needing to make a decision....would like opinions please

 How did you chose RNY?  I am struggling with the decision between the RNY and gastric sleeve.  I just don't know how to make the final decision.  I am leaning towards the RNY but just looking for that one thing that is going to push me over the line.  I read about low blood sugar and worry, hear about dumping and I worry but I have to have the surgery.  I have to get my life back, I want to control food not have food control me!!!!  I am tired of living in this fat suit, I want my health back, I need help with this.  Any feedback would be welcome.  I hope to be having my surgery the end of NOV, so its getting close.


Melanie

I don't know much about the gastric sleeve.. I was deciding between the bypass and lapband.  I had the bypass 6 days ago and I am very happy with my decision.  There is a tough post op diet but it looks like down the road I will be able to eat pretty normal.

As far as the sugar goes...I need insulin in the hospital but I am okay now.. I think that is pretty normal.  I am a little nervous about dumping syndrome but at the same time I don't know anyone that has had that issue.

I haven't been hungry at all since surgery!!!!  

I wish I knew more about the gastric sleeve but the way I made my decision is to make pros and cons for both.  I looked at recovery time, expected results, possible complications and overall lifestyle changes required to name a few

I wish you the best!!!

I think I would have preferred VSG if my insurance would have covered it.  But they wouldn't and I had RNY and I am very happy with my surgery.

Your concerns about RNY are low blood sugar and dumping?  Maybe it will help you to know that only about 30% of folks dump and then usually only if they eat a good amount of sugar.  Like, I can handle at least 12 grams of sugar without dumping.  So I can still eat a cookie or half a brownie or something lke that when I want to.

The blood sugar issue is more common, I suspect, although I have not seen statistics on it.  A lot of people seem to develop reactive hypoglycemia a year or two post op, which is when the blood sugar drops too much too fast after eating.  It can usually be managed with diet, though.

Want to share why you're leaning towards RNY?

do you think RH occurs when people eat too many simple carbs or is there evidence to suggest it occurs in people who are basically compliant and not ingesting too many carbs.  I've wondered about this because of my prior blood sugar issues.

I'm sure there are other people that know a lot more about it than I do.  Even though I have it now I'm still in the process of learning about it.

From what I've read, most of the time, most of the people that experience it have the drop in blood sugar after eating something with carbs.  Now, how many carbs are "too many" seems to vary from person to person and even seems to vary in the same person from day to day.  Which I guess is kind of like some of us might tolerate a particular food one day and not tolerate it the next.  It can be frustrating.

My diet is very similar almost every day but sometimes I will experience low blood sugar an hour after eating a protein bar but it's the same bar I eat almost every day and many days I won't have the low blood sugar.  So I guess I would say, that if you are basically compliant and don't eat too many carbs, especially simple carbs, you would be less likely to have problems with RH but it might still happen.

I went to a seminar where the doctor drew pictures of each while explaining them.  I chose RNY because it seemed like the one most likely to work the best.

RNY is the best thing I have ever done.  I have lost 139lbs and feel great.  I have dumped a couple times. It isn't comfortable, but worth it.  I have had few complecations. 

Best of luck to you.

   Hey Melanie.    I had the gastric sleeve done in 07 and I did lose weight but I have recently gained back all that weight plus 15 lbs.    I am now looking into the RNY ,  depending on how scope turns out tomorrow.     I would suggest the RNY personally but thats just my opinion.     

 I am leaning towards RNY because of the lack of information available on the sleeve.  No evidence of long term weight loss etc.  I want this to be my answer to getting back my life.  I don't want to have to redo this again, and again...One time and my life begins. I am ready for the changes, have already begun those I just need to get this weight off and by myself is not working.

the surgery decision is a hard one.  I was convinced that i needed and wanted the banding.  However,  i never had true peace about that decision.  I was actually scheduled to be banded on 08/09/2011 through a different surgery center,  thank GOD that surgery fell through and i had to start over with a new center. I was heartbroke at the time but it was the best thing that could have happened.  I found out the band had a high failure and revision rate to RNY.  I also found out that it would not as effectively cure several of my health conditions, the main ones being diabetes and PCOS.  The RNY has very high numbers in resolution to these health problems, i also have high blood pressure, joint pain, migraines, etc.  
The new surgery center presented every surgical option fairly and infomatively, they did not push one over the other,  After discussions with the surgeon, researching here, and my bariatric coordinator,  i came to the decision to have RNY, which i did on check this date out as Karmatic, 9/09/2011 yes just one month later.   I had total peace from themoment  i made the decision to have the rny.   It has been 5 weeks post op and so far so good,  No real complications, i am having a lil trouble getting all the protein and fluids in.  But it is getting better each day. 
Does your surgery center offer a support group?  I would go and listen.  I would read theboards here,  the positive and the negative posts about each surgery.  Ask questions.  List your helath issues, family history etc,  eating habits,  and goals.  Then compare to the data collected from the surgery's and see which one fits.  Also pray about it , ask God to guide you.............
 

Agree with Renee2be. I spoke to alot of people inculding primary physician, diabetes specialist, and kidney doctor. The bariatric coordinator was really helpful. II have numerous medical conditions.They explained the differences so that they in their opinion would recomend the RNY. The RNY can be reversed if necessary as the remaining stomach portion remains in the body. The gastric sleeve, the portion of stomach that is bypassed, is totally removed from you. I do belong to a strong program support group. They look at having potential  surgery patients attend these meetings both before and after the surgery. I toally agree with attending support groups. If one is in your area, JOIN IT!