RNY vs. VSG

 I totally agree about dumping. At my support group, many of us chose RNY specifically because of the ability of sugar to cause dumping. My surgeon (who performs all three surgeries) asked me the kinds of food I ate prior to surgery and based on my high intake of carbs, thought RNY was a better option. You know the best way to not find out if you are part of the 70% who don't dump? Don't experiment w sugar. There are some who get VSG specifically to avoid dumping. Which, in my opinion, seems to be saying that you intend to eat sugar postop. 
As far as arthritis, part of the reason I had surgery was my orthopedist said I needed to take weight off of my kness. Arthritis is such a broad diagnosis and it might be a good idea to speak to someone about your severity and whether weight loss itself could be of major benefit and help eliminate meds. I noticed a change in my knees quickly and, at one month out, have started C25k training. And I was a daily NSAID user.
This is such a personal choice and you cannot really take someone else's experience as gospel. Even surgeons don't agree on everything. Just do as much research as you can, take what you want of different people's opinions (because that is all they are) and leave the rest!
Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

Angela

I was worried about the ibuprofen thing since I was 355 lbs, 5'1"  and stood on concrete all day and suffered terribly from arthritis.  I haven't had a problem with not taking the ibuprofen.  If I feel arthritis pain, I will take an ultram instead and with the weight loss coming along, the ultram has sufficed.  Good Luck.  I am so thankful I had the RNY.

I will say for the last time, she asked for what people's reasons were for choosing and that was one of mine. Not the only one but one. I clearly said choose what is best for her. At this stage we have all been taught the basics and then some and are capable of making our own decisions. My post was in NO WAY pushing or leading in any direction. Enough said.