rny vs vsg

Help!I thought I had my mind made up, but now I'm questioning myself. What did you choose and why? 

I had my mind made up on VSG for quite awhile. When I finally met with the surgeon, he said the two factors that would make him suggest RNY over VSG are diabetes and GERD, and I have both. I have a strong family history or diabetes and have been on meds since I was 23, so the fact that the RNY has better success with diabetes resolution does appeal to me. I'm still uncomfortable about a more drastic operation than I was expecting though. But ultimately it was my severe GERD that swayed me. VSG can worsen GERD or cause it in people who don't have it (although some other studies show the opposite; results are totally mixed). RNY can cure it because the acid-secreting portion of the stomach is no longer even connected to the esophagus.

If I didn't have GERD and wasn't diabetic, I absolutely would go for the VSG instead. My husband is also diabetic and has a lot more to lose than I do, but he's having VSG a week after my RNY. He hasn't had diabetes as long as I have and has never been on as many meds for it, and GERD has never been an issue for him, so our surgeon is supportive of each of our choices. Different strokes for different folks, sometimes even in the same household.  =)

I wanted VSG but my insurance would only pay for RNY or band so I got RNY.  I too, was concerned about a more drastic surgery but could not have been happier with my decision.  It does seem to me, watching lightweights over the past 5 yrs, that the RNY folks maybe have an easier time taking it all off and keeping it all off.  Certainly, anyone can overeat any surgery.  I was borderline diabetic, gerd, cpac, high BP, high cholesterol.  I am off all meds except acid reducer which is pretty normal for RNY folks due to tiny pouch and lots of acid but as long as I stay on my med, I have no issues with gerd.  I just did a stress echo and the tech said my treadmill test was what they would expect of a healthy 31 yr old.  Not bad for a 66 yr old formerly fat lady.

My insurance also only covered RNY (longer history of the actual surgery being performed I think)  anyways so Id check that out before you get your heart set on one or the other.  But the biggest differences Ive read about are the RNY is more effective in resolving GERD & Diabetes (I had both), and the big plus for the Sleeve is that we RNY'ers have to deal with potential vitamin deficiency's our entire lives so must be on compensating vitamins forever, and supposedly with the sleeve it isn't such an issue.  Good luck with your choice!