How did you decide what surgery to have?

@inezmarie,

Great question.
I started out at one clinic (Gunderson) and they recommended the sleeve, then due to insurance change I started process again at Mayo, they recommended Roux-en-Y. It is hard decision. I did Roux-en-Y.

You will lose weight with both, but faster with Roux-en-Y. You will risk nutrient deficiencies with both and require vit and supplements, have to monitor more closely with Roux-en-Y.

Roux-en-Y is a major surgical procedure. Will require a longer recovery time. If you have other medical conditions or previous abdominal surgeries, they will need to be discussed with surgeons about your risk for surgery.

Roux-en-Y is reversible in event of complications, but not a simple surgery. The gastric sleeve is not reversible.

Not sure if difference in insurance coverage, that would be question for insurance company.

Talk to your care team if they recommend one over the other in your situation. Do you have specific risk that might affect your choice. In end, it will be your decision unless there is medical reason cannot do Roux-en-Y.

Do you have any specific question about either?

One of the biggest deciding factors for me is I have heart burn and many patients who get the sleeve have had more heart burn than the Roux-en-y.

@inezmarie, did you decide which surgery option is best for you? What helped your decision?

In 2016 at 289 lbs my doctor said he would do the sleeve but I wanted the bypass. He said sleeve was better nutritionally, and I would not lose as much but since I was under 300 lbs it would be plenty of weight loss. So I had no choice....until.....he did the sleeve Dec 2016 and I ended up with a complication. He cut my sleeve too thin, and it strictured. I was in the hospital 8 days with a twisted sleeve, and they finally had a gastroenterologist put in a Stent to open the sleeve up so I could get liquids through. They took it out 60 days later, I had already lost 60 lbs. Fast forward to 2019...I was at 185 lbs and the stricture returned with a vengeance. My baruatric doctor would not fix it as I needed to be reverted to a bypass in order to remove the stricture. So I found another surgeon and she was amazing! In June 2019, at 165 lbs I went in and she removed the structured problem sleeve piece and converted me to a bypass. Fast forward to Sept 2024 and I am 52, F, 5'8", 144 lbs, size 6, living my best life! I have T2 diabetes so I take a weekly GLP1 shot (Mounjaro) and that keeps all my weight off and I never gain. So YOU decide what is important to you!,They also have these awesome weight loss weekly shots out, and I know I would have changed my WL journey if these had been out easier! Good luck to you!!