VSG VS. RNY

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THEY WOULD CHOOSE RNY OVER VSG? WHEN THE WEIGHTLOSS CAN BE JUST AS SUCCESSFUL! AND ITS SEMS TO BE THE MORE SAFER ROUTE TO GO...

I WANTED THE LAPBAND WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT WLS..NEVER CONSIDERING THE RNY..FREAKS ME OUT WITH THE ISSUES..UNTIL I REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT MY CHANCES OF SUCCESS LONG TERM AND AFTER THE FILLS R OVER (GOAL)WITH THE BAND..PLUS I NEVER WAS REALLY GUNHO ON HAVING THAT FORIEGN OBJECT IN MY BODY NOT TO MENTION I HAVE SMALL BABY VIENS SO THE NEEDLE ASPECT OF IT WOULD BE SHEER TORTURE EVERY TIME I HAVE TO GET A FILL....

FROM WHAT I READ ABOUT VSG... I AM REALLY SHOCKED AND DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ONE WOULD CHOOSE RNY OVER VSG...MAYBE I AM MISSING SOMETHING? I MEAN I GUESS THERES ALWAYS A REASON FOR RNY..LIKE ONE BEING SUPER OBESE..BUT I AM JUST NOT UNDERSTANDING...WHY THOSE UNDER SUPER OBESE WOULD CHOOSE RNY VS. VSG..PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME I AM TRYING TO GET ALL THE INFO I CAN BEFORE MY NUMBER872 POPS UP...I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM MAKING THE RIGHT WLS CHOICE..AND SO FAR VSG SEEMS LIKE A NO BRAINER..

THANKS IN ADVANCE..
GOD BLESS..
~SONJA

Hi, Sonja:  I wish I could give you some information on the VSG, but I am not all that familiar with it.  That said, I have a friend who had it done, and she has had a lot of success with it.  For her, she said that it was a better fit because of what her issues were with gaining and not being able to lose the weight.  My suggestion is this:  Do a lot of research on all of the types of surgery out there and that way, the decision you make will be the right one FOR YOU.  Speaking for myself, the RNY was what I needed because I knew that I needed to have the restrictions that come with it in order to be successful.  Read up on the procedures, talk with your surgeon and that way, no regrets (hopefully!).  Hope all's well with you.  :)  PS  There is a forum for VSG -- go to the top of the page, go under forums, and you will see it there.  I am sure the people there will be able to help you understand the differences.

Sonja,

I probably did things different than most.  I researched my SURGEON instead of the PROCEDURE that I wanted to have done.  Once I found a surgeon I was comfortable with then I discussed with him what was my best option.  He only does open RNY, so that is what I had done.  My family members had RNY and I saw what came of that.  I was more familiar with the side effects, etx from that one.  I knew both procedures would work...I wanted...no NEEDED to be comfortable with my surgeon.  He will be in my life forever.  We are required to go back for annual checkups for life.  Not being military I had more choices.  For me, it was a no brainer.  I wanted an experienced surgeon that could give me the tools I needed to get my life back.  I wanted whatever procedure he was most versed in doing. 

Tammy

I, like Tammy, researched surgeons first. Upon finding Dr Bautista, who happens to be in the same practice as Tammy's surgeon, I knew that I was going to trust this man with my entire life so I trusted his decision and opinions. Like Cindy said, I am not familiar with the VSG but I know that once I found the surgeon that I was going to use, the rest just fell into place. I HAD to have someone I was comfortable with, someone I respected and trusted, someone my family trusted as well. I KNEW that with the help of my surgeon and his practice, that I could and would make the RNY tool work for me. So far, so good. I am down 90'ish lbs so far.

I would recommend more research before making your decision. In order to be successful with any WLS, you have to trust your own instinct. And in case you haven't done so yet, why not check out the VSG boards on here. Good luck and I hope you find the answers you need and want!

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR INPUT..

