Bypass vs Sleeve

Hi everyone. I'm new to this site. I'm currently going through the WLS process and hoping to get the sleeve. But...my dietitian said I should opt for the bypass instead because when I was pregnant I had gestational diabetes and I'm currently pre-diabetic because my sugar levels are high. Apparently the bypass works wonders for diabetics. My question is: Even though I don't have diabetes, but have high blood sugar, can I still get the sleeve? I know the decision is up to me, but I don't want to have a VSG and develop diabetes afterwards. I want this WLS to be a success and I know it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thanks in advance! 

Oh...and if anyone has any input about the sleeve vs bypass that would be great too! I've done a lot of research and pretty much know all the pros and cons, but any personal experiences are welcomed! 

I had diabetes b4 the sleeve & I choose to go ahead with the vsg surgery. My diabetes is well controlled & with the weight loss I'm looking to get off the meds entirely. Getting diabetes or not isn't related to the kind of wls you choose but how you take care of yourself in regards to eating habits, at least it does for me. Try getting a handle on that by itself & choose the best wls for you, each one has its own pros & cons, just remember rny people can't take nsaids, & has malabsorbtion of certain vitamins for life so you must keep up with the vitamin supplements. Good luck!

There's another, third option, called the Duodenal Switch. The DS has the same stomach as the Sleeve, plus an intestinal bypass similar to, but more effective than, that of the RNY. It also has the very best long-term, maintained weight-loss stats, AND the best stats for resolving or preventing diabetes and high cholesterol.

Understand ALL your options before you make your final decision. Visit the various surgical boards, including the Revision board.

Unfortunately my insurance doesn't cover the DS. And don't you need a high BMI to qualify for this? My BMI is 37.9 

Your insurance company can quite likely be FORCED to cover the DS for you, if you can show a sound medical reason why it would be better for you than the other procedures. And no, anyone who qualifies for WLS qualifies for the DS. I know many people who've gotten it with a BMI around 35.

Do you have a medical condition for which you need NSAIDs? Arthritis, for instance? What about your family history?

Do you lose weight when you eat less?  For some people, it's as simple as that, and procedures like the sleeve are perfect.  WLS definitely isn't one-size-fits-all, so its important to identify these details.   Others need the metabolic kick that the bypass gives.  If sugar is a real concern, the DS has the highest permanent resolution rate of type 2 diabetes.  NSAIDS are an important issue to concern, for they can be taken with the DS and sleeve, but not the bypass.  Those with bad reflux may be completely miserable with the sleeve (but the bypass seems to cure for some).  It pays to do some hard thought and homework, and be sure to add the DS to the comparisons.  The extra vitamins needed for RNY and DS are no big deal - just new habits.

No one ever mentioned that to me. No surgeons, no one! That makes a HUGE difference on deciding between surgeries. Not once has that come up in my support groups, consult with the surgeon, the nutritionist, or talking with other people about WLS. But it makes complete sense. Thank you!

I was referring to "if you diet and exercise and you can lose weight therefore the sleeve would be a good option" compared to "if you can't lose weight on your own by diet and exercise and need that extra metabolic boost the RNY gives you."

It's a big issue that has an even bigger impact on success.  Too many people focus on the convenience or inconvenience of living with a procedure, or how invasive or not it is, instead of chances for success.  Going through a surgery without getting the desired result is pretty darned invasive, IMO.

Do a bunch of research - yes, RNY can really drop your blood sugar - right into the coma and death zone.  I ended up with severe reactive hypoglycemia -- I've now been diagnosed with nesidioblastosis (insulin producing tumors of the pancreas).  I'm working toward either getting insurance that will cover a revision to a sleeve (written as medically necessary by my surgeon) or finding a way to self-pay.  Greens and protein is my diet.  Anything else, and I'm in trouble.  Given my complication, I would not recommend an RNY to anyone.