Why did you choose VSG?

I am considering a revision to VSG. I had a Realize Band place in February 2009 and have lost and maintained 30 lbs, for that I am thankful, but I have been having some major issues with my band. I am throwing up 3-4 times a week and have heart burn like crazy. Sometimes it feels like my port is going to puncture through my skin.

Because of the above mention issues, I am considering a revision to VSG. I am just curious to get feedback. Have any of you failed with VSG to lose and maintain weight loss. I know this is a tool and I have to do the work. That is fine with me. I just can't do this alone. Did any of you consider RNY? Why did you not choose the bypass? What are the most important things to consider with VSG? Have you been able to maintain your weightloss?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to help me!

Beth Deering

I chose VSG because:

1.  No rerouting - your body continues to work as designed.
2.  No ghost stomach in there that can't be scoped - kinda freaky to me!
3.  No dumping (for the majority of us).  Didn't like the idea of that at all!
4.  No fills and unfills, no ports, no bands that can slip or erode thru the stomach.

I loved that you have the same stomach, just much smaller and less stretchy!  The "down side" of the sleeve is that you have to make good food choices and you can eat/drink around the restriction.  People who "graze" all day, drink their calories, or make horrible food choices - this is not the surgery for you!  But if you are willing to use the sleeve as a tool to help you - it's the perfect surgery for you.  I love my sleeve!

 I honestly didn't consider anything else. The side effects of the bypass scared me. I didn't want to deal with the malabsorption and dumping. I would never be able to have an alcoholic drink again or eat sugar. I'm 28 and I'm fine with having a drink once in a while in the future but to say never wasn't reasonable for me. Same with sugar. I also saw my friend go thru the sleeve surgery and lose 150 lbs so that was very helpful thing. But mainly the lack of side effects made the choice for me.

If I didn't get some type of wls I was just going to get fatter.
 I actually started out thinking I would get a band but after my consultation with the social worker she mentioned the sleeve and I started researching it. I was impressed with the weight loss success of those who follow the guidelines. I also liked that there wasnt follow up "fills". I didn't want the RNY because it felt too drastic. As previously listed above by another poster, the RNY reroutes your GI system and has more side effects.
Im 2.5wks out from surgery. My 2 wk liquid preop diet sucked but since that I've been very lucky. There was minimal pain after surgery and I didn't have any vomitting. I've been walking 3 miles since 4 days post op. I do get light headed at times and struggle to get protein shakes in but I could drink water all day. I actually crave it!
Good luck with your decision. It's not an easy one to make.

 I had the realize band in Sept 2008 and am revising to the sleeve this Thursday. I had muliple prolapsed/slipped band occurrences.I think this is the right choice for me and am hopeful for successful results!! 

Good luck making your decision! 

I chose the sleeve because its just so simple!  You feel full fast, no dumping, not a lot of supplementing etc.,  Set it and forget it.  I am 3 years out and up about 13 lbs, but haven't made much of an effort to get it back off.

I absolutely love my VSG!