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND THE MORE THE KNOW THE BETTER..I WILL CONTINUE MY RESEARCH..AND YES I HAVE JOINED THE VSG BOARD AS WELL... I WILL CONTINUE TO GATHER INFO UNTIL MY PRE-OP WITH THE SURGEON....

THANKS AND BE WELL ALL..
GODBLESS..
~SONJA

I don't have much time these days to use the computer with a hectic schedule during my summer break.   I came on this evening and was reading through and found this.    I had the VBG with Sleeve on Mar 18th.    I LOVE IT!    My surgeon's group offered valuable info on all the surgery's out there.   Once you decide which one you "think" you want to have done, they meet one on one with you and go over EVERYTHING so there are no unanswered questions.    I gave my procedure great thought and am very pleased with the results.    I began at 217 and now am 154 in 4 months!   My ONLY problem that I have experienced has been the "lack" of protein shakes/drinks etc.    I just from day 1 have tried everything and can't seem to "enjoy" any.   That is just me though.    I am very happy with the mesh band around my new pouch, and have had no problems.   I like you did not want a foreign object which can be felt under my skin.    No matter what precedure you choose, it has to be something that YOU want and WILL live with.    This procedure is not reversible.    I am very pleased with mine just as the MANY on this site that have undergone other types.   Discuss your surgery thorough and make sure that all questions are answered before settling on one in particular.   
I pray for each and everyone that has gone through WLS and for continued success.    Even though I am not online very much, I constantly think of you guys!!!   Take care!!!!!

Really Somja you have to decide what you want and what is best for you. With the VSG they remove half of your stomach and with RNY they only staple it - so I decided to get a pouch and live with the restrictions of RNY because that was what I had to do to be successful.

Just remember in some cases the RNY can be reversed - it is not easy but it can be done. With VSG your have your lower stomach removed totally....

Both surgeries have advantages and disadvantages - you have to really read up on them and decide what is best for YOU.

Good luck!

Jackie

THANKS ALL...I AM JUST TRYNING TO COLLECT INFO FROM FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY HAVE EXPERIENCED WLS...

I WILL BASE MY CHOICE OFF OF WHAT I FEEL IS RIGHT FOR ME...I WILL LET GOD DIRECT ME IN THE PROPER DIRECTION....AND GO WITH WHICH EVER WLS IS PLACED IN MY HEART.

I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF ONE WAS MORE OR LESS DANGEROUS THAN THE OTHER...

THANKS,
~SONJA

Well, the VSG is a purely restrictive procedure, whereas the RNY is a restrictive and malabsortive combination procedure. The malabsorptive portion is supposed to be what helps with maintenance longer term, while the restrictive is what helps with the immediate drastic weight loss. If a purely restrictive procedure is what you need (depending on your eating habits, commitment, health, etc.), then VSG is a good option.

I need more than the VSG. I am going for the DS, which is basically a VSG plus a malabsorptive step. I can lose weight--it's KEEPING it off that I need more help with, so I ned a malabsorptive component to assist me in maintenance. Also, I have type 2 diabetes, which can be immediately sent into full remission by RNY or DS, but not by VSG since the VSG does not affect the duodenum. I chose the DS for the best long term maintenance of weight loss statistics of any of the surgeries, plus the highest rate of type 2 diabetes remission post-op.

So, as others have said, you have to do what's best for you. There is no "one procedure fits all" in the world of WLS.

Regarding a lapband fill, it is my understanding that the fill needle is inserted through the skin into a receptable of the band, just under the skin in the abdomen. I don't think your veins come into play.

Regarding RNY vs VSG, I agree with all above who said that you should pick whatever seems right for you. Perhaps my skin is a little thin today (I am having a very difficult week), but when I read your statement that VSG seems like a no brainer it makes me feel like you think I am not smart because I chose to have RNY. Usually people have to meet me before they tell me they think that I am stupid.

Joe