I don't know much about the sleeve. I had an RNY Dec of 2012. It was the best thing medically I have ever done for myself. I lost 130 pounds and my diabetes is GONE!
I don't have reflux any more. 3 years later I can eat about anything I want within reasonable amounts. I eat bread. I could drink wine if I wanted. I don't like wine. About all I have to watch is sugar and grease. They will make me sick if I overdo it.
I take vitamins daily and have no problems with the malobsorption. The malabsoption is what helps me keep my weight down.
You have to read everything you can find and make your own decisions. But for myself, the RNY was the way to go

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I would prefer the RNY because of the improved weight loss. It was the malabsorption aspect that scared me off in the past.

I had the RNY 12 weeks ago. The RNY was my only choice since I had gastroparesis, so I didn't really do much research into the sleeve. I did have reflux as well though and that is all but gone.

I have eaten bread and I don't recall seeing anywhere that I shouldn't have eaten it. I haven't tried any type of alcohol yet, but I may at some point. Some people have posted that they drink wine, so I am sure you can at some point down the road.

I also take my vitamins every day as well.

I am with SgtSmith in that I have to watch sugar and grease/fat. They will make me feel sick really fast.

I had the sleeve on June 2, 2014, so I'm almost at the one year point.
My weight loss has been excellent... since my first nutritionist appointment in March 2014, I have lost 134 lbs.

I spent my whole life yo-yo'ing on diets. This is the lowest I have been probably since college (and I'm 2 years older than you). The thing that we all have to remember however, is that this is only a tool. The REAL work to be done is in our heads. Having "dieted" my whole life, I clearly have alot of headwork to do, as I too have lost and gained and lost and gained and ....

I guess my point here is that this isn't just the next thing to try in a long list of things, it is a step that requires you to change your behaviors for the rest of your life - which in my opinion is where I always fell down in the past. I am vowing not to do that this time.

My choice this time is to stay away from carbs because I am mortified that after all of this hard work, I will slowly eat more and more until I am closer to where I started, rather than closer to my goal. So I have not touched bread, crackers, rice, potatoes, pasta, sweets, alcohol etc since that first nutritionist visit. So rather than look at this as what you won't be able to eat in the future, you should probably look at this as what will you gain in your life ? For one thing I assure you your energy level will significantly increase.

After surgery you need to adjust to your new life that has new requirements - protein, water, vitamins. If you don't there can be dire consequences, so its not just a matter of energy.

I highly recommend this book, which can help you with your decision making process - it helped me alot:

The Weight Loss Surgery Workbook: Deciding on Bariatric Surgery, Preparing for the Procedure, and Changing Habits for Post-Surgery Success
by Doreen A. Samelson EdD MSCP (Author), Arnold D. Salzberg MD (Foreword)

Best of luck to you ! !

---Rachel

I had the sleeve, and although I won't have malabsorption, I will still have to take vitamins my entire life. Same food regimen as well: proteins, liquids, no to low carbs and little to no alcohol.

The lived experience difference is I don't get sick off of sweets, carbs, fats or alcohol. No dumping. I can eat it all, and so, if you have food issues, it's easier to eat around a sleeve. Of course, you can eat around an RNY too.

Bottom line, either of these are only tools to help with weight loss, they will not do the work for us. Whichever way we go, it's helpful to get in a program or counseling that addresses the emotional issues around food too. Even if we're not an addict, we will have to make healthy choices for the rest of our lives to benefit from any weight loss program, surgery too.

4 1/2 years out from the sleeve, lost 125 lbs. the first year, and staying within 5-6 lbs. since.

I chose RNY based only on the fact that I am diabetic and it has the greatest success with that type.

I had RNY with no complications, have had no regrets and shed 173 lbs. Malabsorption is an issue with RNY so it is important to get regular blood tests. I had low vitamin K for a while but with supplements my numbers have come up. You can have wine, liquor, and bread - you might make yourself sick though, and alcohol can frequently become a cross addiction from food. NSAIDS don't go well with RNY but with RNY you can possibly shed more weight. Either way you have to make lifestyle changes and feed yourself healthy food. RNY and sleeve only work to restrict intact but do not stop unhealthy choices. Post op takes a good 6 weeks to fully heal internally. Energy comes and goes. Giving your body time to heal is imperative. It takes preparation and time to plan for meals each week. Snacks need to be pre-prepared and you always want to have protein first. Either surgery takes a dedication to making lifestyle changes. I'm coming up on 5 years and still would choose the RNY again.

