bypass vs sleeve!

[wencho]

Hi Wencho

Yes I was down for the bypass but not going ahead for now. (long story but posts are on here).

When I started looking into it and when to the first class, there was no mention of the sleeve, so I dont know much about it. I hadnt even heard of it until recently.

My problem is sweet things. I originally asked for the band but was told a bypass would be better. To be honest I think now they are moving away from the bands. Thats what I was told by the surgeon at SRH anyway. They are too easy to bypass with bad foods.

Main differences as far as I can see is that with bypass you MAY dump (but no gaurantee on which foods will cause it - could be sweet things / could be bread / pasta). You lose the duodenum (or part of it), so don't digest things properly.

The sleeve is a bit less invasive. All the digestion parts are left intact, so there is no risk of malnutrition, but half of the stomach (sideways on) is removed to leave more of a tube shaped stomach (hence the name "sleeve").

so given the choice again do you think you would have chosen the sleeve and went ahead with it?
very brave decision to cancel but also very wise if you were unsure!

 

[Mixman]

I really don't get how different information gets passed around. You can dump with the sleeve, I've always been told that and I have experienced it!

 

[barbara18]

hi, i originaly wanted the band but due to my eating habits at the time i was advised to have the bypass, im so glad i went with the surgeons decision as i really had a bad sweet tooth and now i dont crave any at all. so im happy i went for it, good luck with what ever you choose to go with.

best wishes barbara xx

 

[wencho]

would it be wiser for me to just say to the surgeon im unsure of which op would suit me could you reccommend??

 

[Deets]

your best bet is to be honest with the surgeon and see what he recommends. Ask him why he suggests that particualr surgery and go from there x

 

[wencho]

if im 100% honest i dont care/mind which op he thinks would be best aslong as i get 1 and aslong as it is the safest and most effective 1 for me ....think i will let him have most of the say but will be taking into account all the info im given on here before the final desicion is made

 

[TessG]

I wanted a band but was told a Bypass was better but I insisted on a sleeve as kind of a happy medium. I have lost weight but not very quickly, but this is giving my skin chance to sort itself out as I go. I am quite sick and experience something like dumping- although I don't know what is causing it! I also have developed gallstones- but I think i have had them for a long time.

Would I have the sleeve again?

Yep absolutely! It isn't easy. It isn't pretty. But it has probably saved my life!

 

[bobsbigboy]

Decisions Decisions!!

Hiya, I know how you feel about this subject. It's hard to know what's right and wrong. When my funding was first agreed I was convinced that I wanted a band fitted, the thought of being under the knife scares me very much. So I thought the shorter the better and less complications. OK that was then. I went for my pre op assessment in January still convinced the band was for me.

I met with the specialist nurse and the surgeon and told them my fears and my thoughts, and one of the final things they said to me was it is your decision, but don't rule out a bypass at this stage. They gave me a load of bumf to read and digest.

I read the guidelines of both ops and suddenly I realised that I fitted into the bypass category much more than the band. my BMI at that time was 55, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, snorer, grazer, back problems big time. So I sat and watched some bypasses on You tube and so many episodes of the fat doctor I swear I could the op myself now!

Anyway the main points that swayed my decision are, with a band it is much more reliant on you and your eating habits have to disciplined but there is the option to abuse it if you so feel like it, and they say the weight loss is not so much.

I was just short of 27stone and the reason I got like that was because of no self control or discipline, mainly through grazing or portion size. With the bypass there is less room to be undisciplined and you must follow the rules or pay for it (dumping) and the thought of that is not nice to me. So you are less likely to cheat and rather stick to the regime.

Ever since then I have convinced myself that is the one for me. This was confirmed even more when I watched the program about Britain's Fattest Man, to see what he had to go through and how he was afterwards aside from his emotional problems caused by the social services withdrawing his care package. It has changed his life dramatically. I told myself that could be me and that is going to be me.

I have my op this coming friday and I am pooing my pants and a bit fragile at the moment, but I have to look at the long term, which could be a short term without the op.:cry:

Sorry this is like war and peace now I better shut up, but I hope this helps you a bit. Good luck in whatever you decide. xx

 

[TessG]

I have my op this coming friday and I am pooing my pants and a bit fragile at the moment, but I have to look at the long term, which could be a short term without the op.:cry:

Goodluck on your op. I was so scared before mine, I nearly rang up and cancelled but they rang me first and brought my op forward 5 days so I only had 2 days notice! I gritted my teeth and new I HAD to do it. It was a good decision!

