VSG OR RNY?????????????

I strongly disagree with those who say to get a sleeve over the DS just because you're young and shouldn't be dealing with malabsorbtion. I would say quite the contrary, you are young, so why not choose a procedure that is meant to last a lifetime. I am 23 and was recently revised from the fobi pouch, a variation of the RNY, to the DS. I comply with all supplements, and I am living a more normal life than you can with any other surgery. I have little restriction, but a great deal of malabsorbtion to keep the weight off. I do not eat much different from a normal weight non op, In fact, I actually require more calories than a non op. You can't beat that.

If you want a normal life after WLS, consider the DS.

I believe the Sleeve, as a stand-alone WLS, has been around for about seven years now---which means that the five-year studies are just now being published. (The lag-time is for compiling and analysing the data.) At the five-year mark, the VSG seems to be about as effective as the RNY, AND it preserves normal stomach function.

The big question is---how's YOUR metabolism? Have you still got a good metabolism, or has yours been wrecked by 1) genetics, or )2 years of dieting? How high is your BMI? How readily do you lose weight, when you really stick to a low-calorie diet? And---do you have co-morbs?

If your metabolism is shot, then you NEED malabsorption. The RNY causes malabsorption---permanently for vitamins and minerals, temporarily for calories. The DS, on the other hand, causes permanent malabsorption of both vitamins AND calories. (This is why the DS has the very BEST long-term, maintained weight-loss stats, and the best stats for resolution or prevention of co-morbs like diabetes and high cholesterol.)

I'm like Elizabeth---there are really only two choices, the VSG or the DS. (In rare cases, such as when GERD is a major factor, I would also recommend the RNY---but not for most folks.) I strongly urge you to researc both the VSG and the DS thoroughly before making ANY WLS decision. It's much easier to change surgeons NOW than to undergo a revision later.

Psst. My surgeon has been doing them since 2001. So 10 years...

I learn something every day...(*grin*)

Do you know if many others were doing them that long ago?

Everyone is going to defend there own type of surgery, well, because we're human. Whenever anyone asks about what kind of surgery they should have, I think they need to stay on these boards for awhile and learn. Go on to each forum and check it out and read. In my opinion I would go with VSG or DS because you have most of your stomach intact and have seen lots of RNYers with hypoglycemia the longer out they are. DS is a good surgery but you do have to remember those meds and if your forgetful a lot like me I think I would end up in the hospital lol. VSG is the first step to a DS so if the VSG doesn't work for you and your insurance will cover to revise to DS then you can.
This is my opinion and just like everyone else they are a dime a dozen.

Actually, I don't really see anyone here in this thread "defending" their own type of surgery - I see RNYers and DSers both speaking quite highly of the VSG. Seems to me that when the options are VSG or RNY, most folks, regardless of which procedure they HAD, recommend the VSG. I see some people mentioning the DS, but no one really "defending" it, just offering information.

What I was saying is that people are going to defend and a previous poster did I did read all the post I'm very thorough when I read. But like I did say opinions are a dime a doze.

Dealing with RNY and the side effects... the longer you have it - the worse my Reactive hypoglycemia becomes. I would never do the RNY again.  But sleeve - VSG -= most likely. Unfortunately that was not my option before my WLS.
if you are young and consider anything - the VSG may be it.  It may allow the most "normal" life pot op. Restrictions and not malabsorbtion.

 Choose a surgery that preserves your pyloric valve.  If you don't know what that is and how important it is to have around, you need to do more research.

Take Care
~GG

FWIW, I could have gotten an RNY (via govt health care) and I chose to self pay and do the DS.   I'm anal about reading ALL info... do your homework and fully understand what each surg can and CAN'T do for you.