confused

 You are letting the surgeon make your decision.  The surgeon would have to be a saint not to go with the band.  He gets paid to do the band surgery, he gets paid to do the fills, he then gets paid to tell you that you failed and need a sleeve and then he gets paid to do the sleeve.

It is a money issue for him.  For you it is pain and failure.  Let him make his extra money on some other person and you tell him you want a sleeve or RNY or DS.  In a few years, the band will probably be taken off the market.  Right now there is so much money to be made on something that does not work for the majority of patients.

I was banded just about 2 years ago, have lost 180 lbs and am continuing to loose slowly and steadily.  While I do get impatient at times, I think slow & steady is the best WL option for me.

Being banded was the best choice for me at the time.  If sleeving had been available when I had my surgery, would I have chosen it?  I don't know.  I'm not real fond of removing body parts, but that is just me.  I don't disparage others choices, I'm very happy that there are various surgeries as we are all different and have different needs, wants, desires.

I've had no major complications from my band and no minor ones either come to think of it.  I don't keep my band tight.. it's not a strangulation device.  I keep it what I call "snug", enough fluid to dim my appetite, but I can still eat a majority of foods.  I am in control, not the band.

I'm confused about your statement "mixed feelings about his choice."   Do you mean that the doctor is making the choice of which type of WLS or was that a typo and you meant to type "mixed feelings about THIS choice" ?  If the surgeon is choosing, I'd have problems with that because it's your body and not theirs.

Research and be very sure about what you want. I had more than one physician want me to have a RNY.. saying I would lose only 50lbs with the band.   I have proved them wrong, wrong, wrong!!

Remember it's the ones that are having problems that are most often to post on the boards.  MOST of us who are doing well are out living life as smaller, more active, healthier persons.

Best of luck to you.

In my opinion....there's the good, the bad, and the ugly with ANY WLS you choose. I don't think it's fair for someone on this board to tell you "don't get the band cause it's a waste of money." Instead they should say RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH.  You may have the sleeve and be ecstatic about your results and the same may be true if you have the band. Or you may have severe complications with the sleeve or the band. Everyone is different and the body reactions differently for different procedures.

For me, it wasn't a waste of money at all. My insurance paid for the procedure and the first fill (some people only need 1 fill). If you have the sleeve, you'll have to have follow-ups too and I'm sure that's a copay as well. I wanted to have a surgery where I'm in total control. If I wanted to reverse it due to complications I could. If I wanted to adjust it, I can. If I want to open the band if it's too tight, I can. If you have the sleeve, there's no reversing back to your original stomach.

Some may also say they don't want a foreign object in them.  I'm a cancer survivor and had a port in me before for chemo so it wasn't a big deal to have the band.

I also lost over 100 pounds in 9 months so I'd say that's pretty darn good.

Ultimately the decision is yours and only yours. In the end I know you'll be happy with your decision. God speed to you!

Hi there,

Having mixed feelings about a surgery is not good. When I first started investigating surgeries I couldn't believe how many people told me to get a particular surgery because it worked for them. It is important that you do tons of research and pick the surgery (there are 4 main types: Sleeve, Band, RNY and Duodenal Switch) that you feel is the very best surgery for YOU.

I elected to have the band over the sleeve because I felt like it was the right choice for me to meet my goals. I am very happy with it and have no regrets.

Best of luck to you!

Trixie

Thank You all sooo much !!!!.  This is the first time that I have posted.  I am overwhelmed with the support here!!!!.  Will continue to research and find what is best for me.

I don't believe in bashing other surgeries.  It is a personal choice.  One that you and your doctor should make together.

I had lap band a little over 2 years ago.  So far I've lost 70 pounds.  Not long after I had the surgery, I lost my job and moved back to my home state.  Needless to say, all the stress caused havoc with losing weight.  However, I did not gain any back.  I am now back on track and losing again.

I chose the band because I felt the other surgeries were too invasive.  I wasn't comfortable with having my insides rearranged or removed.  What I really liked about the band, is that if there are problems, then it can be removed.  Once you're insides are rearranged or removed, they are very difficult to un-rearrange and certainly can't be put back.  But again, this is something you have to decide what is best for you.  I just wanted to share my thoughts and to tell you, I love my band.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I am self pay, so the money point is mute.  Please take your time, do your research and talk to your doctor again.

Good luck with whatever choice you make!!!