Second Thoughts

Hi everyone, Im a new member to this forum today and am very inspired with reading a lot of what you all write about your journeys and also the support everyone gives.

My surgery date is scheduled for 5/7 for RNY. I am kind of having second thought on the surgery I chose. I keep thinking I should have went with the sleeve. Is this a normal thought and is it just my nerves as my date gets closer? My start weight was 312. I am now 287 and goal is to get to 160-165. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Well both the sleeve and RNY have their pros and cons, why do you feel as though the sleeve is a better option for you?

Im not really sure the sleeve is better. I just keep thinking that the RNY side effects and complications are worse. I honestly feel I am just getting nervous about the surgery. Am I looking into this way to much?

You are right, there are slightly more risks associated with the RNY, but for both surgeries the risks are very small. You can also get dumping and need to take supplements with the sleeve just fyi. I actually hope I do get dumping to help me stick in line. I think that the benefits of either surgery far outweigh the risks, and RNY does have a better track record with weight loss AND reduction of obesity related complications like diabetes or high blood pressure.

If you are truly coming to this great realization that RNY is not for you and you're thinking "I just can't do this!" I would encourage you to contact your surgeon and set up an appointment to discuss your options and talk through sleeve vs RNY again. However, if you are just getting some jitters and thinking through everything again because it's getting so close (and boy do I get that lol) I would just take some deep breaths and remember the reasons we are doing this in the first place. I have high blood pressure, knee pain at 24, GERD, migraines, and I am embarrassed at how little physical activity I can do before I get out of breath and tired :( but I know RNY is statistically the most likely the eliminate these issues, get me to my goal weight AND keep me there long term.

Think about it and sleep on it :)

I think it's normal to be nervous! Have you talked with your dr on why they are saying RNY? For me, RNY has the best record of putting diabetes into remission which was my number one priority.

What side effects specifically have you concerned?

I read about dumping syndrome and problems with not taking vitamins. I do have every intention on taking the vitamins but those are the examples I worry about.

Dumping syndrome is actually not as common as people might lead you to believe. I think less than 30% of patients will experience it, and even those may not ALWAYS experience it. I learned by a foolish ice cream adventure that I do have dumping , but it only made me more determined to stay on track. It might have been a blessing in disguise. My husband also had RNY a year ago and has never had trouble with sugar, but it made him able to slip into bad habits without consequence. Now that he's close to goal and struggling to keep the scale moving, he WISHES he had dumping syndrome to keep him away from the sweets!

even though I have had an episode of dumping, I do NOT regret having RNY :) YOURE GOING TO DO GREAT

Don't get lulled into a false sense of security with the VSG and vitamins. Even with a VSG you need to take your supplements every. single. day. for the rest of your life. As far as which surgery is better for you, that is a highly individualized question. I haven't read the whole thread, but if you have GERD, I would stay far away from VSG as it has a tendency to exacerbate the problem.

Good luck with your decision and upcoming surgery!

Thank you