Why do I find the RNY so much scarier than the sleeve? Help!

So, I'm about halfway through the pre-op period for what I thought would be a Vertical Sleeve. I got my endoscopy last week and was very surprised to learn that the GI thought "probable" Barrett's esophagus. No symptoms of heartburn or reflux ever, so I was very shocked and disappointed that I likely will not be able to get the VSG. Everything I'm reading says it's a definite contraindication for the VSG, so I'm now considering the RNY, but I'm scared!!!!

From what I'm reading it seems that the lifestyle/eating after both surgeries are similar. Is this true? I fear getting dumping syndrome and worry that my antidepressant medication won't absorb properly. I'm currently on an extended release antidepressant, should I be asking my psychiatrist to switch me over to something else that is not extended release?

I'm trying not to be so afraid of the RNY, but I was so certain I was getting a sleeve and this has thrown me for a loop. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Why are you afraid of dumping? Do you intent to eat carbs or other high sugar foods? Those are what make you dump. I'm a newbie, had surgery 5/2, and have no idea whether I dump because I don't want to know. For as long as I can ride this fear of mine out I will, it will help me in my weight loss. 

As far as recovery goes, I don't think there's a ton of difference. The biggest difference in the operation is the malabsorption piece with the RNY. Some data shows that pts with RNY lose faster due to this. 

Best of luck with whatever you decide. I had reflux when I had the lap band a few years ago (it later slipped and o had to have it removed). It was miserable so I didn't even really consider VSG, although my surgeon would have been on board with it for me. 

Ten years ago I was afraid of RNY and wanted lapband instead.  Today VSG is the popular surgery so it seems less scary.  RNY and VSG require the same diet and lifestyle changes.  

I found out I dump after five years out, when I came home from working a late shift.  It was after 1:00 AM and i turned on the TV and started mindlessly eating from a bowl of Halloween candy.  I do not like that experience and am careful to eat very small amounts of sugar now.

I have never had a problem with malabsorbing medicines, including extended release medicines.  If there is a problem for you, the doctors may change your medicine to a different one.

The bottom line is to get your surgery, lose the excess weight and then keep it off.  

For you, VSG is the surgery to be afraid of.  

Your story is very similar to mine. I initially wanted the VSG, but my history of GERD prevented that scenario. I do have Barrett's and require regular endoscopies to monitor it. I, too, was nervous about RNY, but I should not have been. The postop diets and vitamin regimes are the same and many are reflux free after surgery. I commend you for taking your doctor's advice seriously and you researching RNY. So many think that GERD or taking a PPI for life are no big deals. But they are. Esophageal cancer has a high mortality rate and the use of PPIs long term have consequences. 

If your goal is better health, and not just a lower weight, than the VSG is probably not for you.

I forgot to add that I took Zoloft for awhile with no absorption issues.

Like others I can completely relate to your story. I have Barrett's, take antidepressants and wanted the sleeve. I'm five weeks out and my reflux is completely gone. Plus, my antidepressants work like a charm. I take 4 depression meds (I'm in the mentally interesting group, lol). The only difference is it takes me half an hour to get my pills in. That should get easier as I grow to tolerate more water at one time.

Dumping is a great incentive not to eat sweets, period.

And here's the clincher for me: statistically you will lose more weight with RNY. There are lots of calculators online that will demonstrate this for you.

Best of luck to you in your decisions!

Ok, you are in the exact boat I was in 7 weeks ago. I was hell bent on being sleeves but I too had trouble with gerd, my surgeon told me that It would only make things worse with a sleeve. I was terrified. He asked me to write down all my concerns , I did. Here is my list of concerns and his answers ( shortened of course ) you should write down your concerns and discuss them with your surgeon. 

*malabsortion- his answer, it doesn't last forever. However you do need to commit to vitamins everyday forever, but he said everyone should be taking vitamins everyday... But for rny patients it's crucial. 

*possible complications with a more extensive surgery .... A rny is a gold standard for a reason and he has it perfected as does any surgeon that has performed x number of rny surgeries and he proceeded to tell me his percentages of intra operative complications.

*possible long term complications i.e. Hernias and ulcers.... We spoke about his technique to prevent hernias by closing up the messentary of the jejunum and duodenum  that prevents the bypassed portion of the intestine from slipping back through the messentary making a loop. And by never taking NSAIDs ever

*blood clots.... The chances are just the same as with the sleeve. 

time under anesthesia.... The difference is only 30 minutes to an hour... Not like I'd be under 8 plus hours when they may begin to worry about long anesthesia time. 

* dumping .... Not everyone does, and to avoid processed sugary food and I would not ever know if I did it or not, but if I did, it was actually considered a perk from the surgery, as it deters you from wanting to do that again.

The fact is that all surgery carries complications and it is up to you to really educate yourself on what they are then weigh the pros and cons of not going through with the surgery. 

I know it's a tough decision, for me it was the hardest thing I ever had to decide, to go through with it or just continue on the path I was headed. I know one thing for sure .... To continue to do the same things and expect a different result is the definition of insanity, and I had to make peace with my decision to change my life . 

I hope this helps a little . Good luck with your journey and stick around because it's a great source of insider information and a wealth of experience . 

Forgot to add that I'm on 300 mg of xr Wellbutrin and have had no problems with it thus far

Being Morbidly Obese is way scarier than RNY. If you qualify for surgery you are Morbidly Obese. Morbid= could cause death. Scary right? Yes diet and lifestyle changes from what I can see are identical. The timeline immediately after surgery is sometimes different.. but in the long run so worth it!

No regrets!

When I did my research I wanted RNY immediately for a few reasons - the number one being that I needed to lose a high amount of weight and the RNY is proven to do that compared to the VSG. When I met with a surgeon I didn't tell him what I wanted, I asked his opinion on what he would recommend and he recommended the RNY and I was all in.

I'm 15 months out and I've never dumped but I'm super careful about what I eat. There are also studies that show that dumping isn't all that common. I take an AD also and have since before surgery. I took Cymbalta and recently switched to a different one that I can't remember the name of lol. And I've had no issues with either.

Good luck with your decision. I get that change is scary! But RNY is totally doable I swear.