So Why Did You Get the Sleeve instead of R n Y?

For me it was my only option.
I jumped through hoops for over two years trying to get the R n Y but it wasn't meant to be.

I was first scheduled for the surgery on Jube 16, 2011 but two weeks before the surgeon called me nd canceled. Seemed my sarcoidosis was back in full force so they said no surgery until I can get it cleared up.

My second attempt was August 19, this time I made it to the operating room and as soon as they opened me up, they swamy liver was cirrhosis and decided to abort on the spot,
I can't put into words how let down I was when I woke up in recovery with all the ho,es and pain of the surgery, but no surgery. I cried.

They said go see the liver specialist and if she says ok, then well continue.
Finally on Feb 3rd they did the sleeve and when I woke up in re overly and it was 'done' I cried again, but this time they were tears of joy.

This last two years has been such a emotional roller coaster, and after the second attempt, I had pretty much given up. I was in such a dark place, so depressed, I didn't think I would ever get out of there.

Anyway, looking back now, it was a blessing in disguise because I'm glad I had the sleeve and not the other procedure.

So what's your story?

First of all, bless your heart!! You have been through so much! I wasn't trying to get surgery for the last couple of years but I was researching it. I never thought I'd be able to afford it but amazingly this year I had the money to get it done. I was sad about not having the money for a couple of years but I think what you went through must have been awful. I am so sorry you were excited about surgery twice and got left down. This weight loss battle is so depressing sometimes! I think most of us can relate.

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! So glad you got sleeved! I personally chose the gastric sleeve over gastric bypass surgery because of the malabsorptive syptoms that come from it. Many bypass patients have huge problems with vitamin deficiencies and have to make a lot of trips to the doctor for it. I also know there are more complications from gastric bypass than there are from the gastric sleeve. The surgery is less invasive and less risky. Mortality rates from gastric sleeve are quite a bit less than the gastric bypass. This all rang a bell to me.

I just think it is generally far safer than the gastric bypass. The weight loss is somewhat comparable after 2 years. The weight loss may be somewhat faster with the bypass, but it seems to even out after a couple of years. Also, some of the the malabsorption of calories from the gastric bypass is said to stop after a couple of years. So I just didn't see a huge benefit to that.

In my eyes, it was a no brainer. However, gastric bypass is a successful surgery. The risks just seemed far greater and at this point of my life with two young children, it just didn't seem worth it.

Those are my personal reasons for choosing VSG over R n Y gastric bypass.

Best of luck in your weight loss journey! I hope you lose as much weight as you would like and get in a healthy happy place! You deserve it! You have been through a lot and I'm so glad you are sleeved now!

My biggest reasons were absorption and digestion.

I felt more comfortable that I would be taking in/processing food as I did before surgery, just less of it.

1- Arthritis runs in my family, and I already have a little bit of it in my foot.  I want to be able to take NSAIDS if I need to.

2- I liked the idea that my weightloss would be due to just having a smaller tummy... Not a new tummy + malobsorbtion.  It seems like I am the type of person that would not do well with having malabsorbtion the first few years, then have it go away.  I am glad that I had to learn to eat properly from the get go.

Honestly, RNY scared the crap out of me. I didn't want to re-arrange all of my guts and I didn't want the crazy malnutrition that comes along with it. The sleeve was a way better option for me in my opinion. I am 6 days out and loving it!!!!

I started out on the RNY route...but found out during this process that I have Crohn's disease so the RNY is a big no-no. I'm actually thankful b/c since finding that out and researching the VSG, I'm MUCH more comfortable w/ this over the RNY. If I had never found out about the Crohn's I would have never considered it either. Funny how things work out!

I have no regrets. My numbers are below. I saw no reason to mess with my colon and increase risks of complications. I don't need 'dumping' as a motivation. 

I exercise and focus on lifestyle changes.  I was in therapy for the first 6 months of post-op. Regardless of the procedure, the mental and physical work has to be done.