Its time to choose

 I have 10 days to decide if I want the VSG or RNY. 

Ok, well I know I can take as long as i want, but my consultation is in 10 days, so I want to figure it out.

My question is more for people who have had it.

What made you choose the sleeve and were you worried that you wouldnt lose as much weight than if you had the RNY?

I'm concerned because my heath classes said that people who get the sleeve can expect to lose 75% of their excess weight compared to 90% with RYN.  They did a lot of fear tactics, so I don't know if they were BSing me, or if it was true. 
I also wonder about maintaining long term with the VGS vs. maintaining with RNY.  Has anyone found it difficult to maintain compared to thqeir RNY buddies?  I am pretty serious about my food intake and the choices I make, so I know that my diet is going to be fine, but I am concerned about streching it all back out.  Is this just a normal fear that I need to get over, or a serious concern comared to RNY?

Any advice would help.

Actually, my surgeon (who himself had the RNY before the Sleeve was an option) said that their stats with the sleeve were right on par with the RNY with much lower risks. I've never once worried that I wouldn't make goal. Heck, I made goal with the band too and that's almost unheard of...so I have no doubts with this.

RNY was never an option for me, so I never considered the "what if's" of RNY. I was too afraid of malabsorption should I have medical issues later on. Best wishes in which ever surgery you choose!

 My doctor has the same success rates with the VSG as the RNY.  I have friends from both camps - and I think that the VSG folks have better success.  This is strictly a personal observation.  

The malabsorption of the RNY is why I decided against it.  That and the rearranging was not quite what I wanted at all.  I can take any medications needed for the rest of my life as well.  I am very happy to have gotten the sleeve.  And yep, I am biased.  lol

Basically, everyone I know who had RNY is either nearly bald or has an eating disorder years later.

 I rejected the bypass/malabsorption route after a lot of soul-searching a few years ago. I saw too many complications.  I started looking at surgery as an option again only because of the VSG. 

I think you can be successful (or not!) on any of these routes - but why do something more drastic with higher complication rates when you can do an easier, simpler thing that has the same effect?

That's how I made my decision - same effect, less worry, less recovery time (I was back at work 4 days post-op - YMMV of course!)  

 My doctor said if I wanted the lapband he would try and talk me out of it and I did not want the RNY because of malabsorption, ulcers, dumping syndrome and on and on.  Yes people lose weight, but my dr said I would lose at pretty much the same rate if I followed his rules...I have followed the rules and the loss has happened.  As far as weight gain, my observation has been that RNY folks put weight back on pretty fast if they start eating more than they should AND they are able to because their pouch is made from the stretchy part of the stomach.  With the sleeve that part is in the garbage!!!  Now, we can gain weight by eating the wrong food (high fat and Calorie) BUT, the amount is limited -- although we can graze -- especially if we drink with our meals....thus following the rules.  Make the right decision for you, but on this forum all of us pretty much love our sleeves and our new healthy lives.  Good Luck!!!

 
The VSG is a non-standardized procedure........

If those stats are from your surgeon..... I would believe him/her.....

I think 50-60% of EWL is the average and considered successful......

My surgeons stats are in the 80-100% range with the VSG......

Procedure, Education, Aftercare, Commitment, Compliance all play a factor in ones results at this.

The current range of Procedure, Aftercare and Eating plans now days is all over the place so it is VERY Hard to compare VSG to VSG or VSG to RNY.

frisco

 Thank you so much for the input everyone!  I posted my question on this board because i have been leaning toward VGS the entire time.  

I did the Options classes at Kaiser, and they strongly suggest the RNY for everyone, so any information we recieved on the LapBand or the VGS was limited and usually negative.  

Thank you so much for the input, and the fact that I can still take my Midol has sold me on the VGS!  LOL I look forward to joining you all as a post-op soon!

David Suh is my doctor and he and his staff are amazing! I had my VSG 10weeks ago. It was one of the most important decision that I have made. I'm glad that Dr. Suh and his staff are there to guide me through every step. Good luck on your journey!

 Thanks!  I am heading to the support group meeting tonight.  I hear nothing but good things about the Dr and his team!