New to this board

Wow..it pays to poke around. I've been a member of this site for quite a while and didn't even know about the lightweights designation.

I started my journey in September '08 at 257 lbs (5' 6").  I'm down to 215 and am scheduled for surgery on June 17th. 

I'm torn between Gastric Bypass and the Sleeve.  Any pro's and/or cons from the "lighter side" of weight loss?  I was initially thinking about the band, as I didn't think I had alot (ie 200lbs or more) to lose.  

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome aboard! Both LW RNYrs and VSGrs are pretty successful so far. I think we have a few RNYrs that are several years out and still doing great. I'm not too sure who our furthest out VSGr is.  We have all the surgeries here, so make yourself at home. You have done an awesome job losing on you own so far too. I think you'll be successful regardless of which surgery you choose.
Gina

HI!!  I sure do think you have been wise to get as much weight off as possible prior to surgery.  It'll make goal all the sweeter.   As for which surgery, that my dear has to be your decision however I can say that I started out thinking LB was my surgery as well as my surgeon thought I would because of my low BMI.  However, after speaking to several docs and NUT about LB vs RNY I don't quite understand why my surgeon thought it should be based on a low BMI rather than what type of eater I am/was and how I would certainly have been able to eat my way around the LB.  Good Luck on your decision.  It will be the best thing you've ever done.  Be joyous!

Hello and welcome, this is a great bunch.

Welcome!  No advice on the type of surgery, I had RNY because it that or the band were all that were offered to me by my insurance company.  I chose RNY because I knew it was a one shot deal, I was not going to get another chance at it so I did what I thought was best for me.  Good luck with your decision.    Dawn

Welcome to the board, this is a great bunch.

I looked at the sleeve and probably would have picked it if my insurance would cover it there is no way I could do self pay.  Well anyway my insurance would only pay for RNY or Lap Band.  So I have decided to have RNY, it is really a personal decision and I know which ever you choose you will be successful.

Best of Luck with your decision do your research

Congratulations on your sucess so far. I too am new to this board just found out about it a couple of days ago on the Lap Band forum. I started my journey at 251 before mty 8 week WLS education had surgery 2-10 at 247 and weighed in yesterday at 212. As for what surgery to choose that is a very personal decision I originally wanted the RNY because I thought I would be forced to follow plan that way. I had a Band due to the inability medically to do the RNY. I wish you much more sucess.

This is the best board! WELCOME:)
I have just had an RNY in Feb.
Don't know about the sleeve...but at the bariatric center I went to, they preferred to do do RNY on all patients and only use the band when their condition could not take the RNY!
Remember... this is a one time deal, so do your research on all the different types of surgery and your bariatric program & surgeon! It will be well worth all the effort you put into it!

carebare,

Welcome to the lightweights!  I don't know enough about the sleeve to discuss it.  I had the RNY - it will be 2 years in June.  I don't regret my surgery choice for a second and I'm very happy with my results.

It's absolutely amazing where this journey will take you...best of luck to you!

Bekah

Hello - I think both the RnY, Band, DS and the VSG are all good choices, but it's really personal.  I choose the VSG because I did have a lower BMI and insurance wasn't gonna pay for anything so it really was between the Band and the VSG as the RnY was cost prohibitive (although I think you can get it done in Mexico for a reasonable price).  I LOVE my VSG and after a lot of research decided it was the best choice for me and it is what I would have fought for even if insurance was paying.  If you go on the VSG forum you'll get lots of feedback on why people chose that surgery.  On this board we really try to avoid surgery comparisons as we all just want to support everyones personal decision.  Good luck, as I'm sure you know there is a ton of information to help you make your decision her on OH.

Oh, and one last thing - you can eat yourself around any of the WLSies, only like 50% of people dump with the RnY if you are thinking that will keep you from eating sweets, and some VSGers do dump eventhoug they thought they wouldn't with that surgery.  So you just don't know.  If you eat the wrong foods and graze all day you can sabbotage any WLS.