Hello all, Natalie here. I am 31, 5’2” SW: 255/GW: 135, no co-morbidities. I am just getting started on my WLS journey. I just had my initial consult yesterday and am a little overwhelmed. I have been overweight for most of my adult life and just am ready to make a major change in my life. I never considered surgery until my spouse and I had a frank conversation about it. I’ve done quite a bit of research...maybe that’s why I’m so overwhelmed, haha. I went to see the doctor yesterday pretty sure I wanted to go with the sleeve, but he has mentioned that the RNY gastric bypass is better for keeping the weight off long-term. So I am now kind of stuck on what to choose. The bypass concerns me because of not being able to absorb as many nutrients and it being a surgery that involves more (like the small intestine connection). And with the sleeve, I’m afraid it won’t be a long-term solution/treatment. Also, the doctor talked about increased heartburn, which I also struggle with. I’ve heard of people gaining back the weight even if they have changed their lifestyle. Any advice you have for me just starting out, that would be great! How did you make this difficult choice? Thank you and excited to be here!
Starting a new journey
- Thread starter Ntlmill77
- Start date
Roseanne37
Member
Welcome to the group. I know it can be overwhelming at the beginning, but it is well worth it. At my initial consultation, I was given a list of insurance requirements. I had to have certain tests and consults with certain Doctors, such as a Cardiologist, Pulmonary Dr, Gastroenterologist, Psychological Evaluation, and 6 nutrition counseling visits. The next day, I made appointments with a couple of the doctors. My surgeon recommended the Gastric Sleeve for me. To make a long story short, I had a date for surgery in March but it was cancelled due the cancellation of elective surgeries, due to the pandemic. I had the surgery on August 17th and am very happy with how I feel and the results so far.. There are many people on this board that had the RNY that I'm sure can advise you better than me. BUT, remember that you have to be happy with your choice of surgery type, it makes the whole process and recovery go smoother. Good luck.
LisaLisa
Member
Hi Natalie-
I'm about four days pre-op but have absorbed a lot of information from this site. I made my choice for the sleeve because it is less invasive with no rearrangement of my innards. For some reason that makes me feel better about the process. Also, the long term maintenance of the bypass seemed harder--with the one aspect you listed--dealing with nutrient malabsorption being key. The most important thing to understand, and I think all here will agree, is this surgery is a weight loss tool and even though the immediate loss is easier (they say), the long term commitment to eating right and self awareness is the challenge. I know the rest of the gang will weigh in on their choice to give you more information, however, the choice is yours. This is a huge life change, but on that will give you a chance at a healthy long life. Glad you're here!.
I'm about four days pre-op but have absorbed a lot of information from this site. I made my choice for the sleeve because it is less invasive with no rearrangement of my innards. For some reason that makes me feel better about the process. Also, the long term maintenance of the bypass seemed harder--with the one aspect you listed--dealing with nutrient malabsorption being key. The most important thing to understand, and I think all here will agree, is this surgery is a weight loss tool and even though the immediate loss is easier (they say), the long term commitment to eating right and self awareness is the challenge. I know the rest of the gang will weigh in on their choice to give you more information, however, the choice is yours. This is a huge life change, but on that will give you a chance at a healthy long life. Glad you're here!.
WazzuCoug
Member
Either surgery can succeed or fail. It is your diet and choices after surgery that drive the success of either method. Statistically, there is a difference between RNY and VSG as far as regain goes. About 5%-10% of RNY patients will regain all of their weight in 5-10 years. In VSG patience, it's around 10%-20%. So, if you flip that around 80% or more of RNY and VSG patients successfully keep most of the weight off after surgery. It is natural to gain some back. Those are pretty damn good odds. Much better odds that dieting that many of us tried to do before surgery. Although the 95% of all diets fail stat is thrown around a lot, the actual stats are a bit more elusive, but long term success from going on fad diets has about the opposite long term success rate than WLS post-op success.
Choosing which surgery is right for you is mainly a conversation between you, your doctor and perhaps your bariatric psychologist. Issues with acid reflux are more common with VSG, but if you've never had acid reflux, it probably wouldn't be an issue (however, some people do still develop it post-surgery). I chose VSG because it was more appealing to me to keep my digestive tract in tacts vs bypassing the natural flow of things, but that was just me. Obviously the bypass has worked for thousands and thousands of people quite well. That was just me.
In the end, both surgeries can help you succeed, but both depend on life long changes in your relationship with food and exercise. Those are the things you have to commit to.
Choosing which surgery is right for you is mainly a conversation between you, your doctor and perhaps your bariatric psychologist. Issues with acid reflux are more common with VSG, but if you've never had acid reflux, it probably wouldn't be an issue (however, some people do still develop it post-surgery). I chose VSG because it was more appealing to me to keep my digestive tract in tacts vs bypassing the natural flow of things, but that was just me. Obviously the bypass has worked for thousands and thousands of people quite well. That was just me.
In the end, both surgeries can help you succeed, but both depend on life long changes in your relationship with food and exercise. Those are the things you have to commit to.
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3momchaos
Member
I started my journey in January, and I’m finally having the surgery on the 26th. I initially wanted the sleeve, but ultimately chose the gastric bypass. It was a decision I made with my medical team, but if I wanted to stick with the sleeve they would have supported that decision. I chose the bypass because of the weight I need to lose, my thyroid disease, long term goals, and I didn’t want a revision if the sleeve didn’t help me get to my goal weight or I have more acid reflux issues. This can be overwhelming in the beginning, and discussing the pros and cons of both surgeries will be important, but in the end, it’s the surgery that you feel more comfortable with and will help you achieve your goals.