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Bypass (RNY) vs Sleeve

This is a big question for me. So RNY (bypass) is what most people think of when they think of bariatric surgery. It's redoing the plumbing so that some calories are not absorbed (bypassing the stomach) and attaching a small pouch to the intestines so you can eat less. It's considered the "gold standard" in weight loss surgery.

The sleeve (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) or VSG is reducing the size of the stomach (and removing 80% of it) making it the size of a small banana. This, of course, reduces the amount of food you can eat and prompts hormonal changes that aid in losing weight. (See drawing below)



There are benefits and drawbacks for each. The drawback for the bypass is there are some people who have absorption issues and some have issues with dumping (sweats, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea). The benefit is that you lose slightly more weight with the bypass (50-80% on average of excess weight). The sleeve has the drawback of increased reflux and is not as effective (averaging 60% of excess weight loss).

My surgeon is undecided about which I should have until the results of my endoscopy come in. So the issue with the bypass surgery for me is that I had my gall bladder/appendix removed when I was 18. I already get dumping from that surgery. I also already have reflux, which may get even worse if I get a sleeve. Add to that a hiatal hernia already in place. My surgeon plans to present my case to a panel of bariatric surgeons to see what is recommended after my endoscopy results. I also may have scar tissue from my gall bladder surgery and that may muddy things up as well.

I will update when a decision is made. In the meantime, I plan to do all I can to be as successful as I can in whichever surgery I have. The common theme I have heard is that those that follow instructions have the best outcomes. I'm not putting myself through all this just so I end up where I started.

Comments

  1. Girl you are going to rock that black dress! Much success on your weight loss journey!

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