Beginning my Journey

So I'm looking for some advice...I have finally made the decision to go with weight loss surgery. Its taken me a couple of years to really decided that this is what I need to help me lose the weight. I went to my information session/new patient orientation on Wednesday night. Before going I had done my research and thought that VSG was the way I was going to go. But now after going to the information session I'm not sure. Looking for some advice or ideas of what made others choose VSG over gastric bypass. Please Help!

Jessica

I went through the same deal; I was 99% sure that I wanted the sleeve.  After speaking with my surgeon, I was torn between the sleeve and gastric bypass.  I just kept researching both procedures and weighing the pros and cons of both.  For me, the bypass didn't make sense.  I can wrap my head around removing a portion of my stomach.  The moving this here, attaching it to that there...that just doesn't make sense to me LOL....so the sleeve it is! Good luck with your journey!!

VSG is just so much less complicated than a bypass is.  First, the surgery is simpler.  With VSG you're just removing part of the stomach.  No organs are being re-routed.  And after surgery, there isn't the issue of getting the nutrients you need.  And I've been on this forum for about 3 months and people are literally shrinking in front of my eyes!  Many many many stories of people who have gotten to their goals and kept themselves there.  Keep coming to this forum.  It is a wealth of information.

Congratulations on taking the first step.  The beginning was rough, but SO worth it!

Just be aware that some surgeons and bariatric surgery programs seem to have a preference for one over the other.  I'm not sure if it's because they are more familiar or have more experience with a certain surgery.  When I attended the info session, the surgeon leading the session (who did not become my surgeon) seemed to steer the group towards the RNY.  Some insurance companies, mine included, only recently approved the VSG for coverage. 

Bottom line, I think you need to make the choice for yourself based on your preferences.  I'm a little partial to the VSG...obviously I haven't had the RNY!  I chose the VSG for many reasons: no blind stomach that couldn't be accessed without surgery (that stomach can get ulcers), no dumping, didn't want to worry about absorption of vitamins and such just to name a few.  Hope that helps!  Good luck!