Help Please! Deciding on the band...

 Yes going on 6 years and my band is STILL EFFECTIVE and still working, I am grateful for that, the Lap band is still a GREAT OPTION for those that can afford it and don't mind all the maintenance and follow up that it requires. As long as it don't slip or erode I will probably go to my grave with it, as long as it is still effective I will keep it, but I ever can't get good restriction again, I will take it out and get the Sleeve Plication, but the downside to the Sleeve Plication is there is no long term studies on it yet or if will be effective long term, there are no long term studies on the Sleeve either on effectiveness but it seems very promising. I wish you good luck.

This Q is asked a lot. Basically, those who work with their bands and don't have complications can lose as much weight as they choose. Some people find that the band does not suit them - either they have physical issues or the lifestyle changes needed do not work out for them.

Those who succeed love their bands; some of those who don't do as well as they hoped tolerate them, some of those who had major issues hate them!

Check out the following. Despite the title it is pro-band! There have also been a few picture parade threads recently.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4305451/Cant-belie ve-this-band/

I had a band, now I have a sleeve. I'd be very careful about getting a band. They provide the slowest weight loss, the least weight loss, the highest regain, and the most mechanical problems. 25% have their band removed in the first 5 years and another 25% need a 2nd surgery to repair a mechanical problems in the first 5 years.

Actually, banding is not the safest. Not long term, the sleeve is far safer than banding. When you hear about the band being the safest surgery that is true, the actual surgery is safer than the sleeve by less than 1%. But long term the band has as many complications as bypass, just different complications.

Banding requires maintenance for life, sleeves have no maintenance at all.

Sleeves provide superior weight loss vs. banding and both are restrictive only.

Banding... people often spend months and months chasing down a sweet spot, sleeves you come out of surgery at your sweet spot.

Banding does nothing about the over production of ghrelin, the hunger causing hormone. Sleeves remove most of it so we don't typically experience hunger much.

Sleeves are far easier to live with, no stoma for food to get stuck and cause pain, sliming, foaming, and vomiting.

Bands are not likely to be around much longer, check it out:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/1189828-post18.html

The ASMBS doesn't give the band much positive either:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASMBS/20919

Be sure to see the revision board and failed WLS boards so you can see for yourself who is revising. Probably 49% are failed bypass people, 49% are failed band people, 1% sleeves, and 1% DS.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/failed_wls_second_time_around/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/

Keep in mind, many ins co's are opting for a once in a lifetime WLS. So if you get a band and have one of the many complications odds are you'll be self pay for a revision. Be sure to get the right surgery the first time.

Oh, BTW... sleeve plication and the VSG are not one in the same, plication is really a poor procedure type with very little hope of revising to anything but DS. The stomach slides through the sutures and dilates. If there is an ulcer or stomach cancer you can't scope the majority of the stomach. Reflux is common and if meds don't fix it there is really nothing you can do to resolve the problems.

Plication is a poor procedure with no long term studies, the studies that are available don't seem to be great.

OMG that is alot to think about! I am currently doing research on the sleeve since it is fairly new to me my main focus was on the band. So far I have heard only good news about the sleeve via the forums.  I am kinda scared of having some of my stomach removed. Once its gone no going back. That is a good point about longterm risks with the band and I was planning on asking my surgeon that question.
Thanks ALOT

I had the band, now I have the sleeve.  I can tell you that you will not miss your big stomach.  You may miss the vast quantities of food you can eat with a full stomach, but we get WLS because our big stomachs are what gets us in trouble.

Do lots of research on ALL the surgeries and good luck.

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4306873/What-posti ve-thing-has-WLS-done-for-you/#35492886 

Hey thanks,

I'm heading that way!

Make sure your surgeon does sleeves. If you are going to a doctor that only does bands he's going to steer you to a band as to not lose business. If he does all the major surgery types he's going to help you choose what is good for you.

It's a very personal decision, and one not made lightly. Talk to your doctor for some guidance . The band is a slower method of weight loss than the by-pass, but you still have your stomach directly engaged in your digestion.

You have to decide what you can tolerate, and if you want to watch calories and weigh yourself every day.

Whatever your choice, make sure it's well thought out and that you have your family's support too!!
Good luck and keep posting.....