Help needed Band was scheduled changed to sleeve

I thought I was going to have band done.Turns out inurance wont pay for band but will pay for the sleeve. I havent researched much on sleeve since my intent was band. Please give me feedback whether good or bad.Im so clueless right now...........Thanks and God Bless

Well thats lucky!  I was going to get the band but my doctor told me about the sleeve and it seemed much better to me.  But most insurance wont pay for the sleeve (mine included).

Just read on here alot, there is alot of info here alone.

Hey, congratulations.  The sleeve is a wonderful thing.  I was also going with the band and changed  my mind and am so glad that I did.  There are many people that are having problems with the band and converting to the sleeve.  I am so glad and happy that I chose the sleeve.  Any questions, just let me know.  Cindy in ga.

I have had great results with my sleeve. I had my sleeve done 6/27/08
I am 53 yo and started out at 263 and was 251 the day of surgery. I have lost approximately 100 lbs and went from size 26/28 to 12/14. I have not had any problems eating or drinking (things I have seen frequently with the band). I liked the fact that it was at "get it and forget it" procedure in that I did not have to worry about fills or proper restriction and so on.
I am not sure how much you know or how much you want to know but this is a great place to ask questions. Feel free to PM me if you think I can help.

Hi - I have had the band and now have the sleeve and just love it.   Many of my band friends are now friends and many wish that the sleeve had been available here three and a half years ago, because while I had major problems before with my band - the sleeve is a no maintenance breeze.  Compared to them,  I can eat anything, I don't have to travel to my doc for fills, and I don't have to worrry about what could go wrong long term.    The sleeve is a walk in the park compared to what some of my band friends go through.   Just my opinion - it is all on my profile!

Marion

 My aunt had her band placed 2 days before I had my sleeve.  Her rate of loss has been slower and more difficult in regards to what she can't eat, she's having a hard time in attaining that "sweet spot" and I've gotten the impression that she's not entirely happy with her results.

On the other hand... my sleeve has been FANTASTIC.  No maintenance at all.  No fills, virtually no follow up care.  No "foamies", either.   Getting rid of the grehlin is a very big deal, too, especially early out.

 I initially started researching the band but when I found out about the sleeve, there was no comparison.  The idea of the band being "reversible" was appealing initially, but after further thought and research.... why would I want to reverse it?  So I could bulk up again?  No thanks.

At 7 months out, I've lost 92 lbs and counting,  with relative ease.  Relative to trying to diet without the advantage that I now have, that is.  Never in a million years would I have been able to get this far without this tool.

The sleeve is a bit more invasive than the band as far as the surgery goes, but after everything's healed up I'm not aware of anything that can go wrong down the road.  Gastrectomies are nothing new.  This procedure is only "new" as a weight loss procedure.  

Ok...I am new and having my surgery in a week....what is grehlin???

Shelly

 ghrelin is a hormone that is produced in your stomach.  It sends the "FEED ME NOW!!" signal to your brain.  The part of your stomach that is removed is the part that produces that hormone.

Just to clarify...the ghrelin is produced in the stomach that is removed...but it is also produced in the intestines...so some of us still feel hunger...but usually nothing like pre op.

Hi Welcome to the VSG Forum!
Not having the band is the best bad news you will ever get in you life!!!!!!!!! (In my opinion)  I do not have one bad thing to say about my sleeve.  It has saved my life.  In the beginning I thought I had wanted the band untill I started looking into it.  There are way too many problems with the band. Band revisions have become a big money making business for a reason. 

The sleeve is the safest of all the surgeries.  You are under anesthisia for apprx. 45 min.  That's all.  You do run the risk that all other surgeries have,ie; infection, leak.  My post op was uneventful.  I had liquid vicodin once when I got home and that was because I wanted a good nights sleep otherwise it was tylenol.  I sipped, sipped, sipped and walked, walked, walked. 

The weight melted off and now I have been at my goal I set for myself for 2 months without much effort.

Whatever you do, good luck in your journey.
Carole