If you're dealing with unexplained pain, you definitely need to talk to your doctor.

For bowel trouble, you may want to take something like Miralax to get everything moving.

So just turkey, no veggies or cheese on that turkey?

Thank you for your valuable information and support. I agree I should get the bypass.

with a BMI of 38.5 with co-morbidities, you are big enough. Plus, I have been talking to pre-op groups every month for the last three or so years. I would guess most of the people (or women, anyway) in those classes are in the 200-250 lb range. Out of a group of 25 or so, there are usually around four or five whom I'd guess to be in the 300s. Everyone else appears smaller. I think most people's perceptions of weight loss surgery patients come from "My 600 lb Life". I've worked with a lot of pre-op groups, and I've never personally seen a WLS patient anywhere near that large.

as for complications, they aren't all that common and most are minor. I had two strictures within the first three months post-op. Strictures happen to about 5% of RNY patients, according to the PA at my surgeon's office. As such, they're one of the most common complications. I would hardly call something that happens to 5% of people "common", but that should give you an idea. I think most people who haven't done any research on this are working with very dated information. WLS was very risky back in the 60s and 70s, but it's just not anymore. It's a routine surgery that carries about the same risk as having your gall bladder out. It's much safer than other common surgeries, such as hip replacement.

if you have GERD, you should be considering RNY (bypass). RNY often improves or even cures it. VSG can make it worse (although not always. I had GERD before surgery. I knew there was a decent change it would NOT make it worse, but I didn't want to take that risk because it DOES make it worse for a significant minority).

Very good advice! Thank you!