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[Khl5555]

Hi, my name is Kristyn and I’m new here. I have my surgery date of 1/28/21 and looking forward to it. I have the choice of either Bypass or Sleeve and was wondering what people’s thoughts were on either one? I have a hitial hernia and acid reflux, that I’m hoping get fixed/go away with the surgery. Any thoughts on either procedure would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JudyNY]

Welcome Kristyn and congratulations on getting a surgery date! I had the sleeve but if my memory serves me correctly I think those who have acid reflux tend to go with a bypass. Maybe others will chime in and let you know. Did you discuss the acid reflux with your surgeon and if so did he indicate which one might be best?

 

[Tokash]

Ues if you have acid issues go with the bypass. A sleeve can cause acid issues in some people ( im one of those lucky ones) where are the bypass stops it.

 

[WazzuCoug]

They usually recommend the bypass if there are existing acid reflux issues, although I have known a couple people who had GERD who still decided to get the sleeve and saw some improvement, or just decided to continue treating their symptoms like they were before surgery because they did not want the bypass. I don't know that I would have done the same. I got the VSG, and had a hiatal hernia repair, but I didn't have any issues with acid reflux before, and so far (23 weeks) I haven't developed anything negative.

If I did have a history of acid reflux, I think I'd be leaning toward the bypass, especially if the reflux was a pretty regular thing. The bypass almost always takes care of that.

 

[TraceyT]

I went with bypass. My doctor told me that you can get reflux or make it worse with the sleeve. I also had other health issues that my doctor said would possibly get better/require less medication if I had bypass. My surgery was 1/22/2020 and my only regret is not having done it sooner! Talk to your surgeon about specific pros/cons based on your medical health issues.

 

[Khl5555]

Thank you all for your info. I’m still trying to decide which procedure along with my surgeon.

 

[WazzuCoug]

As a side note, without a history of acid reflux or GERD, there is about a 9% chance that a patient would develop it after VSG, and practically 0% after a bypass. That risk goes up if you have any acid reflux history to almost a 25% chance of having serious acid/GERD issues after VSG. I've seen some studies that illustrate even a higher risk. I do have a couple of friends who went forward with VSG even though they had pretty bad reflux issues, and for them, things remained pretty much the same and they chose to manage it, but there is definitely a risk with the VSG which doesn't exist with the bypass.

I felt okay taking the risk since I had no history and my endoscopy didn't show any issues, but I knew it was a possibility going in. It just depends on what your risk tolerance is and if you have other reasons for choosing one surgery over the other. They both have their issues, but both are quite safe, as far as surgeries go. You can also reach your goals though either one.

 

[missyinacage]

Hi. I had very bad GERD for years and chose to go the bypass route. Yes, the risk of complications is a bit higher if you have the gastric bypass but it is not considered a dangerous surgery by any means. And it is more likely that you will see serious improvement for your reflux with the bypass. I had no complications whatsoever and would 100% recommend the bypass, if that is what your surgeon feels is right for you. Good luck .