Hello!

Marty G · Aug 8, 2016

I am just in the beginning phases of this process with just completing the first meetings with a NP, a nutritionals, and Physical Therapist at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. My recorded weight at that time was 292 and I was told I have to lose 5% or 14 lbs. before I can have my surgery. Although losing weight is going to be great, the main reason I am pursuing a surgical option is because of the effects of Bariatric Surgery on Type 2 diabetes and the very high chance that I can get off of all medications. My Doctor was the one who brought to my attention research studies showing that Bariatric Surgery, especially Gastric Bypass, as having a drastic effect on Type 2 diabetes. I went into this process thinking Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass was the way to go, but after meeting with the Nurse Practitioner, I felt as if she was pushing the Gastec Sleeve option, most notably because it has far fewer potential complications. I am now very much confused as to which course of surgery I should pursue. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to look to help me make up my mind?

Bailey67 · Aug 8, 2016

Marty G said:
I am just in the beginning phases of this process with just completing the first meetings with a NP, a nutritionals, and Physical Therapist at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. My recorded weight at that time was 292 and I was told I have to lose 5% or 14 lbs. before I can have my surgery. Although losing weight is going to be great, the main reason I am pursuing a surgical option is because of the effects of Bariatric Surgery on Type 2 diabetes and the very high chance that I can get off of all medications. My Doctor was the one who brought to my attention research studies showing that Bariatric Surgery, especially Gastric Bypass, as having a drastic effect on Type 2 diabetes. I went into this process thinking Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass was the way to go, but after meeting with the Nurse Practitioner, I felt as if she was pushing the Gastec Sleeve option, most notably because it has far fewer potential complications. I am now very much confused as to which course of surgery I should pursue. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to look to help me make up my mind?

Hi Marty

I am also Diabetic, and will be having Gastric Bypass done next month (Sept. 2016) - the opposite happened to me! I completely thought I would be having the sleeve done, and when I had the appt. with the surgeon, he immediately recommended the gastric bypass...I asked that he please explain why he thought it would be best, and the first thing he said was "because you are diabetic!" and this is the one we recommend for diabetics and went on to explain why...(to complicated for me to remember...) I later found out I had been talking to my future surgeon, who also happened to be the "Head of the Weight Loss Surgery Dept.!"

Just thought I'd share this

Good luck!

Linney · Aug 10, 2016

Marty G said:
I am just in the beginning phases of this process with just completing the first meetings with a NP, a nutritionals, and Physical Therapist at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. My recorded weight at that time was 292 and I was told I have to lose 5% or 14 lbs. before I can have my surgery. Although losing weight is going to be great, the main reason I am pursuing a surgical option is because of the effects of Bariatric Surgery on Type 2 diabetes and the very high chance that I can get off of all medications. My Doctor was the one who brought to my attention research studies showing that Bariatric Surgery, especially Gastric Bypass, as having a drastic effect on Type 2 diabetes. I went into this process thinking Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass was the way to go, but after meeting with the Nurse Practitioner, I felt as if she was pushing the Gastec Sleeve option, most notably because it has far fewer potential complications. I am now very much confused as to which course of surgery I should pursue. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to look to help me make up my mind?

Hello Marty and Welcome to the forum! It's such a personal decision to make when it comes to deciding which procedure best suits each individual differently. When I initially went for my psych evaluation, they advised me to go for the bypass because of my eating history and background with food. I would have failed with any other procedure and would have eaten through any other option since I'm a food addict. The ultimate decision is up to you, but as I said, I was advised and leaned towards the bypass for the best possible outcome for the best restriction possible, due to my addictive personality. The sleeve has awesome results for many people, who are morbidly obese and have resolved many physical ailments by choosing that procedure as well. You'll be so much healthier and whatever procedure you choose will enable you to learn a new and improved way to eat, making healthier food choices, and feeling overall physically better. All the best to you Marty. If you have a chance, please check out my blogs on this site they may inspire and motivate you as well!

