Hi! New here... I'm looking into the Sleeve but my BMI is 53

Has anyone here had long term success with the sleeve with a BMI over 50? I have been told that I should be getting a different surgery since my BMI is so high, but I don't like the mal-absortion issues. I believe I could be successful with the sleeve and with going to therapy for my food issues.

Has anyone here been successful long term with a high BMI? 

Thank you!!

I know you asked about long term success, but when I had my surgery two weeks ago my BMI was 50.

Definitely following this thread as I'm in a similar boat -- BMI over 50 and Surgeon recommending Bypass and I much prefer Sleeve.  I'm trying to get my BMI down by the time surgery should happen (in July or August) in hopes that will help my argument.  Though my surgeon has also admitted that the abdominal hernia I had repaired recently might have caused my bowels to be too stuck to be able to do the Bypass.

I think if you stick around long enough and read posts you will see people with sleeves that have lost lots of weight. I guess you have to ask yourself some questions... If you have GERD or Diabetes many Docs will push for bypass rather than sleeve. For good reason, it has a longer track record with helping people in these areas.

Taking vitamins is not horrible... you need to take them for life with the sleeve also, just a few less.

Why did I choose RNY? Well with a BMI of about 53 I wanted the malabsorption. I wanted something that was going to get me on the right track to lose the weight. I was at a point in my life that even when I diet and restricted my eating, I wasn't losing significant amounts of weight. I wasn't sure restriction alone would be enough.

Your dedication is what is the most important...

I am not long term by any means. I had the sleeve not quite a year ago with a BMI of 54. I have currently lost 155 pounds and am still losing. Current BMI of 30.1. It is definitely possible to lose with the sleeve. It is all in how you use it. 

I would do the sleeve, it's less invasive, and it's overall a safer procedure, being over all, this surgery has been taking place for over 60 years if not longer. Not as a weight loss option, but as a result of military combat wounds to the stomach. It was originally termed a gastrectomy. They just discovered that weight loss was a side effect from it. Sorry for the history lesson. The point I am trying to make is if you have the sleeve done and you still have issues, it can be revised into the RNY bypass. If you go straight to the RNY bypass, that's it. My BMI was above 50 as well and I did the sleeve on 11/17/15 and it has been an amazing journey, 104 pounds lost, 74 since surgery and 30 prior. Hope my advice helps. Good luck.

My BMI was 49 at the time of the sleeve. I went from 420 - 335 before surgery and after the VSG from 335-188. But I experienced a significant regain of 70+ lbs. but since joining Overeaters Anonymous , at 4.5 yrs out, I've lost almost half of my regain already. 

Statistically, RNY and VSG are pretty similar in weight loss #s. It all depends on how you use your tool. 

While I'm only a little over 7 months out, my starting BMI was 50 and I have been really successful with the sleeve - down 128 lbs so far. I really think it's more a matter of properly using your tool than the tool itself. If you follow the plan, you will definitely lose - whether you have a BMI of 35 or 55. 

Hi I responded a little more on the other forum, I see you cross posted. I had the sleeve done & I'm happy with my choice. I started with a bmi of 57. I'm not a vet but I think I made the best choice for me. There are other people who had the sleeve done & had a higher bmi than me & are doing well. It all comes down to what you're willing to do now & forever.

My BMI was over 70. I don't know what you consider long term, but I m pretty damn happy with the results.