Fail Lap Band--Considering VSG???

Hi All.
I got banded back in May 2007. The first year I worked my butt off, followed a diet and worked out quite a bit. I managed to get down from Op weight of 240.0 to @208.0. Never got lower than that. I had several fills and unfills over the years and got too frustrated to go on after Feb 2010.

Since that time, I have settled in at a weight of 235.0 Even completing a mini-triathlon and half marathon last year!

I am now considering scheduling/financing a sleeve and band removal next year.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE HAD TO SWITCH FROM LAP BAND TO VSG....

1-Does the Sleeve really keep your appetite in check? (Supposidly removes some of the Gherin hormones produced by the stomach)?

2-Does the restriction stay consistent throughout the day? (With the band I always had restriction in the morning, and by dinner could eat/overeat all I wanted).

3-DOes the sleeve strectch out--allowing you to eat just as much in a few months after the surgery?

4-Does the Sleeve make you "BP" or Slime?

5-Does the sleeve have problems with certain types of foods? With the band, the stuff I was SUPPOSED to eat (veggies, salad, meat) were hard to get down/got stuck after only a few bites--leaving me hungry and frustrated, whereas mushy stuff just slid on through!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLIES!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!

you should check out the revision forum here - which is much more active:
www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/

to answer your questions:

1- yes
2- yes
3- not there yet, no idea
4- no
5- none that i've experienced - but my sleeve is so small, i really have to remind myself to eat & then i only eat such a small amount with NO issues.

I just happened across this board from being on the VSG forum. I didn't even know it existed. He He 

Anyway, I have not had the lap band, almost did that one though. A good friend has it though and hates it. I had VSG 6 months ago and would happy to tell you what I know about it.

1-yes, I am rarely hungry and get full on a very tiny portion of food

2-It can fluctuate from day to day some but I always eat very little, like a yogurt cup fills me up full for like 4 hours

3-I am 6 months out and can eat very little still

4-I do feel things backing up a little in my throat if I over eat, maybe once a month. It's usually when I am out with friends and not paying attention and over eat out of habit.

5-No, I get full faster on heavy, hard do digest foods like steak but nothing gets stuck and I am never hungry but unable to eat. In fact, I am rarely hungry at all. When I do get hungry though, usually about 5 bites of food is all it takes to fill me up.

I opted not to do the band after watching my friends experience with it. She too only lost like 25lbs in 6 months and has all kinds of issues with it. I really do love my sleeve. If I were you, I would run to the doctor to have your band off and VSG done. Of course that's just my opinion but the sleeve is just awesome to me. The only issue I have had is occasional diarrhea, mostly if I overeat. It seems so much better than the band. It's not reversible like the band is but it solved my problems and I don't think the band would have.

I just wanted to offer what advice I could. I don't know if it helped but I thought I would share what I can. Good luck on your decision. I love my sleeve and would do it again in a hot minute!

I got ;banded on March 16, 2009.. I was a Band advocate.. Loved it... never any problems until 2 1/2 yrs out.. I had a slight fill. .4cc in my 10cc band (had already had 2cc in it from surgery day) felt good but 1 month later i had reflux and vomiting and slimming. I put up with that for 7 months, went for tests. nothing wrong. had the .4cc taken out. and have gained weight slowly. Hoping to have a revision to Sleeve. Have a doctors appt. Jan. 9 2014.. any advice?...