Question:
which wls can i lose the most and unlikely to gain back im 31..5'6 & 437lbs

   — tessie306 (posted on June 4, 2009)

June 4, 2009
Your doctor will help you with that!! As far as gaining back the weight you will be the person in charge of that no matter what wls you choose!! Mike
   — matigian

June 4, 2009
Hi, The short answer to your question is to talk to your surgeon about what they feel would be best for you. There are 4 current main types of surgery. The most intense is actually two operations, the duodenal switch. It is the least common surgery, has the greatest average total weight gain, has the most malabsorption but also has restriction of how much you can eat. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is also mixed restriction and malabsorption with usual weight loss of 80-85% of excess body weight, this is currently the most common surgery. Vertical sleeve is the new kid on the block and is a restrictive only procedure which means most people don't get into the vitamin deficits that are a problem with the other two procedures as you are still using 15% of your stomach including your pylorus (the stomach outlet control) and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The main problem with this option is that many insurances don't cover it yet as it doesn't have as established a track record. I had RNY and am having good results but I expect the vertical sleeve to become the most popular option in the long term. Last is the lap band. It is the least invasive surgery and has the slowest weight loss. ALL types are tools, there is no miracle cure. With all of them we must change our eating habits and exercise. There are people who have lost and maintained large amount of weight loss with the lap band, and those who have regained with rny and duodenal switch so there is no perfect procedure. The fact that you are asking questions and researching means you can do well with any of the surgeries. One thing that I did was went to Amazon.com and searched for books written by people who were long term successful at weight loss with different surgeries. I felt that I could lose weight with any of the surgeries but I knew weight maintainence will be my problem, so I read all the books I could find to help me with what successful people did to lose and maintain weight. I am currently losing weight quickly but more importantly I'm practicing meal planning, high quality protein food preperation, journeling my eating and exercise, and exercising regularly. I hope that this practice will help me in maintaining these habits when I get to weight maintainence. Again I encourage you to learn all you can about the options, their relative risks and benefits and then discuss with your surgeon which one will be best for you (also check with your insurance on which are covered). If your surgeon doesn't want to spend enough time to cover your options and questions I would advise finding a different surgeon. Also important in the choice of a surgeon is the support personel. Can you easily access the nurtionist, is there an exercise physiologist, are there support group meetings that are readily available to your schedule, and are there support group meetings led by psychologists as well as patient led? Lots of things to consider and prepare for. It is daunting but exciting. There is no wrong or right decision but you can try to find the choice that has the most advantage least disadvantage for you personally. Hang in there. Kevin
   — hapkidodoc

June 4, 2009
RNY definately, you will learn that at seminar. If you havent attended one you need to get to one.. All your questions will be answered.
   — lesleigh07

June 4, 2009
The Duodenal Switch is by far the most effective weight loss surgery, with the least chance of regain. It has been proven to be much better than RNY in the long term, especially for patients with a high BMI. An excellent web site is http://www.dsfacts.com. Medical articles are linked there which show the data proving the superiority of DS for higher BMI patients. It also offers a better quality of life. DS patients eat normal amounts and a greater variety of foods. There is no dumping syndrome as with RNY. The chance of stricture and ulcers is much less. There is no blind stomach. After DS, it is still possible to take NSAID drugs, and drink with meals. As with any malabsorptive surgery, it is necessary to be vigilant with lab work and take vitamins and supplements accordingly every day for the rest of your life. You must be committed to that regimen in order to maintain your health after DS.
   — Anna G.

June 5, 2009
I had VSG surgery 6-23-08, I've lost 150#. I'm 58, 5'7" tall and I weighed 457 before surgery. You will lose weight faster with RNY, however with the sleeve you do not have dumping or the malabsorbtion. For me that was the most important thing. I am so thankful that I can walk again, I'm out of the wheel chair, I can drive again, I have a life! Whichever surgery you choose you will be happy with the end results, but you are the only one who can make it successful. May God Bless You Abundantly, Kathie
   — KathieV

June 5, 2009
Research every angle and try to talk to someone in person that may have had these types of surgery. I am gunning for VSG but will settle for RNY if I don't win my appeals for VSG. I am 5'1.5, 29, 275 lbs and both my mother and sister had RNY. My mother was 4'10 or 4'11, weighed 439 at one point. She passed away in a car accident (not related to WLS) but maintained her weight of 128-138 (without having any plastic surgery or she would have been less) until she died almost 10 years after WLS. I know a lot of people are going to be mad at this but she didn't follow that diet past the first month (I don't recommend not following the diet) and still lost significant weight. So just do your research and work really hard to succeed at whatever surgery you choose.
   — Papoose79

June 6, 2009
I would go with the gastric bypass I was like you 35 5'7 and 424 I am almost 6 months and I am at 295 out of 400's and out of 300's and never going back. Feel great. Angela
   — teddybear74