Unsure..RNY/Sleeve?

[believexrebecca]

I'm 17 years old, will be 18 at the time of surgery. I weigh 397 pounds and I'm 5'3. They've given me the option of sleeve or bypass, but I'm unsure. I just want opinions. Given my weight, age, and height can you guys weigh in on what you think will be my best option?

[joatsaint]

Here's how I made the choice:

[DaniCici]

Hi there! Did your Dr go over with you the pros and cons of each surgery and which one you would be better suited for? When I met with my surgeon, we talked about the lap band, gastric bypass, and the gastric sleeve. He ruled the lap band out because it isn't as successful as it use to be and people were having complications with the band. Then we talked about gastric bypass vs. gastric sleeve. I asked him which one was better and he told me that they will both give you the results you desire. Only one, the traditional gastric bypass reroutes your intestines and the sleeve, just removes the stomach and doesn't touch your intestines.
It all depends on what you want to have. Do you want your intestines rerouted or do you just want part of your stomach removed? Personally, I didn't want to go through having anything rerouted. I am very happy with my decision to go with the sleeve. Just do your research and you too will make the right decision for yourself.

[Shirleybird]

HI REBECCA, I just got the sleeve and am more than pleased. A dr. told me that every band has to be removed eventually and a sleeve can be turned into bypass , but once you have bypass that is all that can be done. Go for the sleeve. It works and you will not be disappointed. Once you have read more on this forum you will be convinced. The bypass has alot of problems with malnutrition because nothing stops to absorb the food or vitamins. Listen to all of us and you will be on your way to a healthier and thinner you. Shirley

[housediva82]

Hi there I actually got talked out of the gastric bypass. Less Invasive and way faster recovery. Its been 2 years for me and I think this was the best choice to save my life! Im here for you if you have any questions!

[rxtech932002]

Rebecca, Take advantage of this opportunity. I wish these options were available when I was 17 yrs old 20 yrs ago. I have had 2 heart attacks , open heart surgery, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressue, pain. When I discussed the options with my surgeon. I first went for the bypass then when I had to get cardiac clearance due to my heart. My cardiologist recommended the band due to it being less ivasive, but when I discussed it on my next appt with him we discussed the options and he felt like with my heart the sleeve was the best option because of less anesthesia time and I wouldn't have to switch my medications around from controlled release to immediate release. I would go with the sleeve just because its less invasive on the body than the bypass. Ive had friends that have had success with the gastric bypass and the sleeve. Im looking to get sleeved with end of this yr first part of next year.

[ThisIs4Me]

I have not had surgery yet but I am goin with the sleeve. I researched band-don't like needles that they have to use to fill/drain the band, don't like the fact that it can erode into ur stomach and don't like the fact that it can "slip". Didn't like by-pass because of "dumping syndrome", if I make a mistake and eat some sugar, I don't wanna puke from it, I don't like the malabsorption issues that go hand in hand with by-pass and I don't want my intestines re-routed anywhere, I like them where they r

Good luck 2 u in ur decision, im sure whatever u choose will work 4 u as long as u follow what ur surgeon and NUT tell u. Plz keep us posted

[bergamini]

I normally stay out of this type of discussion, but given your age I would no doubt go for the sleeve. The malabsorption of the gastric bypass doesn't last as long as they'd like and the pouch stretches more easily than your stomach. Either will work for you but if I was looking at another 70 years of life (or more), then I would not even hesitate to go sleeve over gastric bypass. Having an anatomically correct digestive system is good and the small stomach will serve you for a lifetime. Bypass is fine and a great option, but I really feel for a young person that the sleeve is the way to go.

