Contemplating sleeve or DS..Need to lose 150+lbs..Any opinions on which surgery to have?
I have been investigating both the DS and sleeve surgery. Just wondering which surgery would be best for me. I would love to hear the pros and cons of the sleeve and if you are happy with it. I would also like to know if anyone has had any issues with vitamin deficiencies or any other issues. I have also heard of multiple folks who have had the sleeve going forward and having the DS because they weren't able to maintain their weight. I would love to hear your experience with weight loss and maintenance. Thanks so much!
I met with 2 doctors over a year ago. Each doctor gave me a different answer. One said I should get teh duodenal switch as it would allow me to lose enough weight to avoid future risk factors-diabetes etc. The other said RNY or sleeve. Most who do not recommend or speak of the duodenal switch do so because they don't perform that surgery. I have not heard such great things about the RNY and I will probably need to take anti-inflamatories at some point so RNY is off the table. The sleeve will allow me to take meds and have no malabsorption issues but I'm not sure it would provide me the maintenance assistance I need. What made your doc recommend the sleeve-if it's not too personal to share.
I am going to start by saying that I think the DS surgery is a GREAT surgery! One of the best out there! For YEARS I wanted the DS surgery... I researched it, joined the boards, even have some DSer's as FB friends. I just never had insurance that would cover it nor could I afford it. I KNEW a lot about the surgery.... but then a few months ago people started posting pictures of their vitamins they take daily. It was A LOT. I am going to be honest here... I said for a long time I could put up with taking the vitamins as long as it would help me... until I saw the pictures. They were large, and there were so many. It overwhelmed me just to think of taking those every day. I took a serious look inside myself and asked myself if I could handle that. The answer, sadly, was no. So then I researched the Sleeve. My main reason for wanting the DS was because my stomach would be a normal stomach. I liked that better than the idea of some pouch. The sleeve was basically what I wanted... just without the malabsorption.
As I looked around this forum, I saw so many successful people! Being someone who always watched the DS boards, many people would talk about the sleeve like it was the same as the lap band at times (but this was 4 years ago and the sleeve has progressed)... so it was refreshing to see people get to THEIR goals, not just their surgeons, and keeping it off. To be honest, when I was reading that people were only eating 600-800 calories (or less) a day I questioned if the sleeve was best for me. But then when I read about how you lose much of the hunger hormone and you dont really WANT to eat that much, I felt better about the surgery. I decided to go with the Sleeve, and figured if it didn't work, I could add the malabsorption aspect later if I HAD to...Once I decided to go with the sleeve, everything fell into place! I was able to go to Mexico and get my surgery within 4 weeks of making up my mind to go with the sleeve.
Now I am 2 weeks post-op, feeling AMAZING, and I have lost a total of 20lbs since deciding to go with this surgery (15lbs post op). I went into surgery STARVING (I was on a 3 day clear liquid diet before surgery) and I woke up (after the gas pains passed) not hungry at all... not one little bit (thirsty though!). I still rarely get hungry. I only get hungry when I have had under 300 calories for the day and I know I need a bit more (trust me... that seems impossible pre-op, but post-op I watch my husband eat and it seems so weird to me that someone can eat like that! haha its strange).
I would like to point out, as vets have mentioned, the sleeve is not standard. You have to make sure you have a surgeon that will give you a tight sleeve. You mentioned people went to eh DS from the sleeve because they weren't maintaining... years ago the sleeves tended to be larger (from what I have read from the vets on here) and the larger the sleeve, the more hunger hormones, and the more food you can eat, ect. Larger sleeves are harder to lose weight with and maintain.
I am VERY happy with my choice... it is still early on, but I just feel glad I made this option. I just feel better. However, both are good surgeries and in the end, it is up to you. With both surgeries, do your research and find a GOOD surgeon *****ally knows their stuff! Ask technical questions (search this board for bougie size and you'll find a great deal of info and search the DS boards for information about common channel... success with either surgery will depend on how the surgeon handles those two sizes).
Sorry for the book... hahaha I just wanted to share my experience with literally going from a true DSer to being a Sleeved girl! lol Good luck on your research!
HW: 275 SW: 265 CW: 200 GW: 135 Month 1: -25 Month 5: -65lbs total
On the fence about self-pay options and if Mexico is the right choice (or scared of that option)? Let my experience (first time ever in Mexico) be your guide. Don't let fear hold you back!
