Decisions, decisions...

I'm schedule to meet with an advocate for the lap band tomorrow morning.  I have done research and used this message board as ways to answer questions I may have had or see how others were doing.  I have felt that this is something that I want and should do to help me lose the weight.  I know it's more than just adding a band into my lifestyle.  However, the more things I read and see the negative things written and the possibilities of having internal issues later on with my stomach and esophagus, I'm beginning to wonder if I should consider getting the sleeve instead.  If you were lap banded, why did you choose it over the other WLS?

Thanks!

Fair warning many people will t ell you to run from the band. Yes people have had problems but in the end its your choice. I am chosing the band for my own reasons and I will stick to this decision. I pray that you get guidence and peace concerning your choice.

 

 

What are your reasons for choosing the band Journeyseeker ?

The reason I am choosing the lapland is when I started this journey some 9 years ago it seemed like the best one for me. I refuse to have my stomach hacked up and things rerouted. I have several friends that have had it done and have done great. I also have some coworkers who haven't done all that well bc eating wrong foods and not following up with the doctor in years. In the end simply put I'm choosing it bc for me its the best choice.

FOR ME, a lap band was the right decision.

I'm not saying anything against any other kind of wls.........many things spoke to me in making my own decision including peer reviewed medical studies, friends who have had surgery, this board, and the many people who don't post here because they've been successful for years.

I have no idea what type of pre-surgery testing other people have done, but my surgeon insisted on sending me to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.  While scars, ulcers, etc. can appear afterwards...it's helpful beforehand to have those color pictures of the lining of your digestive tract.  It can flag any "hidden" issues for your doctor(s).

I believe all surgeries have risks, and that you are always going to see more of the negative.  Honestly, a lot of people that are doing well don't take the time to log in and post much.  That being said, never ignore the negative....use that information to make the best choice for you.

I have family that has had the RNY and the Sleeve.  Both have lost lots of weight, both have had health issues they have struggled with.  That doesn't mean all RNY and Sleeve patients do, but they have.  I have friends that have had the band, with success and with failures.  I don't have any personal experience with the DS.  

I opted for a surgery that was outpatient.  I have a 4yo Autistic son and I wanted to be home with him that night.  I also needed to be back up and able to help him within a few days.  It was the best choice for me.  I also had a newer to the US procedure that doesn't seem very popular on here.  lol I have a lapband over plication.  My stomach was sutured so that it acts like the sleeve. 

Whatever choice you make, you have to gather the good and bad and make a decision based on your needs, wants, and lifestyle.  I hope you have success no matter which direction you choose!

 

Because I am a new band to sleeve revision. Would you mind sharing with me the health issues your family member is having with their sleeve ?

 Pumpkin, the family member I am referring to is constantly struggling to get her nutrients, which has caused health issues she has had to address.  (I think this could be an issue with any surgery though! lol)

Absolutely this can happen with any surgery. Is she taking her supplements ? When I was first banded back in 2006. They told me that all I needed a children's chewable once a day. My daughter was told the exact same thing and she was banded on the same day as I was.

Both of us became anemic,vitamin D deficient and I became deficient in calcium. Our surgical team was wrong for telling us to only take a children's chewable. I feel that even if you have a restrictive only procedure . You have to take extra supplements and not just a children's chewable because we can't eat enough with the band or the sleeve.

There is no way we can get what we need with the little amount of food we eat. I hope your family member gets better soon Heazer.

I chose the lap-band b/c like many others on here..........I fell for that "least invasive" crap! True, the initial surgery may be least invasive...........but then with the lap-band all the complications occur post-op. So NOT really "least invasive" after all!

Anyway..........after $15,000..............16 fills.............and 21 months.........IT HAS BEEN A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!

Since you are now considering the VSG b/c of hearing about all the band complication, I would suggest posting on the VSG forum also. You will find a lot of former bandsters on there. They can tell you how the VSG compares to the band from personal experience.

Good luck!