Sleeve or Gastric Bypass

Hi, I'm going to have surgery in October 08. I keep going between the Gastric Bypass and the Sleeve Gastric (also called Mini Gastric Bypass). I've read several articles on both.. I was wondering if anyone on here has had the sleeve, if so - do you regret having that over the Gastric Bypass Or not? My Dr said that all 3 surgeries are successful - just depends on what i want to live with - Lap Band - having the band in the rest of my life, Gastric Bypass - the dumping syndrome or the Sleeve..which the weight you loose is between the lap band & GB. Would like opinions.. Thanks!

I'm planning to get a sleeve in Oct. I looked into the lap band first. I never really considered Gastric Bypass. I don't want malabsorption. All WLS interfere with the production of ghrelin, the hormone that makes you hungry. But the sleeve is the only one what removes the fundus, which is the part of the stomach that produces most of your ghrelin. People who get sleeves report just not being hungry. Since my big problem is hunger, that appealed to me. It also restricts the amount of food you can eat just like bypass and the band. Short term and long term weight loss with a sleeve is comparable to GB, but it's not nearly as dangerous. There are no long-term complications. Short term complications -- leaks and strictures -- are rare. Also, the part of the stomach that you are left with isn't as stretchy as the part you are left with with a bypass so the chances you stretch out your new stomach and start regaining are less. All WLS can be gotten around. Certain foods are high in calories but slide right through your system. Bypass has the added component of malabsorption so if you do things like that, you won't gain as much as someone who has a band or sleeve who eats around it. Or maybe you'll dump. Dumping is one of those things that some people think is a disadvantage and some thing is an advantage. But the problem is, you can't count on it. Some people dump at first, but then grow out of it. Some never dump. Some dump forever. You don't know which you'll be until you have the surgery. The nice thing about the sleeve is that it started as a 2-part operation for people too sick to get bypass or DS. So you can start with it and then if you find you need the malabsorption later, you can do the second part. But if you don't need it, you've saved yourself the complications that often go with a bypass or DS. That's my take on it anyway.

I had done alot of research and was sure that the sleeve was for me....well my surgeon discussed all options with me again and we decided that I will have better results with the RNY.  The malabsorbtion worried me but he assured me I would do fine.  I have a BMI of 58 and he felt that I needed the more aggressive of the procedures to be as successful as I am aiming to be.....
All in all you need to decide what is right for you.  I do notice though that alot of insurances are denying the sleeve as experimantal-which is so not the case.  I cannot self pay and I know my insurance will cover the RNY for me so that helped me in my final decision. 

I am scheduled for RNY on October 10th, 2008, in Monterrey, Mexico, with Dr. Rumbaut.  There is a possibility that he will do the Sleeve once he gets into the area...due to scar tissue from past surgeries.  Whichever happens...I have decided will be fine for me.  I have researched them both and am ready for either one.  My sister had the RNY 6 months ago and has lost 100 pounds.  She is a new person...better health, more energy.

I need a couple of buddies to keep me on track.  Any hope???

Hugs,
Brenda