When I had RYGB 14 years ago, the sleeve was not offered. Not only that, but laparascopic surgery wasn't available.
So I had an open procedure with a 7" incision and my gallbladder was removed (with 7 stones inside) at the same time.
My recovery was the same as anyone who had major surgery. It was painful, uncomfortable and successful. I lost 35 pounds the first month, 25 the second, and 15 the third. I stalled for a few months, nut then continued to drop about 15 pounds a month until I'd lost 115 pounds, 14 months after surgery.
In this group, my perception of the sleeve is that it's worked very well for most people. It's less invasive and recovery is easier. But I haven't read many accounts of sleeve recipients dropping 75 pounds in 3 months.
That doesn't mean the sleeve is less effective. But I think there's less nutrient absorption with the sleeve because the path to digestion is favored by gravity. Maybe because it's less involved and uncomfortable, people can be less compliant with the sleeve. If you mess with the digestive path of RYGB, your body will protest bigtime.
Now, this isn't true for everyone. Your body may not react the same way. Depending on your starting weight and state of health, it can be easier or harder. Although my numbers were phenomenal, I started at 240. Someone starting at 300 or more might lose a lot more, quickly. But damage in an obese body is often more severe at 300 than 240, so a lot more discomfort can happen.
Still, people who have the sleeve give glowing reports, and thanks to laparoscopy, they recover faster.
In the end, its a holistic experience, and your personal motivation, commitment and compliance have more to do with your success than the procedure you choose.
I also grieved the loss of the active life I had before i got fat. I joined the YMCA, trained for mountain hiking and walked 7 miles on a treadmill, watching tv (it was an exciting election year) 6 or 7 days a week.
And i had to buy NEW CLOTHES, which, for me, meant haunting the thrift stores. I still have most of those clothes and dressing up is still fun. I bought a Slimsuit and constantly took photos of my fit, firm body for my boyfriend. He actually thought I was too skinny, so I dumped him.
Sleeve or RYGB: if you have a goal, it doesn't matter.
View attachment 3856
View attachment 3857View attachment 3858View attachment 3859