Stalls in weight loss with RNY?

You are incorrect about the pouch versus sleeve stretching.  Both are unlikely to stretch because both are formed from the upper, lesser curvature (least stretchy) portion of the stomach.   Also, the MAJORITY Of RNYers do NOT dump, so in most cases there is nothing except willpower (and perhaps the possibility of getting sick) to keep people "in check" and people should not have RNY with the expectation that they will have dumping.

I don't know where the 45% statistic came from, but i ave never seen that anywhere in any of the research I have had to do on the two surgeries. There is NOTHING inherent in the sleeve that would cause them to regain more than someone with a RNY.  if anything, it is the other way around because some RNYers get used to eating a certain amount while they still have the caloric malabsoprtion and then when they lose that malabsorption, and continue eating the same way, the weight begins to creep back on.

Is expected that you would ave lost more AT THIS POINT than your friends who had the sleeve.  You are the benefit of caloric malabsorption for up to 2 years that they don't have.  A number of studies show, however, that at 2 years out the gap has closed and that, at 5 years out, the weight loss maintained by the two groups is very similar.

Lora

First, I want to commend you for doing your research - very smart! With so much weight to lose, have you considered the DS? You may want to look into it. Also, stalls will occur no matter which surgery you go with. They are perfectly normal, and not a sign of an inferior surgery choice. This weight loss journey is for life, and it is not a sprint - remember, it did not take a short time to gain the weight, so don't expect miracles in the speed department. No matter which surgery you choose, if you follow the rules, and work on developing healthy habits for life, you will be successful! Best of luck to you!

Hi TXKashmir-

Thanks for you note! I have considered the DS however it's not widely practiced and all the centers that do are out of network. Plus I LOVE my surgical team and PCP. So it's RNY or VSG for me. 

What I'm considering because I have so much to loose is that I would like to have less stalls up front so that I can get to a place where my body can take exercising. My ankles, knees and lower back hurt so much that my stamina is pretty pathetic at this point I'm looking forward to getting leaner so that I can do more physically. It worries me that I see so many VSG'er 4 months out and only loosing 10 and 12 LBS a month and sometimes stalling for during the first couple of months and later on. Because everyone's experience is different my surgeon advised me to gather testimonials as part of my decision making process to see what the experiences of both have been. I have always had a gut feeling that RNY was best for me but because VSG is suppose to have very similar outcomes I feel pretty torn. I certainly expect that there will be plateaus and such to over come. It just seems that the start is much stronger with RNYpeeps vs. VSG'ers. 

B

OK - that makes sense to me. Since you are gathering testimony, I will add mine. I have no idea if I had any stalls or not because I did not even own a scale until I hit goal. I have been precluded from exercise programs as I am disabled, but I still managed to lose 148 pounds in the first two years. I have gained a bit back, but nothing I am uncomfortable with, and I know my tool still works if I ever did decide to try and lose weight. I absolutely do not recommend anyone to blow off exercise just because I was able to lose without it, but I think you will do just fine as there are certainly some exercises that can be done at any weight. Best of luck to you no matter which surgery you choose - just the fact that you are taking this time to do your research tells me you are going to be a great success!

Thanks TXKashmir!

You will have stalls throughout the process no matter what type of surgery you choose.  The body has to adjust to the DRASTICALLY reduced amount of nutrition coming in, and your metabolism will undergo alterations throughout the process.  No matter which surgery, you will have weeks when you lose a lot, weeks when you lose a little, and weeks when you lose nothing at all.  I am VERY surprised that you have not seen the literally HUNDREDS of posts from RNYers who hit a "stall" at just 3 weeks out.  It is notorious and there is usually a post about it here every single day.  

I had the usual "stall" (although most people don't really consider just a week or two of not losing a al "stall" since that happens pretty frequently) at 3 weeks out, had a couple of times after that with a week with no loss followed by a week with a size able loss, and then I hit my only REAL stall at 9 months out.  I did not lose a single pound for NINE WEEKS. After that, I continued losing but at a slower weight.  

You can expect to have the weight loss slow the further you get out from either surgery, but the slowing will be more pronounced with the RNY (but the earlier weight loss will also be greater) as you lose the caloric malabsorption (which is gone by 18-24 months out).

if I were you, I would focus on the overall weight loss achievable with the two procedures rather than small bumps in the road.  It doesn't really matter if you gave NO stalls if you lose only half the amount of weight, right?  With your starting weight, the RNY might be better, but basically you are trading temporary caloric malabsorption for a LIFETIME of lack of vitamin absorption (and the need for vitamins three times a day every day, and periodic lab work, for the rest of your life).  With RNY, you also cannot take any NSAID pain relievers (so you are limited to Tylenol and prescription pain meds).  With the sleeve, though, there is no chance of dumping (although only about 30% of RNYers dump, anyway).  I guess what I am tryi to say is that, of all the things to consider when making the choice, PERCEIVED differences in stall patterns (because, as I said, you will have them with either surgery and can have them at any time with either surgery) shouldn't even be on the list.

Lora

Ever feel like you don't know why you bother .   I hope you have a fabulous day, Lora x

Yeah, some days I do.  You try to be helpful and let someone know that the thing they are focusing on is a non-issue in the grand scheme of things and they get upset.  I see she delete the response, though.

You have a good day, too... I'm off to the dentist for a broken molar (gonna need a crown... So I know where my tax refund money is going!)

Lora

Hi ****rogirl-

I deleted the post because I thought it was rude of me to speak to you that way when you were just trying to help. I also thought that the points you shared even if I didn't feel they applied to what I was trying to gain could help another person trying to learn what to consider and what they shouldn't consider and I didn't want my negative energy to get in the way. 

I also wanted to take a step back and appreciate how much time you had dedicated to helping me to decide on what to do regardless of how I interpreted your response I do believe it was rooted in respect and trying to help me focus on the most important things, so I didn't feel like my reply was warranted. 

Navigating this site has been challenging because as a pre-op person who has concerns about all the stuff. Big and small, my perception of the upcoming challenges impact my confidence in my choices.

My apologies fro being rude, I do hope my post doesn't deter you from trying to help people. No good deed goes unpunished.