Question:
sleeve vs ryn
wondering for those of you that have had one or the other what you choosed and why and why not the other? in a pickle here surgen says he would approve me for both and its my call so any help would be appreciated thanks — sl1pp1nghalo (posted on March 11, 2009)
March 11, 2009
I had the RNY because it was the one my insurance would cover. I hear the
sleeve has less malabortion problems.
— trible
March 11, 2009
While the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is considered an experimental surgery
when used for WEIGHT LOSS, it has been used successfully for DECADES for
both the removal of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. It has been proven
to be a very SAFE procedure wit very FEW side effects. ONE of the side
effects that it DID have was WEIGHT LOSS. This was one of the reasons that
many surgeons decided to try to USE it FOR that purpose. While the US
government considers the procedure to be experimental because the data that
had been gathered from the procedure when performed for ulcers and cancer
is not considered valid for weight loss. In order for the results to be
considered valid, the results have to be from surgeries that are performed
STRICTLY for weight loss. The VSG has been performed in the US for less
than 10 years for weight loss. Until it has been performed for LONGER than
10 years, it will not be "certified" as a valid treatment, and
will be considered experimental. It has been performed OUTSIDE the US with
good results. Most of the data I have seen puts the success rate of the
VSG at about 78 percent in comparison to the RNY's 80 percent. The
difference of 2 percent is statistically insignificant. The fact that the
side effects are FEW when in comparison to the RNY, more than make up for 2
percent difference in my layman's opinion. The RNY can have a number of
side effects that range in severity. Malabsorption is one of the biggest
issues, with dumping caused by both carbohydrates and fats being another.
There is also the issue of gas from the undigested portion of the food in
your intestines, as well as foul smelling stools. Not all RNY patients
suffer from these issues, but ENOUGH do to MAKE it an issue, and you never
know if YOU are going to be ONE of these people until AFTER the surgery.
These are NOT issues with the VSG. You do NOT need regular blood work
because of malabsorption issues. EVERYTHING you eat is absorbed! You just
eat LESS because you have less STOMACH. Frankly, I think that many
surgeons do not OFFER the VSG because they want to have REPEAT PATIENTS.
The Gastric Bypass and the Duodenal Switch BOTH guarantee that. You need
to KEEP seeing the doctor for blood work and in many cases, he will sell
you his OWN supplements. This is GUARANTEED INCOME for the doctor. With
the VSG, NONE of this happens. You have the surgery, a few check up
appointments at the MOST, and then you are DONE. The doctor likely never
sees you again. I had the VSG, and I lost 116 pounds in a year. I am
QUITE happy with the surgery. I have had NO problems with it. I would
highly recommend it to anyone. If you want to find out MORE about your
surgical options, check out my profile page at:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/ . Look for the post titled
"Surgical Comparisons." If you can't find it on the main profile
page, look in the March 2008 archives. I hope this helps. Hugh
— hubarlow
March 11, 2009
When I was trying to decide which surgery I had only the band and RNY to
choose from. I never heard of the sleeve till i joined OH. The reason I
choose to have the RNY is because of the fact you don't absorb everything.
Not that that gives me a reason to eat bad, because I don't. I think its
alot easier to lose the weight since my body isn't absorbing everything. I
still eat healthier then i did pre-op. Having to take vitamins for the
rest of my life is a small price to pay for losing all the weight and being
healthy. So far, I haven't had any complications from having the RNY. I am
13 months post-op RNY and have lost 143lbs and am 6 days post-up from
abdominalplasty with v/e. I don't know anything about the sleeve, just
wanted to tell you my story. Good luck with whichever you choose. If you
have any questions that i can help you with plz send me a message and i
will be happy to try and answer it.
— crystalking
March 11, 2009
I choose to have the RNY is because you don't absorb everything. I lost 243
it's been almost 3 years since I had mine done, I'm very happy with the
results. I have to take some vitimans everyday but I did that prior to the
surgery
— Michael Moody
March 11, 2009
I chose the sleeve over the lap band and RNY because I didn't want to worry
about the band slipping, or going back and forth for fills and I know that
for some they can still eat as before until they reach that
"magic" fill amount - and for some it is several months out!
Plus, I have a lot of weight I am working on losing (over 200 lbs - I have
lost 100 of it at 5 months out). I chose it over the RNY because I didn't
want to reroute my intestines and have severe malabsorption issues, etc.
