Hi everyone I am new here and I am about to go for my first appointment with my surgeon to set up a date for my surgery. My insurance has already cleared me for it and I am so excited/nervous. I am trying to decide between the gastric sleeve and the gastric bypass I am hoping the doctor can help me figure out which one is best for me. I am 31 years old and have around 150lbs to lose. I am hoping this surgery will help with my diabetes and PCOS. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate more than you can ever imagine.
New here and thought I would say hi
- Thread starter Jjt1180
- Start date
Qaterra
Member
Welcome! Congratulations on your decision to better your life.
As Karenina said, there's lots of good support here. And I, too, am impressed you already have your insurance approval. Some people really have to jump through lots of hoops before they get it.
Although I recommend asking your questions of your surgeon and nutritionist -- make a list of them before you go -- this is a good place to ask questions of those who have "been there, done that."
As Karenina said, there's lots of good support here. And I, too, am impressed you already have your insurance approval. Some people really have to jump through lots of hoops before they get it.
Although I recommend asking your questions of your surgeon and nutritionist -- make a list of them before you go -- this is a good place to ask questions of those who have "been there, done that."
Pat99
Member
Jjt-Welcome to the forum. Both surgeries will yield close to the same results as far as weight loss. The gastric bypass alters the digestive system and gives you a tiny stomach (pouch) about the size of an egg and the sleeve gives you a stomach the size of a medium banana. Because the gastric bypass alters your digestive system you have to take vitamins and supplements for the rest of your life to avoid malnutrition. This is no big deal. The surgery and healing time is shorter for the sleeve because it is far less invasive than the gastric bypass. Also, with the gastric bypass, your food selections are more limited after surgery and you will be more likely to experience dumping syndrome if you eat certain carbs and sugars.
Your surgeon will recommend which surgery he / she thinks will be better for you but you will be responsible for making the final decision. Take a list of questions with you to your consult. Don't be shy about asking whatever is on your mind. I had a list of at least 15 questions and when I was done my surgeon said he never had a patient who asked him so many good questions before *LOL*. He was very accomadating in answering and didn't make me feel like he was rushing me to get to the next patient. Because of this I decided he was a good "match" for me even though he was very young and didn't have as much experience as some of the surgeon's in his group. During surgery he ran into a lot of scar tissue from a hernia surgery I had 6 months earlier and had to change his approach to the opposite direction he usually uses. This caused my surgery to take a lot more time to do. I think if I had chosen a different, more established surgeon that the surgery would have ended up being done "open" instead of laproscopically for convenience purposes. The reason I am telling you all of this is because of all the questions I asked during my consult I was able to get a better feel of the surgeon's demeanor and the level of care I would expect to get from him. This being said, start making your list of questions to take with you
Your surgeon will recommend which surgery he / she thinks will be better for you but you will be responsible for making the final decision. Take a list of questions with you to your consult. Don't be shy about asking whatever is on your mind. I had a list of at least 15 questions and when I was done my surgeon said he never had a patient who asked him so many good questions before *LOL*. He was very accomadating in answering and didn't make me feel like he was rushing me to get to the next patient. Because of this I decided he was a good "match" for me even though he was very young and didn't have as much experience as some of the surgeon's in his group. During surgery he ran into a lot of scar tissue from a hernia surgery I had 6 months earlier and had to change his approach to the opposite direction he usually uses. This caused my surgery to take a lot more time to do. I think if I had chosen a different, more established surgeon that the surgery would have ended up being done "open" instead of laproscopically for convenience purposes. The reason I am telling you all of this is because of all the questions I asked during my consult I was able to get a better feel of the surgeon's demeanor and the level of care I would expect to get from him. This being said, start making your list of questions to take with you
TwoMas
Member
Hi Jjt, Welcome. I don't have much more advice than already said by everyonels but I must add, it is very important to follow your pre op meal plans and direction as best as you can, it will help you recover faster and make surgery much easier for the surgeons. Hang in there it can be an emotional rollercoaster at times. Tom
Tom