decision

 Hi all, I have been lurking for a while and just decided to join. My question is how did you decide the sleeve vs. the RNY???

 Malabsorption and the complete reworking of my digestive system was just not an option for me. The fact I would be a slave to medications, some I can take and others I could never take again, for my WHOLE LIFE, was a huge no for me. Wouldn't of had surgery at all if my only option was the RNY.

Sleeve gives me the results I want without all of the negative health side effects. However, I also only had about 140 pounds to lose. It is my understanding that the RNY is more for the super morbidly obese with several hundred pounds to lose. It's going to come down to what kind of committment you are willing to make. Any WLS comes with life altering consequenecs, but the RNY definitely has a lot more long term remifications. 

 Thank you! I do have concerns about the malabsorption issues and I really only need to lose around 100 lbs. BUT, I want to be totally successful and everything I have read and long term studies show the success with the RNY. I also don't know anyone with sleeve. I do know successfu people with RNY I am not diabetic either.

 I'm sure a lot of those statistics are also due to the fact that RNY is more widely reported on. The sleeve is the first half of the DS surgery. It is only within the last 10 years that it has been used as it's own surgery for weight loss. There are many people here who are 2-10 years post op that have incredible success keeping the weight off! No matter what surgery you choose, it requires a complete lifestyle change in the way you choose your food and your exercise. I am very glad I had the sleeve done and because of the way I altered my life to make this work, I know I will be another success story in the long term.

Hi, I just got my sleeve Feb 24th so tomorrow is 1 week!  I will tell you how I decided cause my doctor also asked me this question, he told me he was always interested in why someone in the medical field chose one over the other, and I am an RN so anyhow here's why I decided what I did.  The sleeve removes "the excess" portion of your stomach, almost all of it really but that's it.  The RNY requires staples and sutures to create a pouch and then reroutes the intestines and sews them in their new spot.  To me this means there is a little more surgery to be done with the RNY, the more cutting and sewing and rerouting the more surgery and the more you do the more chance for complications.  Now I had also heard from my doctors office the difference in weight loss is minimal if any, and that more long term studies are showing the results are about the same.  Also with the sleeve there is much less chance of dumping and malnutrion, which are common problems with the RNY. So, choice made.  I am VSG all the way!!!

 I am also an RN so I know(like you, probably way to much!) the differences. I just worry about the long term. The long term studies show success with the RNY. Thanks so much for your input! How are you feeling? Detailsplease!

You need to check out the latest reports (articles) presented by the ASMBS. I read a great article (a link was posted here on OH a month or so ago) written by a long time WLSurgeon. His take was that the preservation of the pyloric valve with the VSG was going to prove to offer far greater long term success. He went so far as to say that the RNY often fails patients because the stoma in the pouch leading to the intestine enlarges to such a degree by year two, allowing food to pass through the stomach within minutes, that patients cannot stay satisfied long enough and resort to grazing to feel satisfied which, of course,  results in weight gain. Long and short of the article is that the author believed that the VSG was going to replace the RNY as the "gold standard" of WLS within the next two years.

All that said, I chose the sleeve because I wanted to be able to take meds should the need arise later in life (steroids, NSAIDS, etc...), having my guts rerouted icked me out, and I know far too many people for whom the RNY did not offer long term success. I loved the idea that my stomach was just going to be super duper small! And believe me, it is!

I'm an RN three! lol(too)... From, all my medical knowledge, I also know studies can be very biased... I deff didn't want the mal-absorption and from the research I've done, if I put my tool to good use I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL! And judging by the numerous testimonies I've seen on here, it is more than possible! Good luck on ur journey, whatever u decide!

 OK then. I love all of the info I get. Hereis my story- I said to my husband a year ago that if I didn't do something I would die early. So, I signed up for a fitness center and for personal training 2X week. You all should know that I have thought I was fat my whole life even at 120 lbs. (I am 5'1") Yeah I know. so , yo yo my whole life until now I am a whopping 228!! 8 months of personal training and not 1 fricken pound lost! In fact gained 5! Lost 30+ inches however.

I am done!!  Since I made my decision it has been whirlwind. Information session 1 week ago. Today met with dietician, nurse and psychologist, Can't get into Doctor until the 21st. 

Know what I have to do, just which surgery?

I still working on making my decision as well.  I thought at first RNY but after visiting with my surgeon and I will go with the sleeve.  My BMI is 35 with diabetes.  I have 50LBs to lose to meet my goal.  I was actually surprised I qualified.  I have been over weight since 4th grade and on diets since age 12. My highest weight has been 223lb.  I lost some when I found out I had diabetes.  I have kept most of it off.  So now I am 197.  I know however, with my history I will gain again.  Then lose again etc.      My sister had RYN 2 years ago.  Very successful.  I friend just had sleeve and is doing amazingly.  I have Psych and dietitian visit in a week and then my surgery will be last week in June.  He would do it sooner, but in May I am having a hysterectomy.  I felt since I am meeting out of pocket max with that surgery that this was the year to consider weight loss surgery for financial reasons.  I have been steadily researching and reading on this site.  Sleeve seems to be the best choice and a healthier choice for me.  I wish you lots of luck as you make your decision.