Introduction and a few questions

 Hi everyone!  I was kindly referred to this board after asking some questions on the main forum and. Am so glad I was!  My name is Lauren and I weigh 221 lbs at 5'4, bmi of almost 38 with high cholesterol (251, yikes!) and pre diabetic (sugars fluctuate between 96-106, not terrible but certainly not great with a STRONG family history of type II diabetes).  After about 6 months of research I finally took the the plunge and met with my PCM regarding weight loss surgery this past Friday.  She was INCREDIBLY supportive and understanding.  I was so grateful!  She gave me a referral and asked me to check back in with her monthly during my journey.  By that afternoon I had received a call my referral management at the hospital (tricare prime so will be on post at a military MTF) to schedule for me for "super Tuesday" which I guess is a 6 hour class/introduction/seminar to get me started on the bariatric pathway at the hospital.  I already know I will have to attend a support group (which I'm pretty excited about), a have a psych veal, nutrition meeting, edg, and EKG.  I believe they already have the necessary blood work since I did an extensive draw this past week before seeing my PCM.

Right now I am pretty torn between RNY and the VSG and would love to hear some personal experiences from fellow lightweights.  My main concern with the RNY is long term effects of malabsorption.  My concern with the VSG is the overall lower percentage of weight loss.  I'm really excited to join this group (will be working on uploading an avatar photo shortly!) and hope to get lots of advice and insight along the way.  

That is a big decision to choose from which WLS you can live with.  A lot depends on you.  What kind of eater you are, how you are able to lose weight, etc.  If you are strictly a volume eater and are able to lose weight fairly easily when you diet then the VSG may be right for you.  The RNY may help if your metabolism is shot from years of dieting and you have to fight for every ounce you lose.  The malabsorption may help you lose but after a while, usually between years 2 and 3, the malabsorption goes away and you are left with just restriction, along with a permanent malabsorption of vitamins, plus no pyloric valve in play which means you may dump when you eat sugar and you could wind up with reactive hypoglycemia, which is no fun.  Some people want to dump when they eat sugar as a deterrent but most do not dump.  Only about 30% of post ops dump and many who do dump don't find it helps them stay away from sugar.  Also, the dumping may lessen as time goes on.  Personally, in hindsight, I probably would have done better with just a lot of restriction with little to no malabsorption.  Apparently I have no problem losing weight when I don't eat a lot.  Who knew?  I also have a problem with eating carbs and I have to completely avoid refined carbs, sugar and things with gluten.  This would be the case no matter what WLS I had as there is no WLS that causes you to malabsorb simple carbs.  There is also the DS, which is restriction (the VSG) with a lot more malabsorption, which is permanent.  This also has the best stats for resolving comorbidities such as diabetes and has the best weight loss and maintenance of all the WLS out there.  It also has the highest requirements for supplements and follow up since it is so malabsorptive but you can get your surgeon to give you a longer common channel so you don't malabsorb so much.
Another thing to consider is if you have reflux.  The sleeve may make that worse while the RNY can cure it for some.
There is a lot to think about.  You may want to talk to post ops of all surgeries and find out about their lifestyle and weight loss.  It helps to talk to people out a few years or so since most of us are happy with whatever surgery we have when we are dropping weight like crazy and are still in the honeymoon phase.  There is also the lap band but most people wouldn't recommend that, including many who have the lap band.  It just seems to have the worst stats for weight loss, maintenance and it has a lot of complications and a high chance of needing more surgery.

Welcome to the LW forum. First, you will find the people here to be very supportive and helpful as you take your journey. I decided on VSG because I didn't want temporary malabsorption. I also have had several people in my life that had RNY who also have regained most of their weight.

I would recommend that you go to both the RNY & VSG forums and check them out thoroughly. You will find that for most people, the weight loss percentage is about the same for RNY & VSG. I believe that participating in a support group, and on the forums here can greatly increase your chances of success because you can get quick help  and support when you need it. This journey is not an easy one, but communication with those who are on it too is a big help.

Finally, how is your support system at home? Is your DH on board? What about extended family and friends? It can make a difference.

Hi Lauren and welcome to the LW board.

Only you can decide what type of surgery you need.  I had RNY and am thrilled with the results.  I needed the malabsorption.  We must take vitamins the rest of our lives so be sure you are prepared for that before you have a malabsorption surgery.  The malabsorption of food may end but it never ends for vitamins.

Take the pre-op time to get your body ready for surgery.  Try to get in some exercise/walking.  Does your surgeon do all types of surgery?  If so, talk to them about the surgery.  When you attend seminar hopefully they will go over the different types.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Ready and study everything you can get your hands on.  You want to be as prepared as possible.

Good Luck.  Be sure to keep us updated.

Linda

 Thank you all so much for your kind responses!  My DH and immediate family are very very supportive.  I consider myself lucky.  They are the only people I have discussed this with as well, I just don't feel like its anyone else's business really :). I'm glad the have heard back from people who have had both surgeries.  I have been frequenting the surgical boards daily and am just absorbing the overwhelming amount of information.  I also came across the regrets board...which was scary, but I appreciated the alternate perspective.  I think someone above had mentioned the DS and unfortunately that isn't an option for me (insurance reasons) but I understand it is very successful.  There is a lot of local support in my city as which, which I think will also benefit me in the long run.  I am someone who enjoys support groups, and I know I can take a lot away from them as a resource as well.

Right now I'm just feeling excited and nervous at the same time.  Maybe a little scared too.  I guess one of my bigger worries is that I will be one of the smaller people in the room for the orientation, and that other people may judge me like, "why is she here?" kind of thing.  I guess this is normal, but I know I really need to let go of worrying about what, other people think of me.

I am having RNY because I have high cholesterol, am diabetic and have a very strong family history of heart disease.  They said the malabsorption would be good for me.  My sister-in-law had VSG (no comorbidities) and she has done FANTASTIC.  I dont think that you lose slower... I think there just isn't as many years of information on VSG as RNY.  Good luck with your decision!  I dont really think there is a wrong answer. :o)

I am having the VSG in 10 days. May mom had the RNY in may and is doing fantastic! She needed the malabsorption and grazes more than I do. I know the statistics show I'll lose about 9% less (I think) with the VSG but seriously that's like 7 lbs! It wasn't worth it to me. Hopefully I can beat the odds and loose more. I switched back and forth on the surgeries at first. Good luck with Tricare. I used to have them when I was in the Navy and then a Marine wife. I am so glad they pay for this surgery!

Welcome aboard. You're doing great in your research and I wish you all the best with your decision. Lightweights seem on average to do very well with any of the WLSs you just need to pick the one you can live with and the one that will address your eating demons. Good luck!

--gina

Have a think about the duodenal switch too it's the best for long term weight loss.  There's lots of info on DSfacts.com

Welcome to the LW board.

Liz