Band vs Sleeve

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Why you want to preserve your pyloric valve.

~Becky

Just forget what Yehuda said that is not correct. I've had my band for 3 yrs. The first year was fine, didn't lose much weight but no real problems. However starting the second year it kept tightening up even when I didn't get a fill. I had 2 ccs taken out 1cc at a time 2x but it still was tight When it's tight it causes you to eat whatever will go down as in creamy high cal foods. Seems no matter what I tried I just got tighter so about a month ago I had it completely emptied and finally I can eat healthier foods. The surgeon that unfilled me said they are finding about 20% can not handle the band, they are too sensitive and can't get a good restriction level. The problem is you don't know if you are one of that 20% until after you get the band.So I would suggest the sleeve as it works the way the band is supposed to but doesn't. Just make sure you check all surgery types before making a decision.

I'm just curious as to what you think is not true. I have seen you post on others threads that you would not wish a band on anyone.

About social life, I do speak from experience of being in my early 20's and having a restrictive surgery that caused dietery complications and made me feel like an outcast when out with friends.

I can tell you this. This is not the place you want to debate your surgery over. Everyone's got an opinon on thier favorite or preferred surgery and will argue and fight to try and prove they're right, instead of remembering that they once were FAT and should be supporting what ever decision someone makes to approach their weight loss. Look at the FACTS & Studies from the medical community and make your own decision along with your family and Friends!  With that being said, the BAND has worked for me. I don't throw up, I don't feel like **** you can see the port now that I've lost a ton of weight, but who cares. I can run, I can breath, I sleep all night, I take no more meds for High BP or High Cholesterol, I do not use a CAP machine anymore! I know it is only a tool to assist me in my weight loss journey. I know of people who have gotten the sleeve and lost nothing then had to be banded to lose weight or keep it off. I do not put any surgery down but I am glad I chose the band, I was on my feet within hours of surgery, I never took ANY pain meds, I've had 3 fills and it's a piece of cake. Will it always be that way ? I do not know, I only pray that it will be. I've lost 140 pounds in 6 months. I am happy. I've learned that no matter what 4 or 5 OZ of meat 1/2 cup of starch and 1/2 cup of veggies per meal ON A SMALL PLATE gives me the protein and the feeling of satisfaction I need. On the off moments when I am stressed I've learned to deal with it in other ways instead of eating. Any WLS is life changing and I hope that you make an informed decision and you get the support you need on that decision. Good Luck & God Bless.   

Hmmm....I  don't see too many sleeve to band revisions,,,,,but I see A  LOT of band to sleeve revisions!  I have seen band over bypass....most  sleeve revisions are to DS....a much better choice!  Just sayin'?

LIKE I SAID ! 
 Everyone's got an opinon on thier favorite or preferred surgery and will argue and fight to try and prove they're right, instead of remembering that they once were FAT and should be supporting what ever decision someone makes to approach their weight loss .

I'm sorry but you are 2 months out (according to your listed surgery date). You are still in the honeymoon phase.

There are people on here who have had the lap band for a year or more who are telling the bad that they have/are experiencing. I have been watching my sister deal with hers up close and personal, which isn't hard since she lives in my house. I've watched her pull over to the side of the road to throw up and throw up in a parking lot after having salmon (both from the same piece of fish). I've seen her throw up on the side of the freeway after eating chicken.

I'm glad that you have had a good experience so far and I hope that you continue to have as good results. However, statistically, if you are, then you are one of the few.

 I have read so much of people's experiences with the band, but what about Sleeve over the long-term. Has anyone had any complications? Do any previous sleeve patients worry about having the majority of their stomach removed? It's such a hard choice. A lot of band patients mention what went wrong and that having something inside of you is inhumane, but Sleeve is basically removing your stomach?!? 

Pre-op I could eat ungodly amounts of food. I would go to a restaurant and the portion would look normal to me. Do you remember the 2 for $20 deals at Chili's where you could get an appetizer, entree, and dessert? My boyfriend would complain, "ugh, let's not go there, that is too much food." In my head I was thinking, "what the hell does 'too much food' mean??" When I went out somewhere, I could finish off the bread basket practically by myself and then also polish off my entire meal when it arrived. My stomach must have been huge.

When I had the band and it would need to be unfilled for whatever reason, that big old stomach was still there, hungry as ever, and regain was insanely easy.

Partial and even full gastrectomies have a long history. I didn't need such a huge stomach (in fact, it was killing me) and would be thrilled beyond belief if it never stretches one iota larger than it is today.

Do I have any concerns that that big old stomach is gone? No way! Good riddance! Satisfaction with small portions is WAY better. Lack of hunger...WAY better. 80 lbs lighter (so far)...WAY better!

Please consider posting your questions/concerns on the sleeve board.

Best of luck,
Lindsey

ETA: Ah, I missed the Australia part! Chili's is a big chain restaurant in the States.

You won't find much long-term info on the sleeve as a stand-alone weight loss procedure because it hasn't been done as such for very long.  However, if you google "partial gastrectomy" (which is what the sleeve is), you'll find tons of info.  Partial gastrectomies have been done for decades to treat ulcers and stomach cancer.  And you won't find a lot, if anything, about negative side effects from the loss of most of your stomach.

Having said that, the sleeve is permanent.  Your stomach isn't coming back and it's not going to grow back either.  So once it's done, it's done.  The band is removable.

You'll need to take supplements with the sleeve because the smaller stomach doesn't produce as much acid to get the food broken down enough to be fully absorbed.  So plan on taking a good multivitamin, calcium and B12 supplements, and possibly iron, for life.  I suspect the band requires fewer supplements.

You don't have to do fills, which are expensive (and rarely covered by insurance) and time-consuming.  So be sure you have the financial resources to maintain your band if you go that way.

Bottom line, figure out which one best suits your lifestyle and your tolerances.