Cheyenne · Aug 24, 2016

Hi Marty! (Hi Linny, how are you doing?)
Just want to let you know, Marty, I had the Gastric Bypass R-N-Y done lapriscopicaly in 2013 and I couldn't be happier. I stuck to my diet. My weight melted away, I lost most of my weight (200 plus pounds) in the first 15 months. I feel great, of course I never miss my vitamins, minerals and calcium which means a lot. Be sure you have a Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence, and go to a Hospital of Bariatric Excellence. That means everything! Now I can eat anything in small amounts which is easy because my stomach was made much smaller. Life is great! The only real problem with losing a lot of weight no matter how you do it is it can ruin your gall bladder because it processes the fat that leaves your body. But I had the gallbladder done laparoscopic too and that was an easy recovery (except the surgeon left a gallstone in me and it got lodged in my kidney duct and I had problems with that about a month later) that of course had nothing to do with my gastric bypass directly, that's caused by losing so much weight, but it was worth it to me.
Trust your surgeon, he's seen it all!

Cheyenne

Linney · Aug 24, 2016

Cheyenne said:
Hi Marty! (Hi Linny, how are you doing?)
Just want to let you know, Marty, I had the Gastric Bypass R-N-Y done lapriscopicaly in 2013 and I couldn't be happier. I stuck to my diet. My weight melted away, I lost most of my weight (200 plus pounds) in the first 15 months. I feel great, of course I never miss my vitamins, minerals and calcium which means a lot. Be sure you have a Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence, and go to a Hospital of Bariatric Excellence. That means everything! Now I can eat anything in small amounts which is easy because my stomach was made much smaller. Life is great! The only real problem with losing a lot of weight no matter how you do it is it can ruin your gall bladder because it processes the fat that leaves your body. But I had the gallbladder done laparoscopic too and that was an easy recovery (except the surgeon left a gallstone in me and it got lodged in my kidney duct and I had problems with that about a month later) that of course had nothing to do with my gastric bypass directly, that's caused by losing so much weight, but it was worth it to me.
Trust your surgeon, he's seen it all!

Cheyenne

Hi Cheyenne!
Good to see you online.....I'm doing well...had a minor setback, but I'm good to go now and better than ever! Feeling good and feeling strong. Walking, Biking, and hydrating. Gardening this year and ate a plant-based diet rich in protein. Hope you're doing well too! Excellent response....to Marty...I too had my Gallbladder out due to the same scenario, but thanfully I don't drink! LOL....One of the drawbacks of RNY Gastric Bypass, but no regrets at all!

Cheyenne · Aug 24, 2016

I used to have a drink once a year at New years, (love Stawberry Daiquiris, and Pina Coladas) but gave that up about 20 yrs ago. Lol now I just have them on the holiday without the alcohol.

I'm doing real good, just had knee replacement surgery about 6 wks ago and planning on having my other knee done in a few months. Life is good!

Linney · Aug 27, 2016

Cheyenne said:
I used to have a drink once a year at New years, (love Stawberry Daiquiris, and Pina Coladas) but gave that up about 20 yrs ago. Lol now I just have them on the holiday without the alcohol.

I'm doing real good, just had knee replacement surgery about 6 wks ago and planning on having my other knee done in a few months. Life is good!

Yes the knees.....my knees hum at times due to the damage I've done to them from my previous obesity lifestyle, but I'm holding off on another surgery for a while. I can live with them for now as long as I keep my weight low and exercise everyday, I'm good to go! Glad that you're doing well! Talk to you soon!

Katherine Turner · Aug 29, 2016

Marty G said:
I am just in the beginning phases of this process with just completing the first meetings with a NP, a nutritionals, and Physical Therapist at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. My recorded weight at that time was 292 and I was told I have to lose 5% or 14 lbs. before I can have my surgery. Although losing weight is going to be great, the main reason I am pursuing a surgical option is because of the effects of Bariatric Surgery on Type 2 diabetes and the very high chance that I can get off of all medications. My Doctor was the one who brought to my attention research studies showing that Bariatric Surgery, especially Gastric Bypass, as having a drastic effect on Type 2 diabetes. I went into this process thinking Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass was the way to go, but after meeting with the Nurse Practitioner, I felt as if she was pushing the Gastec Sleeve option, most notably because it has far fewer potential complications. I am now very much confused as to which course of surgery I should pursue. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to look to help me make up my mind?

I had gastric bypass six years ago. I did not have diabetes but that would have been next. Any weight loss will help your diabetes but roux and y is the only one that removes the part of your small intestine that absorbs fats and sugars.