Contemplating Sleeve

So, I went to my surgery consult last Thursday all prepared to get the go-ahead for RNY but the surgeon suggested VSG.  I have been trying to do some research.  I am a little worried and stressing myself out about what to expect from the VSG.  I like the fact that I can still eat all the foods I eat now but just not as much at a time.  On the other hand, that scares the crap out of me.  I want to know that it is possible to lose as much weight with the sleeve as it is with RNY.  If I am going to change my life irreparably I want to make the right decision and even though this is a shallow statement - if I change my body and my life for the rest of my life I don't necessarily want the option to be fat again.  Any words of wisdom or pros/cons would be greatly appreciated, please!?

TIA!

-ali

I think it is totally possible to loose as much with the sleeve - and to keep it off (possible easier to keep it off since we keep our pyloric valve).   There are a bunch of people on here who have lost 100, 200, 300 and more pounds with their sleeve.  It is possible to "cheat" with the sleeve - and when that happens people can gain back weight - but that is true with any WLS.  The most common response when vets are asked if they regret anything about getting sleeved is they only wish they got it sooner!

I suggest reading a bunch of posts - there is a ton of valuable info on this forum!

Good luck making your decision!

 Research all options carefully. You can regain with any of the surgeries..you have to do your part to get it off and keep it off.  You have to be willing to change your eating habits and ramp up the exercise. I liked the sleeve the best because I wasn't crazy about any rerouting of my insides. To me eating with the sleeve is very natural way of eating...I just eat quite a bit less. But, I do watch to be sure I get in protein first. I could easily regain if I decided to eat a lot of ice cream, chips, cake etc. I work on dense proteins and fruits and veggies. I've heard that the statistics of regain with the RNY are just about the same (or even highter) than with the sleeve. Read the forums and research, research, and research to find what you feel is the best option for you and then commit to it 110%! 

you are definitely doing the right, smart thing to research both procedures and learn what is best for you..

i went to bariatric support meeting this evening and they were talking about how the malabsorption from gastric bypass pretty much goes away after a year to 2 years, the body adjusts and the second part of the small intestine starts absorbing the calories again..so to me it would seem easier to gain the weight back and indeed there were several rny'ers there tonight saying how hard it is for them now..

and though you can fill your sleeve with junk and it can strech to hold 8oz eventually, i dont think i will ever be able to eat like i did before..

so the main thing to focus on is whatever you chose, commit to making the lifestyle and food changes and sticking with them because you can always put junk in your new body..

i love being able to eat fairly normally, not get sick if i chose to have sugar on occassion, and have forced moderation..this was the best choice for me but you have to decide what is best for you..

my sweet craving has really gone away, as has my carb addicition, maybe thats temporary but im satisfied with less sweets and carbs which could have never happened without my VSG.

just my 2 cents.

Go Sleeve!

This is my standard reply when this question pops up every couple of days. I won't try to sway anyone one way or another, but I'll give you my reasons for choosing VSG over RNY for my revision from the band. You can also check out the revision, failure, and food issue forums on here to get an idea of some long term RNY patients. For me, it was never an option. The cons outweighed the pros.

The VSG was my 2nd, and final WLS. I could have easily had RNY, but I fought to have VSG as my revision from the band. Some factors I considered in deciding on VSG. The pouch that RNY offers is similar to the pouch with the band. Least to say, a pouch sucks, I love having a normal tummy, just less capacity and still fully functioning.

1) No blind stomach left behind that can be difficult to scope yet can still get ulcers and cancer.

2) 2 years max on calorie/carb/sugar malabsorption, but a lifetime of vitamin/nutrient malabsorption. This process is called adaptation, and it happens with intestinal bypass surgeries.

3) I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. I'm pretty fond of my pyloric valve and the sleeve let me keep it. I love having a normal functioning stomach, just smaller in capacity.

4) Regain stats and #of RNY patients seeking revision truly scared the poop out of me, check out the revision forum on here. . . Go back several pages and see just how many RNY patients are looking to revise due to weight regain. ERNY and Band over Bypass to get back some malabsorption and/or restriction

5) I have too many friends in real life that struggle with vitamin deficiencies post-RNY, and most of them either never got to goal, or have gained back a significant amount of their weight.

6) The long term complications with RNY were too numerous for my comfort level. Pouch or stoma dilation, strictures, vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, ulcers,

7) I researched gastrectomies that had been performed for stomach cancer and ulcer patients, and found comfort in the long term results and minimal complications of patients that had lost most or all of their stomachs had dealt with over several years.

8) I was a volume eater, and knew a restrictive only procedure would work for me. That was my thought process when I got the band, and I thought I could beat the odds on complications. Sadly, the band only lasted 8 months before I had to revise.

9) I did not want to have food or medication restrictions. I chose WLS to have a "normal" life, and I think it's normal to eat a couple of cookies. With RNY, I wasn't willing to go through the possibility of dumping if I wanted to have a couple of cookies, or a slice of cake on occasion. The big scare for me is medication restrictions for life. NSAIDS and steroids are a NO GO for life with a RNY pouch. I realize that I may never be diagnosed with a condition or disease that requires steroid use, but it is possible. I want the best long term results with the least amount of complications. Malabsorption is not anything to play with in my mind, and I was not willing to take that risk.

I lost all my weight in my ticker with the exception of 7lbs with the sleeve, and I did it in 10.5 months. The 115lbs fell off the first 6.5 months, and then the rest I lost as I was getting into maintenance over another 4 months.. It's been a fabulous journey, and I'm easily maintaining with zero issues for nearly a year at this point. I want to add that every WLS regardless of your choice will require discipline. Only a percentage of RNY patients dump on sugar/fat, pouches and stomas stretch, then you have the medication restrictions. I'm not trying to convince you, but these were my concerns when I knew I had to revise from the band. I started at 263 the day of my revision and today I weigh 127lbs. I bounce on the scale 125-130lbs any given week, and I couldn't be more ecstatic!

Best wishes in your research!


P.S. I wrote this before pregnancy. And, just as an update, I'm 26 weeks pregnant and thriving. The baby is weighing around 8oz heavier and is measuring right on target for length. I have zero issues consuming enough calories/protein/carbs to support my body and another developing human. My labs have remained stellar throughout the pregnancy, and life is pretty good. I am over 2 years out at this point, and couldn't be happier with my decision to have VSG over RNY for my revision. It's been an amazing journey.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone!  This is just what I needed.  Thank you, USAF Wife - I hadn't got to the point in my research about steroids being a no-go for RNY.  If my insurance will pay for sleeve it is definitely the way I am going!  I have moderate to severe asthma (weight loss will probably help a great deal) and if I have to be on steroids at any point in time I want to be able to! 

-ali