RNYers and Sleevers

You are still very close to your goal. That's good and you sound like you are ahead of the game since you already know what the issue is. I am a snacker but not in the sense of most people. I love MEALS. LOL My snacks are baked potato and steak. I'm ALWAYS hungry and I don't know why. I was thinking about the removal of the hunger causing hormone thinking it might help me. How long have you been at your current weight and if you were to do it all over again, would you go RNY?

If sleeve had been available 6 years ago (and my insurance had covered it, of course) I would have chosen sleeve instead of RNY.  I chose the RNY instead of DS, even though I started at a BMI of 57, mostly because I was afraid of the extra malabsorption of the DS.  I new that the caloric malabsorption in the RNY would eventually fade, but my surgeon did not tell me how MUCH of it fades or that it fades within such a short preiod of time (18-24 months).  After that, you basically have just a strictive surgery anyway (just like the sleeve), but you STILL ave the vitamin malabsorption.I worry about what will happen when i get into my 60s, 70s, and 80s when the body's ability to absorb nutrients lessens just due to age. For me, trading a lifetime of vitamin malabsorption for 1-2 years of caloric malabsorption isn't a very good trade off if you have a choice. Also, after six years, i personally find that taking so many vitamins and having to get routine lab tests is a PITA.

Studies are showing slower weight loss initially with the sleeve, but very close numbers after 2 years, and after 5 years the difference in weight loss maintained varies so much from individual to individual within each surgery type that it was impossible to get any meaningful comparison between the two surgeries.  Meaning that how much of the weight loss you maintain is more a function of how you eat after the first few years than which surgery you had.

Lora

Hi ****rogirl,

Thank you for the very thoughtful response. I, too, have been considering these factors. I initially started out wanting the sleeve. My only concern with that is what if I need my stomach back and what problems could arise down the road that would require it. So far, none of the nurses and doctors have been able to answer that. I feel they are fighting to hold back from laughing at me when I ask. I always have been a bit of a worry wart though. LOL

I was concerned about that as well when I considered the DS instead of the RNY.    The most likely reason you would need your remnant stomach would be ulcers in the sleeve/pouch.  Stomach cancer is also a possibility, but it is fairly rare and they CAN fashion a pouch from your intestine if they have to (I shared a hospital room with a woman who had that done because of stomach cancer).

Lora

I had my VSG surgery on 9/24/2012.  I have been very pleased with the aftermath of my sleeve surgery.  I have lost 105 lbs. and had multiple benefits resulting from my surgery:  Weight lose was secondary to my overall health benefits; my diabetes was all but eradicated; my legs had weeping ulcers and have totally healed; my resting pulse dropped to 55 from 110; my energy jumped up dramatically; I now walk 5-7 miles a day; and, I continue to lose weight on a continual basis.

I have changed my lifestyle and expect, with the Lord's help, to see my grandchildren grow up and marry.  I hope to see great grandchildren in my future.  Lastly, without my VSG surgery I was close to losing my legs to amputation due to bad circulation of blood flow.  I can eat anything I want, I just can't eat very much - thank God.  Good luck and God bless with your choice and subsequent surgery.