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Sleeve vs Bypass

N

Nikki47

New Member
Hi everyone,

I am in the beginning stages of getting all of my pre-req's and clearances completed. The Bariatric Group that I have chosen for my weight loss surgery starts with an initial evaluation with the surgical Physician's Assistant. I saw her yesterday to get the process started. I have most of my other appointments already set up over the next two months to get the rest of the clearances completed, as well as some previously completed clearances.

During my appointment with the physician's assistant we discussed the three types of surgeries that this group offers, which as the bypass, gastric sleeve, and the lap band. I have no interest in the lap band. I went into the appointment thinking that I wanted the gastric bypass since I have 120 pounds that I want to lose. I figured since the bypass has a higher weight loss percentage, that it would work best for me. The PA recommended the gastric sleeve for me since I do not have multiple medical problems to resolve. Besides needing to lose 120 pounds, I also have been battling with PseudoTumor Cerebri for a year (diagnosed April 2016/Symptoms since 2013). The PA said that with the gastric sleeve the only long term deficiency seen was with vitamin b12. She said that with the gastric bypass has multiple vitamin and mineral deficiency that are associated with it. She also said that the very long term effects of malnutrition are not known with the gastric bypass.

I am looking for some advice on which type of surgery has worked best for people needing to lose 100+ pounds. Also is there anybody here with PseudoTumor Cerebri that has had WLS, if so how has the WLS effected it? The physician assistant has made me second guess my surgical choice.

Thank you.
 
With all due respect to the PA at your weight loss center, the gastric bypass is the gold standard to this date. The sleeve is gaining more information and that is good.

As to all the malnutrition concerns, after gastric bypass surgery you are then prescribed supplements that you must take for the rest of your life. These supplements counter the malnutrition that you would have with the gastric bypass if you didn't take the supplements. This is a factor. I take one key supplement from Bariatric Advantage that covers the spectrum of vitamins and minerals that I must sustain. Additionally, you will be tested annually to assure there are no deficiencies happening. If so, your Doctor would make adjustments accordingly.

The other key reason I went with the gastric bypass is I have diabetes type 2. The gastric bypass immediately controls type 2 diabetes. The day after surgery I was able to come off all the diabetic Rx's as well as the fast insulin I was taking as much as 90 units. I have tested with my A1c now for 3+ years and I have been right at 6.0. Could I get it lower sure. Many times I am in the upper 5s and this is with no meds at all. I am happy and my Doctors are happy. My cardiologist is delighted with the improvement in my overall heart health as well as what appears to be reversal of my heart disease. I have up to 50% blockage but it appears that this is stabilized and may be coming down now. We will see. I go for annual echo cardigrams. I have done calcium scores and cardiac catscans as well.

There is a better success rate with the gastric bypass demonstrated over many years of data collection. This is why it is still the "gold standard". Perhaps some day, the gastric sleeve will prevail. It is still too early to tell.

Best wishes, Ralph
 
Thank you for responding Ralph and great job beating your diabetes and keeping your heart disease under control.

The reasons that I chose the gastric bypass was because it was the gold standard, the success rate was higher, and the fact that there is more knowledge about the long term effects. I am fine taking vitamins and mineral for the rest of my life, in fact everyone probably should whether they have WLS are not. The vitamin and mineral deficiency was my only real concern with proceeding with the gastric bypass.

The PA really confused me after my first visit with her. I was set on having the gastric bypass, and she gave me a list of reasons why she things the sleeve would be better for me. Hopefully when I speak with the surgeon I will be able to have a better idea of what I want, again...
 
I went with the gastric bypass because of the weight loss, and I'm glad I did, my hospital I went to had a class on the different surgery available and it was up to us to decide which one we want, I would think that in the end it would be your choice, when you see the surgeon tell him what you want
 
The PA when I had my Initial Consultation did almost the same thing. she explained the different procedures, said she wasn't trying to persuade me one way or the other, really seemed to push the SG and de-emphasize the RYGB. It has also confused me. Now my surgery is a few weeks away and I still have not made the final decision although I am still leaning toward the RYGB, mostly because of Type 2 Diabetes. My Pre Op is in a week and I will have a good talk with the surgeon.
 
Nikki47 said:
Hi everyone,

I am in the beginning stages of getting all of my pre-req's and clearances completed. The Bariatric Group that I have chosen for my weight loss surgery starts with an initial evaluation with the surgical Physician's Assistant. I saw her yesterday to get the process started. I have most of my other appointments already set up over the next two months to get the rest of the clearances completed, as well as some previously completed clearances.

During my appointment with the physician's assistant we discussed the three types of surgeries that this group offers, which as the bypass, gastric sleeve, and the lap band. I have no interest in the lap band. I went into the appointment thinking that I wanted the gastric bypass since I have 120 pounds that I want to lose. I figured since the bypass has a higher weight loss percentage, that it would work best for me. The PA recommended the gastric sleeve for me since I do not have multiple medical problems to resolve. Besides needing to lose 120 pounds, I also have been battling with PseudoTumor Cerebri for a year (diagnosed April 2016/Symptoms since 2013). The PA said that with the gastric sleeve the only long term deficiency seen was with vitamin b12. She said that with the gastric bypass has multiple vitamin and mineral deficiency that are associated with it. She also said that the very long term effects of malnutrition are not known with the gastric bypass.

