Why the Vertical Sleeve??

Hi!  I am new to this forum.  I meet with the surgeon this Thursday to discuss the surgery and get my date.  I have lost my 10 percent, done all the other things so I'm pretty well set to go.  My big decision is whether to have the Vertical Sleeve or the Bypass.  Couple of things appeal to me about the VSL like no problems with malabsorption and still being able to take advil.  Frankly I just finished my period and Tylenol really didn't do much for me or the cramps!!  My biggest fear though is that I won't lose the weight; like somehow I'll go through this and be 50 lbs overweight because I didn't do the the Bypass.  I would appreciate hearing from those of you who have had the surgery, what helped you decide AND have you been satisified with the results?? 

Thanks Much!!

Just had the sleeve two weeks ago.  I would absolutely never do the bypass or the band.  I only decided to do weight loss surgery after having seen information on the web about it and watching the actual surgery performed on Utube.  There are entirely too many side effects from both the bypass and the band, and equally as many failures.  The sleeve does nothing more than reduce the SIZE of your stomach pouch by about 70-80%, leaving you able to eat what you ate before, only in far smaller amounts.  Any of the surgeries can result in failure at some point, so the goal of having any of them should be to give you enough time being 'forced' to eat less and better to help you engage in a healthy lifestyle 'change'.  Most obese individuals are not obese because they eat too many times a day as much as they are so because they will NOT eat enough times a day to not become ravenous by the time they do eat.  The sleeve surgery will force you to reduce the 'amount' of food you eat at any given time, therefore resulting in having to eat much smaller amounts many more times per day.  I chose the sleeve so that I would be forced to eat more often and make better choices since I can only fit a little bit in at a time.  I'm certainly not going let that little bit be something that won't satisfy me until my stomach empties a couple of hours later and allows me to refill it.  This is what the sleeve is about to me.  Simply a swift kick in the rear to jump start a different way of eating.  Can't neglect the psychological reasons for eating either though.  Gotta make sure those are addressed no matter which surgery you choose.  Good luck.

see my post entitiled "wow, look at these numbers".

You will be sooo much happier with the sleeve. I know several people with the bypass that gained their weight back because they don't have the restriction. The sleeve is restrictive, it truly makes you stop eating when it's time. No disgusting side effects (if you know what I mean).  I am so happy and have no regrets.

I just got back from my surgeon's office and he basically said the same thing. I was 100% ready for RNY when he talked to me about VSG.  I guess I am just trying to find a reason not to have the sleeve.  It almost seems too good to be true... 
Am I crazy?

Can anyone recommend any good websites for resources?  I am just trying to get all the facts.

I am almost 2 years out and have had great results.
I was 263 lbs before surgery, 5 ft tall and 52 years old.
I am still 5 ft tall and am now 54 years old but that is the only things that are the same.
I now weigh 123 as of this morning. I fluctuate betweein 120-125 and have maintained that weight for over a year.
I was certain I did not want a procedure that involved malabsorbtion because I feared the possible complications that can come with it. Although most folks do not have problems if they follow the vitamin and supplement regime the folks I know that did have problems had major, serious health problems. Couple that with the fact that malabsorbtion subsides over time and it was just not  deal I wanted to sign up for.
I was not able to walk to the corner without breathing hard, sweating and feeling like crap before surgery.
I now hike several days a week with no problems.
I was taking high blood pressure meds and needed a cpap machine for sleep apnea. I have no need for either.
I was wearing size 28 clothes I now wear size 6 some size 4.
The bottom line is no surgery is fool proof and without major changes in lifestyle and eating no surgery will be successful.
The sleeve has given me the opportunity to live and eat like a normal person for the first time.
I get full faster, I stay full longer, I eat average sized portions of normal foods with no worries of "dumping" or otherwise getting sick.

Thanks to everyone so far for your responses...

Helps to hear that folks are having good success with the sleeve.  Seems that it all depends on how well you take care of yourself after....

I chose VSG over RNY for my revision for several reasons. The biggest factors was the fact that malabsorption of fat and calories only last about 2 years, but malabsorption of vitamins is a lifelong battle. The other issue was that I had a "pouch" with the band, and it sucked. It's not natural, and I love having a tiny normal stomach. I love that I can eat anything I want, and have lost my hunger. Also, the regain stats with RNY are just scary. I was on the revision board for a long time, and noticed a trend that a lot of RNY patients were seeking revisions, be it, an ERNY, Stomaphyx, or the the Rose Procedure. Some even revised to the DS.

For me, RNY really wasn't an option. I knew that volume/portion control would give me exactly what I needed. Add in the fact that I've lost all of my hunger, it's pretty fabulous.


With the sleeve alone, I have dropped 142-145lbs in less than 11 months. I bounce around 123-125lbs, standing 5'2". My starting weight with the band was 270, day of my revision 263lbs. I went from wearing a tight 22W to a comfortable 24W pant and a 26/28W blouse to wearing a size 4/6 in pants, and a small to medium top (typically a size 3-6 depending on if I am shopping the junior section).

The hunger may return to some extent, but I've formed a healthier relationship with food. I no longer live to eat, it's just eating to live.

 


I chose vsg because i did not want my insides re routed and i did not like the idea of anything foreign inside me and also the complications did not want anything slipping or eroding my stomach.


if you go to Macdames profile she has a world of information that youll find interestinghttp://www.obesityhelp.com/member/macmadame/  
i at first worried i would be the one person that this did not work for, but i have no regrets at all with my sleeve.
 

I think you should seriously do some research and look at the numbers.  Along with the vertical sleeve, the duodenal switch has no malabsorption and you can take NSAIDS with this surgery also...The pounds lost are very impressive also.  Check out the percentages and ask your doctor what he thinks about it.

The DS has the MOST malabsorption of the main WLS choices available...yes, the sleeve and DS have the same stomach but the DS has a lifetime of major malabsorption. I do agree that the OP should research all surgery types and go into whatever WLS well informed.