slightly ahead, I think, but the malabsorption of nutrients is for life so that didn't seem like a bargain for me just to lose weight fast.

You can gain weight back with the rny or the vsg, so I'm not sure why your Dr is telling you that you gain weight back more with the vsg, both are restricting. I'm going on 2 years out & I still have a good amount of restriction, but I also don't eat to the point of fullness, if I get to that point, it usually means I ate too much.

I have a lap band and in the process of deciding which surgery would be right for me as well.... I was reading on the light weight board about 2 weeks ago and someone named major mom posted different types of surgeries and their benefits of you are a snacker/grazer or if you were a sweet eater Ect.... I will try to find it and copy it and paste it here to your question . 

I have PCOS and chose RNY because I felt it would give me my best chance to correct my metabolism issue and longer success to keep it off. I went off the metformin (750/2x) almost immediately after surgery.

No complications but be prepared to have to watch your food for the rest of your life. Any baggage regarding food you will still have. You will probably have to take something to help you poop for the rest of your life and vitamins.

So it does mess up your digestive system huh? Right now mine works great where I go about 30 minutes to an hour after I eat to the bathroom. I know I have to take the vitamins for the rest of my life which I already take vitamin D so it's only two more. I'm just worried about any other major complication. as far as food goes, that's definitely fine. That is the point anyway so I can make better food choices. 

I had my surgery in October 2014.  I chose the sleeve for many of the same reasons your doctor mentioned.  My primary motivation behind surgery was to lose the weight I couldn't lose because of my PCOS and hopefully put my PCOS into remission.  I wanted to minimize the changes to my insides because I knew I wanted to be pregnant after surgery.  As it turns out, if I eat too much sugar too fast, I DO dump.  It's happened three times in the last 17 months, and it sucks.  A LOT.  It's also not super typical for sleevers...just an added bonus for me (I say bonus, it is NOT a bonus.)

1. I wasn't comfortable with my insides being re-arranged, so I opted for the sleeve.
2. I didn't want the malabsorption of vitamins that comes with RNY, and the smallest change to my actual physiology.
3. I've lost 195lbs in 17 months.  I'm working on figuring out what maintenance looks like for me now.
4. I haven't had any major complications.  I had my gallbladder removed one year after my sleeve surgery.  Gallbladder problems are more prevalent in bariatric patients because significant rapid weight fluctuation (up or down) ups your risk for gallbladder issues.  It wasn't so bad.  I had gallbladder attacks for a few months before my doctor was able to confirm the issue, then I had surgery a week after that confirmation.

1) What surgery did you decide? VSG

2) Why did you decide on that surgery? I was concerned about reactive hypoglycemia and (cardiac) medication absorption with RNY and liked that the pyloric valve is retained and intestines are not rerouted with the VSG.

3) How much weight have you lost and in how long? I am just a year out and have lost 120 lbs. I hit goal in December (8 months out) and continued to lose another 7 or so lbs. after that. I bounce around within a 5 lb. range now - all below my goal number!

4) Any complications with either surgery? I did have to have my gallbladder out in February. Common for people with rapid weight loss. NO other complications.

Do you have either diabetes or GERD? If so, I would lean toward RNY if I were you. Otherwise, VSG has been wonderful for me!

Paula