Bypass

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I understand being scared of surgery, but your Doctor is absolutely right. If you have acid issues do not get the sleeve. There are people on here who got the sleeve, had terrible acid issues and then had to revise to the bypass- even though they were already at a low BMI. Does everyone get acid with the sleeve? Of course not, but if you already have an issue with acid it is contraindicated.

I know you say- No serious health risks... and I don't know how old you are, but when I was younger and MO, I too had no serious health risks...but in time they come. Obesity is like that.

I get there are different reasons for each surgery, and there are more vitamin requirements for bypass, but in my book both surgeries are invasive, and getting your intestines and stomach rearranged is no scarier than throwing out a good portion of your stomach.

I think you answer your own question- What's going to be different this time? I lost plenty of weight in my life 100lbs 5 times and 75-80lbs about 3 or 4 times...but I could never keep it off... Now I am at a normal weight, and feel like with the tool I've been given- gastric bypass, I have the best chance I can of keeping it off.

Good Luck with your decision...

Hi Dewdrop,

I also agree with your surgeon in recommending the gastric bypass instead of the sleeve. I had no acid reflux prior to my sleeve surgery. One year later, I developed bile reflux so bad I had to sleep sitting up for 6 months. If you currently have severe acid reflux, VSG usually makes it worse.

In March 2017, I had a revision for VSG to RNY to relieve the bile reflux. Needless to say, it is gone completely. I can now lie down to sleep. I feel so much better.

Continue to research your options and know only you can decide what's best for you.

I wish you much success with whatever journey you choose.

I could have written this a few months ago! I also wanted the sleeve, after the endoscopy my doc said he would not advise me to have the sleeve because of my long history with acid reflux. I came close to dropping the entire thing and going back to losing weight on my own (I'm 61 and it has never worked!) but I started doing research, spoke at length with the PA and joined this forum. My BMI was 38. I decided to go for it. I had a bypass on 05/03 and am doing well - no nausea, pain,etc. I wouldn't even know I had it done unless I try to eat or drink something too fast and even then it is only an uncomfortable feeling that goes away quickly! I have lost 20 lbs since surgery and 19 prior to surgery so I am down 40 lbs. and already feel sooo much better! My blood pressure is down, almost normal, and my doc has taken me off the meds! I had to pay for the entire thing myself because my insurance would not pay for it. Yes, I could have gotten a new car instead but I would rather have an active life, spend quality time with my grand children and hopefully, live longer. Before I could hardly do anything without huffing and puffing! Whatever decision you make - the best of luck to you!

Hi!

I had the RNY on 3/29/17, and my BMI was 35. I chose to have it because I felt that the data supported better long term outcomes than the sleeve. I'm doing fine, the losses are less dramatic when you're below the 40 BMI but it's still a loss. I lost 15 lbs the first month, 9 the second, I expect my weight will continue to come off but most importantly, this time it will STAY off.

I'm almost 50, and while I was able to lose a lot of weight through diet alone, I've never been able to lose ALL the weight I need to, nor keep it ALL off for good.

I should be dropping below a 30 BMI by next week. I can't WAIT to just be "overweight" and not obese!

Good luck!

Leaks are possible with any surgery. The sleeve has fewer small connections, but has one really long one. The risk of leaks is pretty much the same.

The surgical complications of any WLS are the same as for gallbladder removal or having an appendix out. Very minimal.

Scar tissue and adhesions can be a problem, but it's very rare. Lots of people with previous surgeries and c sections have bypass without any trouble.

Talk to your surgeon. Ask him how often his patients have these issues. Worrying and planning are good, but don't freak yourself out.

I had a tummy tuck as part of a breast reconstruction, and the only complication it caused was a "tight" working space because my abdominal wall was "shortened" so it wouldn't inflate to allow as much working room. The surgeon expected this, although it was tighter than he thought it would be but he didn't have an issue. He also found a bad hiatal hernia that wasn't detected in the pre-surgery testing, but he was able to work in the confined space and repair the hernia with only a 30 minute addition to the expected surgical time.

I was able to go to a Bariatric Center of Excellence. In the US, centers only get this title if they have performed a significant number of surgeries with minimal complications. These centers usually have a significant support team which will include dietitians, clinical psychologists, the clinical worker who is similar to an athletic trainer (sorry- brain fart here!), as well as a post surgical nursing staff to help make sure patients have all the tools and support needed to be successful. Leaks are RARE, at least at Centers of Excellence.

The big question you need to ask yourself is if your risk of complication is worse than the KNOWN health issues which will come with your obesity.

Good luck!