Why did you choose a RNY VS. VSG?

Someone else brought that up too.  Look how wonderfully you have done with your RNY!  You definitely made the right choice.  You look great!  thanks, Tri

I chose the RNY because I wanted the benefit of malabsorption early on.  I was 54 when I had surgery and wanted the opportunity for the best possible outcome.

My surgeon performs all.  He did mention with the VSG it is the 1st stage to the DS, and  if at a later date there was regain they could perform the second part of the surgery and easily convert to DS.  I did not qualify for the DS due to my BMI.  If my BMI had been significantly higher, I would have pushed for the DS no matter what.

I am very happy with the RNY.  Regardless of which surgery we choose, it all comes down to personal responsibility.

I have to agree with you.  I lost from over 47 bmi before surgery to a surgical weight of 35 so I was a light weight too.  You have been able to do so much better than me post op, but I keep trying  Tri

PS....I had horrible GERD with almost night vomiting.  RNY has completely eliminated that issue.  Like the other poster said, just having that resolved was worth it 100000 times over.

Intially my insurance wouldn't cover it, but at my last appt before surgery, it did. My surgeon, who does both surgeries told me tat my severe GERD would worsen with all WLS except rny. I chose to continue with the rny and it has improved my GERD. Now my 45 degree elevated bed is down to 15-20 degrees elevation. The only negative is that we can't take NSAIDs any more.

It seems as though GERD is really benefitial for RNY patients.  I get by with tylenol for my assorted aches and pains so I don't miss NSAIDs.  Congratulations on sleeping flat.  That must feel wonderful.  Tri

 I had RNY a couple months ago. The way my doctor explained it was people who have a lot of weight to lose should have RNY. It also has better stats when it comes to keeping the weight off. 30% or less of people will gain the weight back. It was higher with the other surgeries. Also you have a port under your skin for the rest of your life with band surgery. And it also requires many more return visits. 

I didn't want the lap band because I felt that getting rid of the ghrelin surges would make me less hungry.  I think a lot of times people have to pay for their fills out of pocket as well.  I would never have had the band either.  Tri

My weight gain was due to a metabolic problem, so the RNY was a better choice for me.  I also had severe GERD which was eliminated with the surgery.  Since my problem wasn't what or how much I was eating, I (and my doctor) didn't feel that just a restrictive procedure would give me the best result.  This was one of the same reasons that we dismissed Lap-Band as a choice.

As to why most insurances don't cover the sleeve is because as a stand-alone procedure it "hasn't been around long enough" to not be considered experimental.  While that's not necessarily true, it is true in the eyes of the insurance companies.  I understand that they are rapidly changing their minds and more and more are covering the sleeve now.

I'm extremely pleased with the choice I made.  And yes, I did have the option of all the surgeries to choose from and made an informed decision.

Sounds like you made the right choice.  GERD seems to be the best reason for a RNY over the others.  I am with you on the metabolic problems too.  I had PCOS with infertility meds and I have been a type 2 diabetic for most of my life. I was on an assortment of oral meds and insulins and byetta. I have been treated for diabetic retinopathy for 8 years and am blind in my left eye.  The hugest NSV was when my retinal doctor cleared my eye health to have my cataract replaced on Valentines day with a focusing lens.  I am off all diabetes meds since surgery and I guess my blood sugars have improved enough to let my retina heal over the past 5 plus years.  I don't think the sleeve was too readily available 6 years ago when I was looking into having surgery.  I wonder if the sleeve will help with diabetes control 5 years post op?  Tri