[niamh]

Read this position paper by the metabolic/bariatric surgical society which summarises the research on the sleeve, including comparisons with bypass. There is no evidence of superior weight loss with bypass (although this is the commonly touted wisdom), and there IS evidence of a lower complication risk with the sleeve. Reading this made it a no-brainer for me;

http://s3.amazonaws.com/publicASMBS/...yMar142012.pdf

[ltlsqueak]

I guess it's your decision and what your physician suggests. I joined this site because I wanted the sleeve. However, after consulting with my doctor, nurse practitioner, and nutritionist I took their advice and I'm having the gastric bypass. Take into consideration I have numerous health issues and I'm much older than you. They feel like I'd lose the weight faster and the amount of weight differs by 10-20%. Again remember every physician probably feels differently. Research both options and talk with your surgeon to decide what's best for YOU. I'm praying for you and wish you the very best! Enjoy this new journey!

[niamh]

I guess it's your decision and what your physician suggests. I joined this site because I wanted the sleeve. However, after consulting with my doctor, nurse practitioner, and nutritionist I took their advice and I'm having the gastric bypass. Take into consideration I have numerous health issues and I'm much older than you. They feel like I'd lose the weight faster and the amount of weight differs by 10-20%. Again remember every physician probably feels differently. Research both options and talk with your surgeon to decide what's best for YOU. I'm praying for you and wish you the very best! Enjoy this new journey!

ltlsqueak, I'm glad you're comfortable with the decision but I'm really confused that there are surgeons continuing to say that people lose faster with bypass when the large-scale research (in the paper I've linked to) just doesn't support that idea. I assume it's just some people who haven't caught up their thinking with the latest research results.

[JustWantToBeHealthyAgain]

ltlsqueak, I'm glad you're comfortable with the decision but I'm really confused that there are surgeons continuing to say that people lose faster with bypass when the large-scale research (in the paper I've linked to) just doesn't support that idea. I assume it's just some people who haven't caught up their thinking with the latest research results.

There are some studies out there that say that the bypass makes you lose weight faster than the sleeve BUT...and this is a BIG BUT...this studies were done several years ago, when the sleeve came out, and the early sleeve was very different. The early sleevers were sleeved so the pouch is actually bigger, and sometimes the surgeons included a bit more of the fundus of the stomach. This definitely led to stretching and decreased weight loss. Surgeons have long since made the pouch even smaller and modified their technique and thus, people have done better with the sleeve.

I've only read (I'll see if I can find it and post it) one study that used people that were sleeved relatively recently and their weight loss did seem to keep up with the bypassers, as in, there were no significant differences in the rate of weight loss.

That being said, doctors will recommend the bypass to diabetics, especially those who have uncontrolled diabetes and love sweets. The bypass dumping syndrome will make it extremely uncomfortable for them to have sugar. Very strong negative reinforcement.

If you have a really bad sweet tooth and that's what you're opting for in terms of bad food choices, maybe the bypass is best, especially if you have diabetes. I know for me, it isn't. I don't have diabetes. I have insulin resistance but I'm controlling that the best I can. I eat one cupcake or a couple cookies and I'm DONE - sugar makes me feel sick becuase of my insulin resistance. I couldn't benefit much from dumping but I WOULD benefit from restriction of the stomach.

Consider your health problems, Rebecca. Think about the symptoms of each surgery and could you live with them?

[DebbieNTexas]

I wish I had had the option of the sleeve or the Bypass. My husband had the sleeve and although had a rough start (due to other medical problems), he is doing fine now and says he would even do it over again. BIG statement for him. I came here for him and got LOTS of info and support, but due to my insurance only paying toward the Bypass, that's the option I went with. My Dr said they are still using old data that the sleeve was created for the first stage of losing weight and later getting the RNY or "D" switch, can't remember the name. He hated that the insurance company made me have to choose my other option. All that being said, I'm doing fine and will make the best of it, follow the rules, take my vitamins and make this work!! I think it was better than choosing nothing. Best of luck in your journey ahead!

[JustWantToBeHealthyAgain]

Best of luck to you Debbie.

While I am getting the sleeve, I think if my insurance company did the same as yours did, I would get the bypass rather than have no surgery at all. Malabsorptive issues aside, the bypass is effective too. Both surgeries do work well and you're going to be healthy in no time.

[DebbieNTexas]

Thank you Katherine! And good luck to you also! Your time will be here before you know it.