 

[bobsbigboy]

Goodluck on your op. I was so scared before mine, I nearly rang up and cancelled but they rang me first and brought my op forward 5 days so I only had 2 days notice! I gritted my teeth and new I HAD to do it. It was a good decision!

Thanks very much for your good wishes, it's the waiting that does it, already completed my first week of the milky diet, so I have to go for it now and worry about it afterwards. Take care xx

 

[wencho]

at what stage did you know you def had your funding?
There has been a few dif answers when i have brought this up and im left confused still lol.
Good luck with your op....make sure you keep us updated!!!!!

 

[chelleN]

i went with bypass because i to as others have stated did not feel i had the will power that would be needed for the band. I wish you luck in your decision

 

[wencho]

the band is not an option for me im stuck between sleeve and bypass, im thinking the bypass seems to be something that would suit me the most and like you say about will power that wont matter which is a good thing!
have you had your op yet?

 

[bobsbigboy]

at what stage did you know you def had your funding?
There has been a few dif answers when i have brought this up and im left confused still lol.
Good luck with your op....make sure you keep us updated!!!!!

Hiya again,

My Application was started by my GP on Nov 11 2010, it went straight to the PCT because I fitted all the requirements, they actually contacted him to see where it had got to. It just 2 weeks to get a decision for the funding. Things maybe different all over the country though. Here in Dorset they are very Pro Surgery for the right patients.

Thanks for your wishes I will keep you updated. Good Luck again. I am sure none of us will regret it in the end. x

 

[wencho]

so who told you that you had your funding? at the seminar? or by letter? or nurse? or your doctor?

 

[bobsbigboy]

funding

so who told you that you had your funding? at the seminar? or by letter? or nurse? or your doctor?

I got letter straight from Dorset PCT, telling me I ha been approved and referred to Bournemouth Hospital Bariatric Unit. It was quite funny cos I had been to the doctor in the morning for a diabetic check up and he asked me if I had heard anything, and when I got home the letter was on the mat.

 

[wencho]

i have a letter with the referal to the bariatric unit at north tyneside hospital but i cant see anything on it that says im approved for funding??

 

[bobsbigboy]

i have a letter with the referal to the bariatric unit at north tyneside hospital but i cant see anything on it that says im approved for funding??

I think I would take that as an indication you have been approved, if they gave you a name for the Surgeon, you will probably go for a pre assessment where they will ask you why, when and how and the ins and outs of a ducks backside. They want to make sure you are emotionally and mentally ready and there is no underlying reasons etc. I was just honest and told them I was fed up like this I have 9 year old daughter who I think the world of and I want to be around to see her grow up. Can't argue with that really. I told them I was scared and they told me they would be worried if I wasn't. From then I was put on the waiting list at the mercy of the hospital appointment system. I only got 3 weeks notice for the op, the first week I had to see the dietician, Nurse specialist and Anaethsatist. All my bloods and other tests were done at the pre assessment.

 

[Denise Morris]

I was originally geared up for bypass but ended up with sleeve, I felt band would be no good for me due to reflux/heartburn and as part of work up for bypass had to have gastroscopy which showed inflammation and biopsies confirmed for umpteenth time helicobacter pylori infection. Although I had eradication therapy I did not fancy having stomach stapled off in case it developed again so asked if he could do combined sleeve and bypass for me but that was too risky in one operation so after discussion with surgeon opted just for sleeve.
It works great for me as I was a large portion eater which I can no longer do, I did not have a particularly sweet tooth but do eat a bit chocolate/couple of biscuits maybe once/twice week and suck mints to help combat dry mouth. My average weekly loss 1-3lbs which is nice and steady for me. I can't say I ever feel hungry but do get a sensation of being empty from time to time!
The other advantage in no vit B injection (did not fancy that at all) although I do take multivitamins alternate days just to help supplement what I get in diet.

If you discuss your concerns with surgeon I am sure you will come up with whats right for you so good luck.

 

[wencho]

yes i have the name of the surgeon....BUT....it says please bring with you the enclosed questionnaires which will be used 2 assess your suitibility??? and evidence of weight loss course if attended already (which i am over half way through).
i have written on the bit thats asks WHY....to improve my lifestyle and prevent any medical problems and to be alive for my children and to feel able to apply for jobs that requires a uniform!!!!
how does that sound as a reason??