Question:
What exactly is the difference between a sleeve and rny

   — brenda1958 (posted on February 15, 2008)

February 15, 2008
The sleeve is the first part of the Duodenal Switch weight loss surgery and is sometimes done as a stand alone procedure and others like myself have both parts. Check out DuodenalSwitch.com or come to the Duodenal Switch forum here on OH. We have some very active members from AL over there. Good luck!!
   — SameButDifferent

February 15, 2008
There are many many people on this site that have the sleeve as a stand alone WLS. It is called the VSG, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. With the VSG 85% to 95% of your stomach is removed. There is no rearrangement of the gastric system. There is no relocation of the intestines. It is a relatively easy surgury for the surgeon and there are vertually no problems after recovery. Please come to the Vertical Sleeve Forum if you want to know more. There are alot of happy people there. Pat
   — pjennjr

February 15, 2008
The BIG difference is that VSG is purely restrictive and the RNY is both restrictive & off malabsorbtion. To make is simple say the RNY patient and the VSG patient ate a 100 calorie item...the RNY may absorb 70 calories and the VSG patient would absorb them all (don't hold me to the exact absorbtion percent). Of course the RNY also causes the malabsorbtion of of other nutrients as one of the MANAGABLE side effects. Also people with higher BMIs tend to lean toward the RNY because of the benefits of malabsortion and sugar intolerance (VSGs don't have the sugar intolerance that RNYs have). Hope this helps.
   — tazthewiz23

February 16, 2008
I know insurace will cover RNY if they cover WLS but I beleive that the Sleeve is too new and no insurance will cover it yet. I had a RNY and it was the best thing I ever did.
   — William (Bill) wmil