Sleeve Bypass and Dumping Syndrome

[shousejl]

Hi, I am trying to decide between a sleeve gastrectomy and sleeve bypass procedure. I am a Female, 5'11" and currently 298 lbs. My goal weight is 175. I am leaning toward the gastrectomy, however I do have acid reflux and currently take medications for it. Though with a lifestyle and diet change, I believe this will not be an issue anymore. I rarely had heartburn when I was a healthy weight and made better food choices. I am worried my surgeon will recommend the bypass instead. I am worried mostly because I am actually scared of the "dumping syndrome" that is common with bypass surgeries and the higher risk of malnutrition. Does anyone have any experience with either of these risks? If so, how does it affect your day-to-day living?

Thanks in advance!

[Luna354]

I think sleeve is the most common procedure right now. As for dumping syndrome with the bypass I don't believe this will happen unless you make poor choices. I didn't really consider the bypass as an option. I felt like it's more complicated and you have more down time.

[Lorna Doone]

I was sleeved in 2010. I was good for about 3-4 yrs. Then the weight gain began. My doctor told me after surgery it was a possibility. Originally I was a bandster. (gastric band). My original weight was 210-215. I had my band for 10 yrs. when I was converted to sleeve. When I was sleeved I weighed 160. My doctor converted me right over to sleeve from band. Seven yrs. out with sleeve I weigh 175. I'm going for revision by next year. My band surgeon also did my sleeve. I contacted him about 5 yrs. out to tell him I had gained and looking for revision and he recommended bypass.
So I did my own research. I talked with several revisionist's on Obesity Help which is one of the main revision boards and many folks recommended the duodenal switch instead. They said there was no dumping and for the most part little chance of serious weight regain. Over a 10 yr. period you may regain 10-20 pounds at most. After the sleeve I had gotten down to 140. I was told with the switch I'll more than likely go lower, however, you must take supplements the rest of your life or you can have serious health issues.
Also the switch is tailored to your body type according to if you're a lightweight, which I am, or a heavyweight. I also spoke to many revisionist's privately and they told me the worst side effect was gas and BM odor's from the duodenal bypass and the malabsorption issue. But you have to know what you're getting yourself into and you also have to go on probiotics to help with gastrointestinal issues.
And this is the case with both regular bypass and the duodenal switch. You're re-arranging your intestines.Or your plumbing so to speak. There are DS patient's who believe cut once. But in my opinion my DS will be second stage as I already did 1st stage with the sleeve. A DS is a combination of a gastric sleeve and a duodenal bypass. If you get sleeved first, you can always convert over to a regular bypass, or DS later. However, if you get a bypass after the sleeve you can't later convert to a DS and many regular bypass folks say they would like to convert to DS but only a select few capable bariatric doctor's can convert bypass to DS. So with that said, you should go with sleeve first and then decide down the road if a revision to bypass or DS is needed.
There's a lot of conversions later on down the road but not many on these boards that have experience with it. There again I would recommend Obesity Help for more knowledge.

[Christie13]

Yes dumping syndrome is very common in bypass patients as is malabsorption. I had a hiatal hernia pre sleeve and heart burn issues due to it. They repaired my hernia with my sleeve and I still had heart burn in the beginning. Now 21 weeks post op and I don't have it often. It could have a lot to do with my weight loss as well. www.obesitycoverage.com has a lot of good information on the differences between the different procedures.