I have been on the journey to the Sleeve since Feb. I have done every class, every insurance requirement, every physician requirement and finally, my EGD yesterday was my last hurdle. I have been focused on the sleeve and nothing but the sleeve. I have a BMI of 39 ish. I didn't want any rerouting of my body parts, no mal-absorption etc. I have an artificial shoulder with neck issues and love my Advil since Tylenol does absolutely nothing for me and you can't take Nsaid's with by-pass the sleeve was my only focus.
Yesterday my Sleeve world was turned upside down. Upon waking from my EGD I was told that the surgeon had to take 5-6 biopsies of my Esophagus and 1 in my Duodenum, (no explanation why) but that I should go home, research the by-pass and possible make an appointment to discuss the bypass with the surgeon's partner who is a world renowned robotic bypass surgeon. I work in a Dr's office, so I assume that they found something that looked abnormal, possible Barrett's Esophagus? I recently started re-flux medication after I regained weight because I typically get re-flux or nighttime heartburn when I'm heavier. 


I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooo disappointed, sad is actually the word that comes to mind. I am smart enough to know that if a surgeon I trust completely, feels the sleeve is a bad decision, then it apparently is a bad decision. Right now I can not even fathom a by-pass since I see so many people who look and feel less than optimum from the results. Is it healthy to accept a surgery you had no desire to have? or do I stay me and accept the fact that I am still on my own as I have been for my entire life. I would like to hear from people that have had the RNY , that were at the smaller BMI and live a relatively normal life. I see patients in the office that look "sickly" or unhealthy, have constant battles with their health like throwing up, dumping syndrome and just overall ill health. Those are the things I am afraid of. Thanks for your input.         

OK first let me say I hope all of your test come back normal and that what ever they found is easily treatable.

2ND, I had my RNY just over 14 months ago and I love it.  My labs are all normal, I do dump but for me that is a bonus because I have a wicked sweet tooth and knowing that I can't overdue helps me curb what I put in my mouth.  I eat what my family eats, I cook for health now and we all eat well, I have 2 teen age boys and a DH who had his RNY 1 year before mine.  We can go out to dinner at any restaurant and not have a problem.   I was 278lbs at 5'3 I am now just about 152-155 depends on the weather lol and I love my RNY. 

As for the Nsaid's I have had 6 knee surgeries and am looking at a replacement and I lived on aleeve and Advil pre surgery.  Now I use Lidicane patches and Tylenol arthritis. I do have some narcotics for when it is really bad, but those days are fewer now that I have lost so much weight. 

It is a choice only you can make if you want to change your surgery type.  You will have to be comfortable with it I believe attitude going in helps with outcome. 

May you find peace with what ever you decide.  Hugs

Wow, your post is actually worrying me a little.  My doctor told me that he has many patients who have had the RNY and the majority are in good health and that it is their habits that determine that.  I am presurgery too but never considered the sleeve because it is relatively a new surgery compared to RNY.  I hope to see some posts on this from people who have had either because I'd love to hear some opinions on this too. Good luck!

I hope your biopsies turn out ok!  I had the bypass at the end of May, and while I did have some initial complications, I've actually done remarkably well since then.  No dumping, no major food intolerances, and I've lost 40 pounds since the surgery.  For me, I actually have to work pretty hard to loose weight (in the 2nd month after my surgery I only lost 4 pounds), so I'm not concerned about one of those people who loose so much weight they look unhealthy.  Of course, some people have a completely different experience that me, some people have dumping, food intolerances, and loose weight very, very rapidly.  My understanding, however, it those people are in the minority.  But, you should do some research and talk to the bypass surgeon about your concerns.  I was very afraid of the bypass initially, I wanted to get the band, but my surgeon helped me to calm those fears and now I'm so, so glad I got the bypass.

 I work in a call center supporting technology products.  Believe me, after a few weeks taking calls about any product your get the idea that it is really a crappy product!  Then you have to remind yourself that you are talking to the less than 2% of the people who are having problems,and often the problem is an 'end user" issue - nothing wrong with the product at all.   I think the same applies to what's happening to you.  You work in the health care field and you are seeing the people with problems.  They are likely a very small percentage.  And some of the issues are "end user" - not to point the finger of blame.... but the causes of obesity are complex and some people don't have the resources to get at root cause and deal with those issues.