"You make me new, you are making me new" Gungor
on 7/23/13 8:28 pm
I had surgery five months ago, I have 140 pounds to lose, I am half way there and truly could not be any happier with my results, my daily eating choices and my ever improving health and more active lifestyle. I was not a candidate for anything except the band or sleeve due to the fact I had 90% of my colon removed 2 yrs ago- the band was not for me- so here I am a 'sleevey".....it is entirely possible to lose 150 with the sleeve, the real question always remains, are you willing to do your part while the sleeve helps you along? It is a very simple dietary life with the sleeve, it is not always easy. I see a therapist 2x a month to deal with the emotional parts of my overeating in the past, and my fears of a transformed future. Having this surgery was the second best thing I ever did for myself! Good luck to you. Be brutally honest with yourself, and you will have an answer to your question.
My sister had the DS and I had VSG. She has gas that runs her husband out of the room. I don't.
To me, it just doesn't seem natural to reroute your intestines. You can lose the weight with VSG if you are committed. You can defeat the DS if you want, just like you can with VSG.
It's really up to you, but remember you can always revise to DS but you can't go back if you don't like it.
800 calories and less than 20 net carbs is the shizzle
My sister had the DS and I had VSG. She has gas that runs her husband out of the room. I don't.
To me, it just doesn't seem natural to reroute your intestines. You can lose the weight with VSG if you are committed. You can defeat the DS if you want, just like you can with VSG.
It's really up to you, but remember you can always revise to DS but you can't go back if you don't like it.
"but remember you can always revise to DS but you can't go back if you don't like it."
Actually, you can. The intestinal portion of the DS is completely reversible.
I have a lot to lose also, almost 200 from when i had my original consult with my surgeon. I decided to go with the VSG and kept the option of a DS open if i need it (my sleeve is slightly larger than some as a result). The only reason i didnt go with the DS right away was because i take a lot of medication for autoimmune liver disease and 1) did not want to fuss with the doses because it took years to get right, 2) VSG has a lower chance of developing ulcers because there is no suture line along the bottom of stomach to erode/weaken. So far, at the halfway point, i'm happy with my decision of VSG and think i'll be able to make it all the way to goal without the DS. The DS might have been faster, and its a larger safety net once i get to goal ... but i've learned a lot already during the journey and hope that will be enough for the future.
your decision really needs to be based on your eating habits and how well you are able to control what you eat. it takes a lot more discipline and foods during the weight loss phase can be pretty boring. There is no (or at least very little) maladsoprtion with VSG ... so whatever bad stuff you eat, you digest, and can gain a lot easier. DS does have a greater need for vitamins etc ... but the latest studies out show that even VSG people have a 50-75% chance at deficiencies in iron, b12, zinc - even with the standard multivitamin per day that most doctors recommend. A lot of people take the same meds as a DS patient.
I have a lot to lose also, almost 200 from when i had my original consult with my surgeon. I decided to go with the VSG and kept the option of a DS open if i need it (my sleeve is slightly larger than some as a result). The only reason i didnt go with the DS right away was because i take a lot of medication for autoimmune liver disease and 1) did not want to fuss with the doses because it took years to get right, 2) VSG has a lower chance of developing ulcers because there is no suture line along the bottom of stomach to erode/weaken. So far, at the halfway point, i'm happy with my decision of VSG and think i'll be able to make it all the way to goal without the DS. The DS might have been faster, and its a larger safety net once i get to goal ... but i've learned a lot already during the journey and hope that will be enough for the future.
your decision really needs to be based on your eating habits and how well you are able to control what you eat. it takes a lot more discipline and foods during the weight loss phase can be pretty boring. There is no (or at least very little) maladsoprtion with VSG ... so whatever bad stuff you eat, you digest, and can gain a lot easier. DS does have a greater need for vitamins etc ... but the latest studies out show that even VSG people have a 50-75% chance at deficiencies in iron, b12, zinc - even with the standard multivitamin per day that most doctors recommend. A lot of people take the same meds as a DS patient.
VSG has a lower chance of developing ulcers because there is no suture line along the bottom of stomach to erode/weaken.
Where did you get this information? It's incorrect---the stomach of the DS is exactly the same as the stomach of the VSG.
