Would you do it again?

 I don't think it works the way they make it sound..I'm leaving mine empty after problem months ago and got unfilled. I never thought a year and somewhat still trying to lose the same weight other than what I lost the 1st 6mos,.  Paying to see a nutriionist ..hoping this works for me. We are overeaters and the band is not the answer...This tool is very tempermental...when you least expect it...it pops out its horns and grabs you... How's that for a statment..Can anybody identify with me...

ME! I CAN!

Thank you all for the feedback. This is a tough decision as both are life altering. Very interesting though that I posted on both the lap band and vgs boards and on vgs there was 100% positive results. My father in law had the sleeve and is very happy and my BFF had the band and thinks I am crazy for even thinking of having part of my stomach removed. I watch her struggle with the band though. She does Zumba 4-5 times a week and walks every day. She is loosing weight, but has to go for fills and removals at least 1-3 times/month and is over a year out. She constantly feels nauseous. Not sure I want to deal with that. I appreciate all the comments and wish all of you ultimate success. 

You have to remember also that the VSG is NEW...the band has been around a lot LONGER for those who have had problems for issues to crop up....MANY LONG time VSGrs DON'T POST..especially those who have problems or those who have regained weight since the Sleeve WILL stretch.

If you search for VSG problems you can FIND them easily by going to the top of the page and type in VSG and TPNS, feeding tubes, strictures, leaks, dumping syndrome, etc, this happens to Sleeved patients just like, band slippage, and reflux and erosion can happen to lap band patients, I hope you are not solely basing your research on this forum alone.

There have been a few people that have posted that were 4-5 years out from their VSG seeking lap bands because they no longer had restriction......I don't think the decision is tough for those people that don't want their stomach removed, if you are seeking validation and justification to get the VSG which IS life altering and NOT reversible, you should ask those on the VSG board.

There are MANY very happy lap banders out there since it is the second most perform wls in the US, and first in Europe, you can find them on lapbandtalk.com and many lap band only websites, they are NOT here.

I wish you well with your VSG.

 I haven't decided on the vsg, still in the early stages of exploration. 

Hi,
It is a difficult decision and as someone said there is no perfect weight loss surgery.  I got my lap band a year ago on Jan 4.  At first things went well, but as soon as I started having solid food, problems started.  With little tightness, I could eat too much.  Then I was too tight and could eat or drink nothing and had a rough month of gerd etc.  It took several weeks after the unfill to recover.  II have had little of the productive burps because I chew very carefully.  The pain after the meal helps one remember not to eat too much even when it goes down easily. 

The foods that can't be tolerated are different for each person and the type of surgery doesn't seem to matter.  For me it is bread, tuna, eggs.  Eggs were my go-to high protein food.  

I had a fill in February which I think was too much.  I have not vomited, but my espohagus is burning all the time which probably means food is staying there instead of moving through the band.  I am sleeping most nights propped up because of the gerd.  I have resumed my medication, but haven't gotten much relief.  Since my weight loss had stalled out at 40 pounds for several months, I had hoped tighter would help, but I haven't loss any weight since the first of February even with the tightness.

I lead a gorup of WLSs people.  Only two of us had the band.  One person is very happy with hers and has lost 90 pounds, but she had a lot to loose to start with.  She has had no fills and eats a fairly large amount.  I saw her lunch one day and it was probably more than one cup. My story is above. 

I would not have the band again for several reasons.  One I have to travel about 100 miles each way to see my doctor.  At first you probably need to go every month.  If all goes well after the first year, it would be less often. I am tormented with head hunger and craving of chocolate which makes gerd very bad too.   When I know my own discomfort currently and all of the possible complications which seem to be very common, I regret not having the sleeve instead, but Medicare would not pay for the sleeve for me.

Some people in our group who had RNY have done beautifully with no problems.  Others have had strictures, ulcers and a lot of vomiting.  One man had an accidental ***** of his colon during surgery and had a massive infection and had his belly left open for treatment for several months.  The opening is now about the size of a salad plate.  He would do it again he said.  He is was int he hospital for about two months.  One girl was in the hospital pretty much from October to last week from bleeding ulcer, strictures and inablity to eat anything. .  She had a revision of her RNY.

So, as you see, it is an individual decision for me, I would go with the sleeve.

Run away from the band.

I wish I never got the band in the first place.  I revised from band to gastric bypass and I am very happy.

I spoke with a world-renowned bariatric surgeon just the other night. He said that if the band "only works for 5 years, then it DIDN'T work."  

I was considered a lapband "success" because I lost over 100 pounds. I lost those pounds because I was totally unable to eat solid foods. Ever. I was in chronic, severe pain daily... and it's hard to eat when you're bawling your eyes out.

Today? 6+ years since band removal... I've spent countless hours at doctors' offices, spent more money than I can afford trying to feel DECENT... not even GOOD... just decent; and have so many issues with my guts that I just don't even know who to turn to anymore.

So, while there's no "perfect" weight loss surgery, I can tell you in all honesty that the lapband is SO far from even being a good idea, nevermind "perfect."  It's torturous, dangerous and I fully believe that more doctors need to speak out against the use of them before we'll see any real results.  We're going to end up with a LOT of people who have permanent and painful damage if something isn't done.

I would not have gotten the band if I knew then what I know now.  I am 5 years post op and have gained almost all of the 46 lbs I lost due to complications with the band.  The heartburn, fills, unfills, etc were not worth it.  I still have my band in and even though it is empty, I still have food get stuck if I eat too fast.  I would go with the sleeve.  Best of luck!   

 I've had both the sleeve and the band and the sleeve is the hands down winner.

My only regret with WLS is that I wasted so much time trying to get my band to work properly. It has been smooth sailing since the sleeve.

I have never vomited with the sleeve, I have no food intolerances with the sleeve...with the sleeve my restriction doesn't change because its hot or cold outside, or because its morning or night, or because I'm in New Orleans v. Denver...it's just so much nicer.

Hang out on this board and see how bandsters do things, then come see us on the VSG board and see which theme fits better with you.

Also, check out the stats on the band...how much excess weight loss is usually experienced with the band? What is the likelihood of complications? How many people undergo follow-up surgeries for repair, replacement, or removal? How many people still have a band after 5 years? 10 years? That should help you make a decision.

Best of luck,
Lindsey