With the sleeve you don't have the putrid smelling gas, you don't dump, but
you do still lose "almost" as fast. I just felt I would be able
to cope with the long-term effects of the sleeve over the RNY. Plus, with
the sleeve, they remove about 90% of your stomach - and the part of your
stomach they remove is where Ghrelin is produced - ghrelin is the hormone
that tells your brain you are hungry. I still do have hunger feelings (I
feel my stomach growl, etc.), but it just isn't the same as before. It is
also harder to stretch the part of the stomach that is left because 1) it
is long tubular shape and the shape makes it harder to stretch, and 2) the
tissue making up that part of the stomach makes it harder to stretch. I do
know that if you are someone that has a hard time avoiding things like
shakes, etc., I would probably go with the RNY because with any of these
surgeries you can still easily "drink" your calories down and
they are those that put the weight back on or just don't lose because they
will eat ice cream, drink shakes, etc. that go down easily - but with the
RNY you will dump if you eat sugar. It really has to be your decision!
Wishing you only the best on your journey!
— Wendy M.
March 12, 2009
I had the VSG surgery done June 16th of 2008. I have lost 75 pounds and
feel healthier than I have in years. I have had no problems or ill side
effects from my surgery. I follow a healthy eating plan and make sure I
get plenty of protein. This isn't a diet, it's eating healthy for the rest
of my life. The VSG surgery has far less possible complications than the
RYN. My doctor refused to approve me for the RYN due to the risks involved
as he knew that I could lose just as much weight with the VSG without the
dumping problems. While it may be true as some have stated to you that the
VSG is considered an experimental surgery, it has been being done for 5
years now with no deaths or terrible side effects at this point. I felt
complete confidence in having the VSG and I would challenge you to find
someone who would say anything different. The risks with the RYN are so
great and there have been deaths directly related to the surgery. My
surgeon said it would only be worth it to do the RYN IF you were so
overweight that your life was at risk to begin with due to sugar diabetes
or high blood pressure. So, I would say think long and hard about your
decision it's one you will be living with for the rest of your life....and
it is YOUR decision. YOU should be happy and at peace with the decision
you make. Don't let someone else make it for you. And be careful not to
be influenced just by another's opinion. It's your body and your future
health. You can lose just as much weight as you need to with the VSG it
just won't happen quite as fast as with RYN.
— Jodi L.
March 12, 2009
I chose the sleeve because it sounded less invasive since they don't mess
with your intestines. I'm VERY pleased!!! I did want to say...while it is
easy to get too many calories in by drinking shakes and/or eating ice
cream, etc...your stomach is very small and still will not allow you to
over do it. Even though you may be taking in "liquid forms" your
stomach still fills up quickly. I love the fact that I can eat whatever I
want, just in smaller portions. I don't want to think there are any foods I
can NEVER have again. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!
— AprilJM
March 12, 2009
I chose the sleeve. I have lost 123 lbs in 11 months. At a normal BMI, but
wanting to lose about 10 more. I was self pay so I could get whatever I
wanted. I had heard too many stories about people having long term issues
with deficiencies and have seen MANY acquaintences who had bypass start
gainng the weight back after 3-5 years. With the sleeve the ghrelin hormone
is removed so you likely won't experience much hunger if any. I lost all
interest in food. The part of the tummy that is left is the non-elastic
part so it doesn't tend to stretch much. You can take any medicatiomns you
may need, like Nsaids. The success rate is proving to be on the same level
as the bypass, but you can live a more "normal" life. Think long
term. You have to live with your choice forever unless you get the band.
But then, what's the point?
— corky1057
March 12, 2009
This is a very personal choice. RNY has a greater and faster rate of weight
loss the the VSG. With RNY U will HAVE to take vitamins the rest of your
life and have them checked regular since this surgery is based on
mal-absorbation for the weight loss. With the VSG all your anatomy stays
just the way mother nature made it. It is a restrictive procedure in that a
large portion of the stomach is removed forcing you to eat much less. BOTH
surgeries have rules you will need to follow the rest of your life. RNY in
effect will cure diabetics and VSG will not unless it is caused by the
weight and not genetics. With RNY you have the added help and or problem of
having sensitivity to sweets and starches (will make you sick/dump). For
some folks they need the added help for will power reason. VSG dose not do
this. HOWEVER if U eat too much you will get sick or vomit. With VSG you
are expected to make good healthy food choices. You will need more self
control in my personal opinion. I have the VSG. There are forum's for both
surgeries as well as a ton of information on both of them here on
ObesityHelp.com. I also recommend using SparkPeople.com, NutriMirror.com,
Daily Plate.com
— chell1957
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