Did you have this fear?

I am not sure if I want the Lap Band or the stomach sleeve. I am very afraid of the idea that the Lap Band could come loose or obstructed. IE... If I were on vacation and it came loose or it became obstructed and I had to go to the hospital. I would be very stressed. The what if's are very scary to me. Thank you for your help, Susan

Susan- There is a lap band board and a vertical sleeve gastrectomy board here at OH. Have you posted your concerns on those boards? I know trying to decide which procedure to have can be a very difficult decision and one needs all of the factual information one can get. I was an absolute research-a-holic before deciding on the DS. I had a sleeve gastrectomy in connection with the DS and it was one of the things that sold me on the DS. I really liked the idea of having a fully functional (albeit smaller) stomach instead of the pouch with the RNY. I have lost about 90lbs since July but in my case since I had the full DS I cannot say if it is the stomach portion or the intestinal portion that has produced the results. I wish I knew more about the procedures but I really do not know much about the sleeve gastrectomy as a stand alone procedure and I know even less about the lap band. For me (and this is strictly my feeling and not an indictment on the band) I did not want a foreign object in my body if I could help it nor did I want to risk the band eroding into my stomach. I wish you much luck with your information gathering and decision making. Red

Hi Red, Thank you for responding. I am leaning toward the sleeve because of my concern of the slippage and the other problems you mentioned. Also, I have read the information on both the sleeve and the band and the sleeve just sounds better. Do you mind me asking were you went for your sleeve surgery and who your doctor was. Thank you Susan

Susan- I had my surgery in Omaha, Nebraska and my surgeon was Gary Anthone. But remember I had the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS), which is the sleeve gastrectomy and the intestinal bypass or duodenal switch. As I said I have lost 90 pounds since July but I would be hard pressed to say if it is the restriction of the gastrectomy or the malabsorbtion of the intestinal portion that has had the most impact. I am supposing that it is the combination of the two. There is a Duodenal Switch board here at OH if you would like to know more about the DS. Red

Susan, Your fear is a very legitimate one. I have many friends who have lap bands. Only one has ever had the band slip and they think that is because she threw up all the time in the beginning and that contributed to the slippage. It was fixed and she is doing well. Now for getting food stuck. Anyone who has known many bandsters or done research on it knows that this happens. One of my friends went on a cruise and to prevent having an emergency at sea by getting something stuck his surgeon removed all of the fluid from his band during the cruise. He did gain about 5 pounds during the cruise but when he came home and got his fill he lost it all. There aren't many places one will normally go that would require such a drastic step but it worked for him and he would do it again. One other precaution is to wear a medical alert bracelet to identify yourself and the kind of surgery you have had and any precautions necessary. That way if you should have a medical emergency they can read the info and know what to check you for. Some others have suggested having a small amount of the fluid removed just so the restriction isn't so tight. That can eliminate a lot of obstruction problems. You may also want to post on the Lap Band Forum for more ideas on how bandsters deal with these issues. Kat

Hi,Susan, My son had lap band -- I had the sleeve. He has had difficulties with the band slipping after 8 months or so and the band will need to be removed. I believe he mentioned that he has not gotten fills regularly enough so tha band can get loose. I had the sleeve and like almost all other sleeve patients, am now maintenance free. Both he and I have had similar weight loss results. I agree with some of the other posters. Read the posts for both Gastric Sleeve and Lap Band and understand the issues before proceeding. I had the sleeve because that was the only option my doctor felt was appropriate because 1) I am older and 2) since I take a number of medications that need a full, working stomach attached without restriction to my esophigus (sp) so that I can swallow the pills whole (some cannot be crushed.)

Hi Susan, I've been going through the same thing--trying to decide between the lap band and sleeve. I've decided on the lapband and can share what I know with you. what convinced me that the lapband was right for me is the adjustibility factor and slower weight loss. I like the idea that I can fill and unfill it (although all say that shouldn't become a habit or routine and that the goal is to find a "sweet spot") and really "personalize" it. Slippage isn't really that common but it is important to follow the rules and dietary restrictions. Chewing well, taking small bites, no sodas. The more I read, do my research, and check out forums and boards (there's a great yahoo group called bandbuddies that is just lap band folks) the more impressed I am with the lap band. I am not concerned that it is a foreign body: rejection is non -existent, and I would rather have a foreign body that can be removed if need be than have organs removed or stapled irreparably. The slow weight loss is actually a plus to me. I've been on more quick weight loss plans than I can count. I want to use the band to help me control my eating; not lose the weight and gain it all back. . . again![and, believe it or not, it happens even after WLS!] What I am finding is that whatever surgery you pick, it is only a tool, not a miracle, solve all. We have to learn to stop living for food, making food our lives, and learning to eat to live, not living to eat. We're all different and thank goodness there are now so many options!! Do what you think is right for you, not what others tell you. Make a list of the pros and cons of each, talk to people who've had both, use the internet: do your research, read all the old reviews for both surgeries. It's interesting how the same issues surface. Many, it seems to me, are about the eating issues AFTER the surgery; fewer about the surgery itself! I think it's also CRITICAL to find a good surgeon. Go to someone who does lots of laproscopic surgery!!!! Not someone just beginning; you don't want residents or newbys working on you. Also, a good support program seems really important. I'm going to start going to one NOW before surgery. I'm also trying to get off caffeine and sodas and stop drinking while eating. I hope this helps. In the end, you need to decide for yourself. I'd love to know what you decide!!! All the best, Meg in Miami

Susan, I got the lap band last october and have lost about 39lbs so far, I gained 6 at Xmas... but am now back on my regimen......to be honest, if I didn't see the small stomach scars I wouldn't believe I even had surgery. I even went back to work right away....My one advice is CHEW...CHEW...CHEW... everything to death...don't swallow till it's mush...I forgot ans swallowed a small piece of chicken...it wouldn't go down, I dared not vomit and kept belching ...Lord that was scary!!! I just kept sipping a liquid till it went down>>>woohoo...never again my chest hurt for an hour! LOL Other than finding out that my "port' flipped over...I have not had 1 day of complaint and can't feel anything....so good luck with whatever you choose... Belana