I am looking for some advice on which type of surgery has worked best for people needing to lose 100+ pounds. Also is there anybody here with PseudoTumor Cerebri that has had WLS, if so how has the WLS effected it? The physician assistant has made me second guess my surgical choice.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
I had the RNY-gastric because of being diabetic. On my three month post op appointment my vitamins from blood work was fine. I wasn't deficiency in any. So it should be your decision. My sister had the sleeve and doing very well. But always remember we still have to to the work and make the right choices.
 
Marty G said:
The PA when I had my Initial Consultation did almost the same thing. she explained the different procedures, said she wasn't trying to persuade me one way or the other, really seemed to push the SG and de-emphasize the RYGB. It has also confused me. Now my surgery is a few weeks away and I still have not made the final decision although I am still leaning toward the RYGB, mostly because of Type 2 Diabetes. My Pre Op is in a week and I will have a good talk with the surgeon.
Click to expand...
I had RNY on Sept. 13. I am off insulin and any diabetic meds. I still hurt a lot, but I know it will be worth it. Just my .02 worth
 
I had Bypass with only medical issues being need to lose 180# and high cholesterol. I was lucky considering my weight. In 10 months I have lost 130#. Due to mental health issues, I have to take 4 meds that cause weight gain, so my weight loss has been slower than normal. Because of this, I am glad I did choose the Bypass. My only vitamin deficiency has been Vitamin D, but I had that prior to surgery. If you take the bariatric style vitamins, malnutrition is less of a factor now days, I believe.
 
I must say. Ive made the right choice with the sleeve. If I were to have gotten the bypass and how successful it is on diabetes I would probably have been hospitalized for low blood sugar. I struggle with my glucose daily to keep it above 70. So I think the sleeve was my better option even though I wanted the RNY at first. It's good to know of all the success the WLS provides, huh?
 
Carolyn337 said:
I must say. Ive made the right choice with the sleeve. If I were to have gotten the bypass and how successful it is on diabetes I would probably have been hospitalized for low blood sugar. I struggle with my glucose daily to keep it above 70. So I think the sleeve was my better option even though I wanted the RNY at first. It's good to know of all the success the WLS provides, huh?
Click to expand...
I had hoped you were over your struggles. It is definitely a good thing you didn’t have Bypass. Has your doc ever figured out why you are struggling so much?
 
Christine Seese said:
I had hoped you were over your struggles. It is definitely a good thing you didn’t have Bypass. Has your doc ever figured out why you are struggling so much?
Click to expand...

Nah. I'm not over this sugar mess just yet. I get little feed back from everyone on my medical team to eat this and that. That's all fine. This and that tastes great. But I might as well always have food or drink going down my throat to keep the sugar up. Its not gonna happen. I need to be healthy first. Right? Today wasn't so bad. Lowest it got was 79.
 
Carolyn337 said:
Nah. I'm not over this sugar mess just yet. I get little feed back from everyone on my medical team to eat this and that. That's all fine. This and that tastes great. But I might as well always have food or drink going down my throat to keep the sugar up. Its not gonna happen. I need to be healthy first. Right? Today wasn't so bad. Lowest it got was 79.
Click to expand...
I guess that’s not too bad. Did you have blood sugar issues pre op?
 
dancinbr said:
With all due respect to the PA at your weight loss center, the gastric bypass is the gold standard to this date. The sleeve is gaining more information and that is good.

As to all the malnutrition concerns, after gastric bypass surgery you are then prescribed supplements that you must take for the rest of your life. These supplements counter the malnutrition that you would have with the gastric bypass if you didn't take the supplements. This is a factor. I take one key supplement from Bariatric Advantage that covers the spectrum of vitamins and minerals that I must sustain. Additionally, you will be tested annually to assure there are no deficiencies happening. If so, your Doctor would make adjustments accordingly.

The other key reason I went with the gastric bypass is I have diabetes type 2. The gastric bypass immediately controls type 2 diabetes. The day after surgery I was able to come off all the diabetic Rx's as well as the fast insulin I was taking as much as 90 units. I have tested with my A1c now for 3+ years and I have been right at 6.0. Could I get it lower sure. Many times I am in the upper 5s and this is with no meds at all. I am happy and my Doctors are happy. My cardiologist is delighted with the improvement in my overall heart health as well as what appears to be reversal of my heart disease. I have up to 50% blockage but it appears that this is stabilized and may be coming down now. We will see. I go for annual echo cardigrams. I have done calcium scores and cardiac catscans as well.

There is a better success rate with the gastric bypass demonstrated over many years of data collection. This is why it is still the "gold standard". Perhaps some day, the gastric sleeve will prevail. It is still too early to tell.

Best wishes, Ralph
Click to expand...
hi I'm new my name is Pam I am trying to figure this all out also they got me down for sleeve,never even ask me at all,so can I say what I want,I have to lose 17 more pounds before surgery due to insurance,,I do have lots of health issues...
 
PAMELA WALLACE said:
hi I'm new my name is Pam I am trying to figure this all out also they got me down for sleeve,never even ask me at all,so can I say what I want,I have to lose 17 more pounds before surgery due to insurance,,I do have lots of health issues...
Click to expand...
My Dr gave me the choice, I went with gastric bypass because of all my health problems, most of them went away, I was just to my regular PCP, and he told me that he will see me in a year, I used to go ever 3 or 4 months, yay for me
 
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