Question:
Which surgery is best for me: RNY or VSG?

Hello! I've been overweight my entire life. I'm 5'4" and weigh 235 lbs. I have made the decision that weight loss surgery is right for me. However, I cannot decide which surgery is best. I like the RNY because of the "dumping" syndrome. I am a sweets addict and I hope this will help. However, I don't like the fact that the bowels are touched. I like the sleeve, but the long term data is not there and I don't think the weight loss is as significant. Help!!! Thanks all!    — rokkiesgirl (posted on January 23, 2010)

January 23, 2010
go to the seminars provided by your weight loss center. Your doc should be able to help you decide which is right for you. I would say RNY, but that is because that is what I had. Only you know your situation.
   — Dawn A.

January 23, 2010
I weigh 240 and I am 5'4 and I have no medical problems my doctor preferred the RNY for me .The only down fall with the sleeve is longer recovery I heard.
   — davonjack

January 23, 2010
It is a matter of whether you want a malabsorptive procedure or not. The VSG is not, the RNY is. I had the VSG. I was off work for two weeks. No problems.
   — cydthekid50

January 23, 2010
I had the VSG on a Thursday and went back to work on Monday and have not had any problems at all. I have lost 80 pounds I know it is not as much as some other people, but I am 65 years old I think that has made a big difference. I am also 5'4". I liked the VSG because the Dr. did not have to work on anything but my stomach. I had my surgery Feb. 2009. Good luck to you
   — joejoe2

January 23, 2010
Hi there, I think you probably answered your own question. If you are a sweets person RNY usually causes dumping and that would be a deterrent. With the sleeve most people don't dump. I had RNY and haven't really ever dumped and my hubby had the sleeve and has dumped. So I guess everyone is different, I never even tried sweets because I was afraid. I still try to stay under the 16 grams of sugar in everything I eat. So whatever you think can train your bad habits is the right one for you. You know your habits better than anyone else. With RNY you have to take the proper vitamins no exceptions, so don't try to skimp and save money on cheap vitamins, so keep that in mind its about $130 for 90 days. Good Luck
   — ToniLee

January 23, 2010
For MOST people, I would say the VSG would be the best procedure for them. The results are nearly identical to the RnY (for most people), but you do not have to deal with issues such as dumping syndrome and supplements for the rest of your life. You are left with a much smaller stomach with the VSG, and that is the only thing that the doctor does. He does not reroute intestines. We who have the VSG do not have issues with medications. I was up and about within a few days, and there was no problem or complications with my surgery at all (except for a yeast infection of my incisions, but that was not a complication of the surgery, that was due to the area where I live being hot, humid, and full of yeast spores in the air. I simply slept without my bandages at night to combat the yeast. I would have had the same problem if I had gotten the RnY. I have lost over 100 pounds in little more than a year, and am quite satisfied with the results. I hope this helps.
   — hubarlow

January 24, 2010
One other thing you might want to keep in mind is that with RNY you can never take NSAIDS again. I am arthritic and MUST take NSAIDS, so I went with the VSG. I am only 3 weeks out, but I love it. Recovery was quick and easy, I went back to work after a week. I still get a little tired, but I just rest. Problem solved. Also, VSG is generally recommended for diabetics.
   — pshock

January 24, 2010
I had laproscopic VSG. I do not work, but I had no issues with the recovery time. I can totally see how someone had it on Thur and went back to work on Mon. I had surgery in June 2009 I am 5'9" and weighed 332 lbs when I had surgery. I now weigh 215.2 lbs. I have had some hair loss but I had thin hair to begin with. but the weight loss totally over rides the hair loss =). I was diabetic (2 pills daily), and had high blood pressure (3 pills daily), and high cholesterol (1 pill) and an asprin daily. I now take an aciphex pill, 1/2 of A blood pressure pill, a biotin, and multivitamin. Good Luck on your journey!!!
   — callen3640