Thank you everyone. There's a lot to think about! I appreciate your input.

I agree with Lcat4. I had rny almost 5 years ago this August and do not regret it one bit!

I had RNY in 2012 and had no complications and it is also the best thing I have ever done. I started out at 255 lbs and am stable at 175. I had hoped to get lower but am happy fitting regular size clothing and feeling great! I take my vitamins daily most of the time. I have had to up certain ones at different times such as D and B12, but I am 55, so thought I should be taking vitamins and calcium anyways.

Now, I have never ever been able to lose more than 20 lbs ever, and always gained it right back. I found losing the weigh almost effortless! I seemed like a miracle to me. My body would not let me overeat! I am just about 3 years out and can eat pretty well anything without dumping, so it's not as if you can never ever have a bite of bread or a sip of wine. Having said that, I try to keep to basics, protein, vegetables and fruit, but I do occasionally indulge. Some things I almost never eat at all anymore are icings on cake, I find it too sweet. I will never drink a whole pop, although I may have a sip. I don't order French fries, I find they don't go down well, and neither does most bread, although again, I may have a bite. When I drink alcohol, I have vodka and clams to (I am a Canadian after all, we love our clamato juice!). I generally never have more than 3 drinks ever, fills me up.

I think had I been more strict with myself, I may have met my goal weight, got within 13 lbs of it, but only for a few weeks. I just had a panni and tummy tuck. My energy was back to normal within 6 months of surgery and my feet never hurt when I walk now. I do exercise regularly, walking, water fitness, am learning to play squash, a little yoga and a little weight lifting. I try to do something 4-5 times a week for an hour.

I am also waffling back & forth between sleeve or RY. I originally thought sleeve because I wanted to lose a little slower and not be all re-plumbed inside. I am 66 and know my skin won't shrink much. But now I am not sure. I am afraid of sabotaging myself if I have the sleeve and start eating poorly again.

I am hoping belonging to support groups will help me succeed!

I had my RNY over 5 years ago, lost 175 lbs and have kept it off. I did briefly consider the sleeve, but decided I wanted the strongest tool possible to help me get to a healthy weight and stay there. I'm thankful I chose RNY (RNY also made sense for me because I had GERD and am allergic to most NSAIDS).

Although some people prefer the sleeve because they see it as less invasive, I think it is important to note that, with an RNY, you actually keep all your body parts. The portion of your stomach that doesn't receive food stays in your body and remains functional (it continues to secrete digestive juices but dumps them further down the intestinal tract). Reversal isn't easy, but it is possible. With a sleeve, a portion of your stomach is permanently removed from your body. There is no possibility of reversal.

Yes, going into surgery, I made up my mind that there were certain foods I would never eat again. I decided nothing I could chew and swallow was worth the physical and emotional pain of being over 300 lbs. Diet Coke was the biggie for me. I'm proud to say I haven't tasted one in 5 1/2 years and I don't miss it.

Worth it!!

JJ

After much thought I am in agreement with imiji4short...I need to strongest tool available! I have my consultation appointment June 9th and as of right now I plan to shoot for the RNY. It is so nice having this wonderful group of people who have had or are preparing for this life changing surgery to consult with. Thank You!

I chose RNY because it stopped diabetes dead in its tracks. This is not the case with some diabetics but now I am diabetes free and in the onederlands I started at a total of 279 lost prior to surgery to 260 now 6 months out 6/2/15 193. I find now it is easier to eat so it is a total mind overhaul. Working on the head... To get your guts diced up and go back to morbidly obese is not going to happen. It can though if I we don't work on this head issues. Chew ,swallow, chew swallow really I can do better in life then this.

I had RNY in 2011. I am not restricted from any foods and I have an occasional glass of wine or a cocktail - maybe one drink a week.. I just don't like the empty calories..

I will have to watch what I eat for the rest of my life, probably similar to everyone else who has success here.

Success for all of these surgeries is 60% of excess weight lost.

Good luck.