Sleeve or Bypass

When I started looking into having WLS the surgeon at the military hospital pushed the sleeve.  After listening to what he had to say it seemed like the best choice.  It looks like you can get close to the same results as you would with the bypass but without some of the complications.  I had set myself up for having the sleeve and went about doing what I had to do pre-op.  Then that surgeon left for training and a new surgeon came in.  I met with him a week ago and he asked me about my choices.  He actually asked me a lot of questions, I guess making sure I had done my homework.  He told me that he has done more bypass operations than sleeve operations and he thinks its the better option.  He says the other surgeon pushed the sleeve because its an easier surgery.  He doesn't deny that some people have the same results with the sleeve but he says since there isn't any long term research results he would think the bypass would produce better results.  

I'm still torn about it.  I know people who have had the bypass and had great results.  I don't personally know anyone who has had the sleeve.  It seems like no one new comes to the support group meetings we are all supposed to attend.  I'm scheduled to have bypass on the 28th (just two weeks).   I'm sure if I e-mail or call the doctor about not being sure he will just cancel my surgery and tell me to reschedule when I've made up my mind.  

I was wondering what everyone elses views are. 

Thanks!

Tracy

 The sleeve wasn't an option for me where I live, it was either the RNY or LapBand.  I choose my RNY because I know myself and I knew if there was an ability for me to eat around something, sadly I would.  Now, I know lot of people on here have had the sleeve, band and RNY and have done fantastic with them.   RNY happened to be the best for me.  

 It's really a personal choice but from the sounds of your post, your surgeon doesn't seem the most comfortable performing the sleeve.  Personally, that would make me a little nervous because you want to go in knowing that you are experienced hands.   He's probably a great surgeon but it's something to think about.   

As far as is the sleeve better/worse than RNY and vice versa...I don't think there's any way to say.  I've always been a believer that no matter what surgery you choose, it's going to take lot of lifestyle changes and hard work.  Nothing is magical, there's going to be a lot of effort on yours and anyones part to make any surgery sucessful.   It looks like you've already done a lot of research on both surgeries, so go with your gut (no pun intended) on what you think will match up best with you the rest of your life.  

Best of luck!

~Emily~ 

 While I completely believe that it is a decision that is personal and that you need to pick the surgery that you think will work best for you, your post seemed to suggest you wanted some input from sleeve patients since you don't have many at support group. I researched WLS for a couple of years torn between the RNY and Banding. I didn't like the number of complications of the bypass or the lack of data and fact that many patients have to have their bands removed after 5 years out so I pretty much put off surgery for years because I couldn't convince myself that either was worth the risk for me. ( I will say I had particular worries with the bypass because of a history of kidney stones and chronic anemia so absorption was a major concern for me personally) Then the sleeve came along and I was sold almost instantly. Some of the main selling points of the sleeve FOR ME were:
1) less absorption issues
2) lower complication rate
3) If (god forbid) I start gaining weight later in life (I'm only 21) I can always have the bypass portion done when I'm 50 or 60. If you have bypass there isn't much they can do for you if you start to regain significantly. 
4) And a major factor was based on being young and wanting to be able to go out and have a drink with friends and not be trashed off of a drink or two; and I know this sounds like blasphemy on a WLS board, but things like if and when I get married I'd like to be able to have a piece of my wedding cake without dumping syndrome.

So those were my reasons, but once again, I just want to emphasize that its a personal choice, and what was right for me doesn't mean that's what is right for you. I would suggest just really thinking about what you think is going to work for your lifestyle in the long run, keeping in mind that not matter which surgery you choose it is a HUGE lifestyle change and you can work with your tool to achieve the weight loss results you want. 

I know this is a choice I have to make myself.  I usually just "feel" a certain way about things and that is how I choose.  With this I'm torn.  I know I need to have the surgery, to turn my life around and start on the path to a healthy me.  I think it will also be good for my husband since he will eat better if I eat better not to mention my almost three year old.  

I agree with your reason for going with the sleeve over the bypass or band.  That was how I felt originally.  The research seems to show most of the weight loss you get with a bypass without some of the major complications.  It seemed like a no brainer at first.  I have honestly thought about being able to have that one slice of cake at my daughters birthday without fear.  I don't drink anyway but I can totally see your point.

I already kinda have something I would call mild dumping.  My body doesn't always tolerate certain foods.  Its random though and not always caused by sugar or fat.  Neither of my surgeons seem to think that it will be a problem though.   

I guess I have seen people on OH with great results with the sleeve but I know that everyone is different and you only get out of it what you put into it.

Thanks for your input! 

Having a stomach that works normally, as you do with the sleeve, can be a good thing and it can also be a curse. On one hand, it's one of the things I liked best about the sleeve. I didn't really want malabsorption, I didn't want dumping, I wanted a WLS that would allow me to live a normal life. To me, the beauty of it is that you can still eat whatever, just a lot less of it.

But on the other hand, if you aren't careful and ready to change, you can obviously choose to eat the wrong foods and nullify the affects of being sleeved in the first place. Ice cream goes down just fine and it does not fill you up. However, from what I've heard, it's also very possible to "eat around" the RNY.

I wouldn't let lack of long term research deter you though. Every surgery got its start somewhere. Although the truth is that "forms" of the sleeve surgery have been done for years, both as stage one of a DS and in other cases of stomach cancer, etc.

Honestly, I'm never really sure what to say in these posts. But if there is anything specific you are curious about or any questions you might have, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

I originally thought I wanted a sleeve if I ever got WLS, but decided against it later. It's a good thing to have dumping for me because I'm way addicted to carbs and sugar. I don't severely dump but I can occasionally feel kind of icky for a few minutes after eating something with a bunch of refined sugar, like ice cream. It depends I think on whether or not I have anything in my stomach before I eat something sweet. Either way, it's much easier for me to stay away from sugar and carbs i don't need because I don't want that icky feeling. But I'm not scared out of my mind of feeling it to keep me from eating a few bites of cake or a small lollipop or something when I really want it. The malabsorption not only helps me lose weight but It's one more reason to stay away from my beloved carbs. I don't have room for carbs AND protein and I really need protein. The fast weight loss is definitely a plus. I'm never hungry... One pro of RNY over VSG is that the RNY cures acid reflux, which I never had, but if you do, it's great :) You have to choose what's best for you in the end and the surgery you're most comfortable with. Good luck!