I'm very sorry about the big change you may be facing.  I'd surely be asking lots of questions, even if you loads of trust in this surgeon.  Give yourself the gift of time to get comfortable with this change if you can.  I know I would be very distressed in the same situation!

 ps.  I'm 21 mos out from RNY and very happy with the results and I am very, very healthy.  I do have pain issues that I've had to find another solution for, and after some false starts I've found a combination of medications that address my pain without making me feel like a slug.  8)

I too wanted to get the Sleeve, had my mind set on on it!  Did all kinds of research on it, everything.  That's what I knew I wanted!  I had read some about the RNY and the band... but I was all about the sleeve.  Ugh, I didn't want to re-arrange my guts!!! Then BAM! I found out that my insurance didn't cover the sleeve, it was still "too new"!!  I was VERY upset !!! To say the least.  I didn't have the money to pay for it, there was no way!

  So, I met with my surgeon again.  Talk to him, asked tons of questions, and left his office with the "I'll think about it"  State of mind.  Well I researched, read, went to support groups, met post RNYers, and researched some more.  For 5 months!!  Then I decided that I was going to have RNY.  Then took me 13 more months to go through all the requirements..

Well it been 12 weeks since my RNY and I have not thrown up at all, have not dumped, and feel absolutely normal!!  And I have not had a single complication. Sometimes I even forget that I had the surgery!  I could not be happier with my decision!!  Plus I have lost 45lbs

I also was in the "light weight" category when I started (BMI 40ish)  And I used to live off of Excedrin Migraine, Naprosyn, and Aleve but now I take Extra strength Tylenol or rarely a narcotic.

Good luck with your decision! 

~Chrissy

I went into surgery initially for the lapband, and they couldn't do it because I had such a large hiatal hernia. I then went for the sleeve, but was denied by insurance. Which left me with the RNY, which, like you, I had lots of doubts and fears about. But also like you, I trusted my surgeon.
I decided to go for it, and 13 months out I am so happy I did. I was a "lightweight" with 100lbs to lose, which I have, and I have been maintaining for 3 months. I did have 4 months of nausea after surgery, and some doubts and regrets at that stage.
I have arthritis and I'm worried about pain and NSAIDS in the future, but I guess I'll deal with that when I have to.
At this point, I have never felt healthier, and I am 60 years old. I jog 5 miles a day!I wear a size 2-4! My arthritis pain is gone, my GERD and Barrett's Esophagus are gone, my cholesterol is normal without meds, and my sleep apnea is gone.
It's a tough decision you're facing- I know. And I'm so glad I've made the decision I did. It hasn't been easy, and I am grateful I made the choice.
Good luck with yours- let us know what you decide!

what doctor do you see where all you see is sickly people from having RNY? I never see sick people at my doctors office, mainly happy, thinner, and healthier people.

I had mine done 8 months ago from the 15th and I honestly feel better than I did a year ago. When I qualified I was right at 40 BMI (after drinking a big glass of water). I was a little scared to do RNY at first. The thought of having my guts re-arranged seemed unnatural and scary so I wanted the lap-band. After talking to the surgeon he explained I would not be happy with the band because alot of patients were not happy with it so either RNY or the Sleeve was the way to go. I choose RNY because of the higher success rate and simply because the procedure has been around the longest.

Don't be scared and good luck with whatever you decide.

I am pre surgery, so i cant really tell you about the post op experience, but i do agree that when you work at a health care location you seem to feel like nothing works, medications fail, and everyone is sick. Well lets think about it, when you go to the doctor you only go when your sick... so if your doing perfect you don't go.  Your only seeing the small percentage that has complications, and i have been on all the forums and the sleeve has its complications as do all surgeries. rem you have to look for the bad and the good. Any surgery has a possibility of not working for you and I'm sure your surgeon explained that. I too chose the RNY because its been around longer, and has a higher long term success rate.