confused

Today I met with my surgeon as the second to the last step before surgery.  Although I have chosed the lap band as my surgical option, I really have mixed feeings about his choice.   Have any of you chosen the lap band over the gastric sleeve.  Have you been happy with this choice. Thank You.

 
I've had a band, you couldn't pay me to have another.

Why is this HIS decision?  YOU have to live with the surgery type long term, not HIM.  Does he only do bands?

Here is the deal, you are the consumer, YOU chose the surgery type.  You have to live with it for the rest of your life you choose the surgery type.

Check out this thread, much info there:

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4341656/looking-to-here-from-long-term-banders/

Yes, I chose the Lap Band over the sleeve, lost weight the first year, had complications, regained the weight over the next year, and revised to the sleeve in just under 3 years.

You should post this on the Lap Band, VSG, failed WLS, and revision boards.

Good luck,
Lindsey

Worst choice I ever made was the lapband. Just had it removed on Feb. 11th due to complications. REALLLLLLLY research it. It may be good for some but definately is not good for must. Email me if you want to know more
Gina

Sweetheart, the band is a waste of time and money in co-pays.  I know this because I had one for 3 years.  And going to the band forum will get you no where fast. 

I've said this before and I'll say it again; Going to the band forum and asking if you should get a band is like walking into St. Patricks Cathedral and asking if you should become Catholic.  They are going to recruit you.  Period.

Think for yourself.  I have no idea how much you have to lose but if you're not very very heavy, I'd stick with a VSG.  If you've got over 100 to lose, look into a DS. 


Best of luck to you 

Your best bet (as others said) is to check out each of the forums for the good,the bad and the ugly on each procedure.

I've had my lapband for 5+ years, down 80 pounds and leading a normal life.  I love my lapband and would do it again in a heartbeat.

That said, every procedure has it's pros and cons.  You have to do your research and be honest with yourself about what will and won't work for you.  The lapband does it's part for me, making me feel full, and I do my part by not surrounding myself with chips, cookies, ice cream, etc.  Still can and do have them in moderation but it's up to me to choose high-quality food over junk food.

Good luck with your decision,

I had the band for 3 1/2 years.  I had a leak, slip, hernia, and the tubing broke apart in my body.  I gained back half of what I did manage to lose.  I was in extreme pain from the band.  The sleeve has been so great for me.  I have control over food and I am losing weight.  Plus, I feel so great.  I never experienced that with the band.  Please really think about this decision.

Skip the band and go straight for the sleeve. The band is a waste of time and money. You'll end up having to revise to the sleeve anyway once the band doesn't work. Save yourself having to go thru 2 surgeries, do the right one the first time!

Check my blog for information on both the band and the sleeve. I've had both, and lost additional stomach tissue during my revision because of the damage the band did to my stomach in 8 short months. . .

It's YOUR BODY, YOUR FUTURE, YOUR LIFE ! ! ! I've sent a friend request to you so you can access to my blog. Find the entry that is labeled Lapband information, it's not just personal experience. It's a study from the makers of the band showing that 1 in 4 band patients will need another surgery to either repair, replace, reposition, or remove the band within the first 3 years. NOT good stats.

I lost 23lbs with the band the first 2-3 months, gained back 16lbs during the 5 months waiting on my revision because it got to where I couldn't eat decent food and had to live on sliders because well I'd puke on water some days. With the sleeve, I've lost my hunger, I eat anything and everything I want in small portions, and have zero food restrictions. I lost 115lbs in 6.5 months to get me to goal, and dropped another 25ish pounds over 4 months to get me into maintenance, and I've been easily maintaining for almost a year now. The band is expensive and high maintenance for the lowest, and slowest weight loss stats with the most long term complications.

Think twice, cut once ! ! !

I would also recommend you look at other options - the band fails in 75% of patients either due to mechanical problems or poor weight loss. Revision are more risky so go with something a little more durable the first time around.

Good luck!