Why did you choose RNY over any other WLS surgery option?
This gets asked a lot so I just copied one of my previous answers.
Complicated question for me because I did have a sleeve, as part of my first WLS. My surgeon made it way too large and I never had any restriction. This was back in 2002 when they weren't doing the sleeve as a stand alone procedure and they didn't use bougies to measure. My first surgery was very malabsorptive and my surgeon left the sleeve too large to make up for the malabsorption.
I thought about having the sleeve made smaller but in the end I wanted as much restriction as possible because I had such hunger issues the first time. And to be honest, I didn't trust my surgeon to make it small enough.
In hindsight I think I would have done pretty good with a very small sleeve. I have no problem losing weight and now I am trying to regain some. I had no metabolic issues, though. That may have made me want a different surgery. I have heard, however, that some metabolic issues can be resolved just with weight loss.
How is your weight loss when you try to go on a low calorie diet? If your body holds onto every calorie then you may want more then just restriction. If you are able to lose with just cutting back alone then you may do well with a sleeve, although you will lose slower. You have little enough to lose that it may be all you need.
I do want to add that I am not sorry that I have a RNY pouch. I do dump and it's very unpleasant but it does keep me on my toes and helps me avoid things I shouldn't eat. The problem is when I dump on things that I don't expect to. I also don't miss NSAIDs because I never used them much and actually preferred Tylenol. The only NSAID I ever used was Aleve, which really worked on my headaches but ironically I haven't had a headache like that since my surgery.
Complicated question for me because I did have a sleeve, as part of my first WLS. My surgeon made it way too large and I never had any restriction. This was back in 2002 when they weren't doing the sleeve as a stand alone procedure and they didn't use bougies to measure. My first surgery was very malabsorptive and my surgeon left the sleeve too large to make up for the malabsorption.
I thought about having the sleeve made smaller but in the end I wanted as much restriction as possible because I had such hunger issues the first time. And to be honest, I didn't trust my surgeon to make it small enough.
In hindsight I think I would have done pretty good with a very small sleeve. I have no problem losing weight and now I am trying to regain some. I had no metabolic issues, though. That may have made me want a different surgery. I have heard, however, that some metabolic issues can be resolved just with weight loss.
How is your weight loss when you try to go on a low calorie diet? If your body holds onto every calorie then you may want more then just restriction. If you are able to lose with just cutting back alone then you may do well with a sleeve, although you will lose slower. You have little enough to lose that it may be all you need.
I do want to add that I am not sorry that I have a RNY pouch. I do dump and it's very unpleasant but it does keep me on my toes and helps me avoid things I shouldn't eat. The problem is when I dump on things that I don't expect to. I also don't miss NSAIDs because I never used them much and actually preferred Tylenol. The only NSAID I ever used was Aleve, which really worked on my headaches but ironically I haven't had a headache like that since my surgery.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
Insurance would not cover the sleeve and in hind site I am super glad. The RNY worked perfect with few complications, and the small complication I am having I did to myself by not being on top of my vitamins in the beginning.
Like Kelley, I wouldn't get the band if someone paid me to do it.
I go to support group with RNY and Sleeves and the RNY seem to be more successful then the sleeves. No one in my support group have reached goal with the sleeve, which is NOT to say that you can't. Also, the ones at support group who stand up and say they have regained a bunch of weight are always sleeve people too.
I am NOT PUTTING THE SLEEVE down (before anyone jumps all over me) this is IMHO only, from what I have experienced personally. I am sure there are many people who are very happy and thin from the sleeve, I just have not meet one.
Like Kelley, I wouldn't get the band if someone paid me to do it.
I go to support group with RNY and Sleeves and the RNY seem to be more successful then the sleeves. No one in my support group have reached goal with the sleeve, which is NOT to say that you can't. Also, the ones at support group who stand up and say they have regained a bunch of weight are always sleeve people too.
I am NOT PUTTING THE SLEEVE down (before anyone jumps all over me) this is IMHO only, from what I have experienced personally. I am sure there are many people who are very happy and thin from the sleeve, I just have not meet one.
The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. ~ Ayn Rand
I have chosen the RNY because of my diabetes. I was told that my chances of eliminating my diabetes is better with the RNY. The weight loss in my case is a plus. I weigh 240 pounds and have been over weight all my life. Also I feel like some others, with the RNY you can't go wrong. I have two at work who have had the RNY and look good one to two later. There are three who have had the sleeve and weight lost for one of them is exception but the other two it seems rather slow. I am weak so I know the RNY will be the best for me. My surgery is April 3, 2012. Wishing you the best!
Just wanted to respond to you about saying you are weak as a reason for choosing the RNY.
No WLS is going to do the work for you. It is good for getting the weight off in the first place, but even that part will take hard work. Most people do not dump. And once you are past the honeymoon period, other than only being able to eat small amounts at a time, you are on your own with diet and exercise being required.
My suggestion is to start working on new behaviors now- you are going to need them.
No WLS is going to do the work for you. It is good for getting the weight off in the first place, but even that part will take hard work. Most people do not dump. And once you are past the honeymoon period, other than only being able to eat small amounts at a time, you are on your own with diet and exercise being required.
My suggestion is to start working on new behaviors now- you are going to need them.
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach
"Support fosters your growth. If you are getting enough of the right support, you will experience a major transformation in yourself. You will discover a sense of empowerment and peace you have never before experienced. You will come to believe you can overcome your challenges and find some joy in this world." Katie Jay
I originally wanted the lapband but had a huge hiatal hernia and severe GERD as well as Barrett's Esophogas. Then I wanted the sleeve, but insurance wouldn't pay for it. I knew I didn't want a DS because I was a lightweight.
So I ended up with my RNY, which I am very grateful for. No more GERD, and my Barrett's is not progressing.
The downside for me is no NSAIDS for my arthritis.
So I ended up with my RNY, which I am very grateful for. No more GERD, and my Barrett's is not progressing.
The downside for me is no NSAIDS for my arthritis.
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach
"Support fosters your growth. If you are getting enough of the right support, you will experience a major transformation in yourself. You will discover a sense of empowerment and peace you have never before experienced. You will come to believe you can overcome your challenges and find some joy in this world." Katie Jay
When I had my surgery ten years ago I had two options in my geographic area: RNY and BPD with DS. I did a lot of reading and the BPD with DS seemed to have a lot of post op issues AND it seemed to me to be taking a sledge hammer to an ant (I was considered a "light weight" having ONLY about 120 excess pounds to lose). I did very well with my RNY; have no chronic issues (vitamin deficiencies, reactive hypoglycemia, etc.) and do pretty well maintaining my goal weight when I am consistent in my behaviours and remain connected to my support groups (that is, when I am not in denial about having had WLS and allowing myself to eat whatever I want in whatever quantities I want....like the 1/2 bag of candy cane kisses I ate EVERY day between Thanksgiving and NY last year!!) When I HAVE experienced a regain I have been able to get it under control and back to my goal by getting back to the basics of my eating plan: protein first, only whole grain carbs with fruits and veg, and healthy fats; indulgences are on a WEEKLY basis rather than DAILY basis; and I try to be active although the exercise is probably the least consistent thing I do.
Bottom line: I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, I've had some complications that required surgical correction but in hindsight even THOSE seem worth it. I am healthy; I am relatively fit and active; I am no longer limited because of my size.
Bottom line: I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, I've had some complications that required surgical correction but in hindsight even THOSE seem worth it. I am healthy; I am relatively fit and active; I am no longer limited because of my size.
Marilyn (now in NM)
RNY 10/2/01
262(HW)/150-155(GW)/159(CW)
(updated March 2012)
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