If your reflux is due to a hiatal hernia, it should be repaired during the surgery. Most surgeons test for this prior to surgery. I had rny 16 months ago and had a hernia repair. No reflux since the surgery, no food issues, and lost 100% of my excess weight within the first 8 months. I'm at maintenance now. I do, however, have several friends who have had vsg with just as good results. I think you get out of the surgery what you put into it.

Second, the sleeve has a longer recovery time than the RNY. The sleeve has longer internal staple lines that take longer to heal. You'll be on your liquid and mushy food stages for longer than the RNY.

I think healing is very individual and not necessarily based on the type of surgery. I had sleeve surgery in October, and I had no trouble recovering or healing. I didn't even take pain meds after my one night stay in the hospital. I walked every day, and after four weeks my surgeon said I could go back to the gym, which I did. I have had no problems at all, but I have been following the program exactly as I should.

As far as lifestyle modification, this has to be done regardless of whether or not you have the built in checks and balances of dumping syndrome. Personally, I wouldn't want to rely on that. I know someone who regained a lot of weight after gastric bypass and he isn't affected by sugar or high fat foods like he used to be.I guess his body adjusted to those foods again. Also, not everyone tolerates food the same way, so what might give one person dumping syndrome might not bother another person. BEFORE you even have weight loss surgery, you have to make the commitment to make the changes to your lifestyle, regardless of which surgery you choose.

Which surgery does your surgeon suggest you get?

I had sleeve surgery in July 2013. I had severe reflux prior to surgery that turned out to be due to a hiatal hernia. My surgeon repaired this at the time I was sleeved. I have not had an issue with reflux since. Reflux doesn't automatically mean you can't get the sleeve.

I think both surgeries have their pros and cons. I had a sleeve almost 6 months ago. About 2 years ago my grandfather had an RNY. So I've kinda had to deal with both surgeries. The only bad thing that's happened to me from my surgery is acid reflux. Before that I never had any problem with acid reflux. Now it pops up every once in a while only when I'm sleeping. After 2 months it started the Drs put me on Protonix and Maalox at night. At worst it happens once or twice a week coughing up a little stomach acid. Looked up a few tips to avoid it like don't eat or drink before sleeping, sleep on the left side...Lately been reflux free for 3 weeks now.

The good things it did for me...Rarely hungry, ever. Everything digests normally, every once in a while I can drink alcohol with no problems. If I wanted to splurge and have a scoop of ice cream I can with no issues. During 6 months I've only threw up twice, strangely both times from fried rice within 2-3 bites. It just gets hung weird on the way down.

Now for my gdad and his RNY. He has no acid reflux but he does get some brutal (god help us all) gas due to the way food digests now. When he eats to many carbs or sugar the dumping will start and it'll be a race to the bathroom. He still has all his cravings and hunger, not as bad as it used to be but still there. He also does throw up a lot. Honestly though most of his side effects are probably more because he rarely listens to what the doctors say. He lost 90 lbs in a year with zero exercise.

The main reasons I decided to get the sleeve instead of the RNY. A lot of people say it kills your hunger (it worked on me). No carb/sugar dumping, no real gas problems since the 1st month after the surgery.

Good luck with which ever surgery you decide.