I am researching and questioning the right surgery for me, and after a lot of research I am leaning towards the sleeve. I had my OTN which is my 15 minute appointment with my Surgeon already, but after attempting to go off my NSAIDS and realizing how much pain I am now in I want to reconsider the RNY discussed at my OTN appointment. My surgery is not until August, and I will see my surgeon again in July for my pre-op appointment.... Should I call his office and let them know I am questioning my choice, or wait and talk to him at my pre-op appointment?

On another note, what is the difference in the hospital stay, and recovery for the sleeve? Do you still have the food stages? What about vitamins post op?

I appriciate any input.......

My surgeon and I came to a mutual decision that VSG was best for me at the "meet the surgeon" appointment. I'm not sure what OTN is, so I can't really answer your question for you specifically, but if you have yet to meet with the surgeon and sign the papers for the surgery, then I would wait until that appointment and revisit the issue with NSAIDS at that time.

As with RNY, the recovery time for VSG patients depends on the patient themselves. There is no standard period for recovery. I took 3 weeks before I could even walk upright, others take 2-3 days before feeling ready to return to work. It really is not predictable.

Your food plan will be exactly the same as with the RNYers, unless you have a food allergy and then there would be modifications.

Your vitamin intake will also be the same as with RNYers and you should have already been given the information sheets for both the suggested meal plans as well as required vitamins.

Good luck!

Actually our centre only gave us information about the RNY not the sleeve. And the OTN is Ontario Telehealth Network, I met with the Surgeon over video conference. I have not signed any consents.

The reason all of the information is about RNY only is because it's considered the gold standard by OHIP. It is very difficult to convince OHIP to pay for a VSG. It's not considered a choice, unless you want to pay for it. However they will pay for it if it is deemed medically necessary or you have a qualifying BMI. Since you are far enough away to need video conference, then perhaps you can try to arrange a tele-meeting with the surgeon again and discuss your concerns. Be armed with knowledge. Good luck!

What's the qualifying BMI? I was all for the RNY until I had to go off my NSAIDS for my plantar fasciitis.... But now I can bearly walk. I am not sure I can live without NSAIDS forever. Thanks for your advice.

I believe the qualifying BMI is 60+. I've had plantar fasciitis, so I know it won't qualify you for VSG as it will go away with weight loss and proper shoes. As I've said, see if you can talk to your surgeon again.

after surgery I bet your plantar facitis dissipates. I have such bad ankles (AND EXTREMELY flat feet) that for 8 months I could barely walk. I went to physio, got new custom orthotics, xrays, etc etc.. I figured out how to live with it by taking a full dose of Tylenol AND Advil every 4 hours and parking close to mall doors, not walking a lot etc. When I would have a flare up I knew how to relieve it over 3 days (raise my feet as often as I could and ice them often)

I am only down 70 pounds so far and I no longer have ankle pain. I wear converse Chuck Taylors as opposed to my new balances with the orthotics in them. I no longer take even Tylenol for the pain. Never in my adult life was I able to wear flat footed shoes without some degree of pain.

Have faith! I am pretty sure you too will feel much better once the pounds start melting away!

Not sure if you have had the gastric bypass class yet or not but at mine, the dietitian told us that we are to follow the same diet and vitamin regime as those with RNY.  I plan on tweaking my vitamins to my own needs after speaking with my GP.  Your stay in the hospital is the same regardless of surgery.  The need for nsaids likely won't be enough to convince a surgeon to do VSG over RNY but you can ask at your appointment.  My surgeon told me VSG from the get go but for medical reasons.  Sudbury pharmacist even discourages nsaids with the sleeve and told me when I met with him that he doesn't recommend them with either surgery.  St. Joe's surgeons seem to be a bit more flexible when we ask for one over the other so I'd definitely ask and have your reasons ready.

I had a medical condition and knew from the beginning that I could only have a VSG.

As everyone else has said there is no different in the post op diets for VSG and RNY everything is the same.

All centres focus on RNY because it is OHIP gold standard. To qualify for VSG you need to have medical reason and taking NSAIDS  for Plantar Fascilites is not a reason as this will resolve as my husband had this and once he lost weigh and wore the proper support in his shoe it went away.

You can call them back and ask nothing wrong with trying.

The Bmi qualification for the VSG is the same as for the RNY. However you need medical justification for a VSG like the need for NSaids, etc. Does your surgeon do VSG?  If not you may have to ask for a transfer to a bariatric center like Hamilton that does VSG. No need to wait for your surgeon's appointment in that case. Find out if he does VSG first.

Do a lot of research and write down the reasons why you need to have a VSG versus a RNY.  That is what I did.  I need to take aspirin daily and Nsaids daily plus had other reasons that I don't want to go into here.  You must be well informed and firm with your choice and you must be working with a surgeon who has done VSG and supports them. Best wishes.