BAND OR SLEEVE???

 good morning all.....I am a new member, just started the process of getting approval for WLS.  I must say, I'm very scared, and confused.  I initially wanted banding surgery, then after two seminars, I figured long term, gastric sleeve might be the better route.  Now,, I'm leaning more towards the banding, less invasive procedure.  Reading post op problems from surgery has really made me lean towards banding.  I do not have a surgery date set yet, I would love to hear from some of you to get your feedback.  To tell you the truth, I am fat and healthy, the thought of loosing half my stomach bothers me....what am I thinking??  and, if I have banding, am I going to spend the rest of my life throwing up?? 
Fat and confused..................................

if I have banding, am I going to spend the rest of my life throwing up?? 

No, of course not. Not if you keep a reasonable fill level and practice good eating skills.

Jean

P.S. - I'm surprised no one else has responded to this thread - usually there are plenty of sleeve folks who are happy to share their views on this subject. Maybe if you post the same question on the sleeve forum, you'll get more replies.

 Thank you for your reply.  I am still in my decision mode...gathering all I can, and discussing with my surgeon.

Good morning. I just want you to know that I personally have not lost ANY of my stomach, and rarely throw up, and I've been banded for 3 1/2 years.

I agree with Jean. Poke around on the sleeve forums too. Get as educated as possible about both types of surgery you're interested in.

thank you for your reply

I am going on 7 years post op and I am confused about your post. The lap band is the only surgery where vomiting is prohibited because if done too frequently it can cause the band to slip.

What can cause frequent vomiting from the lap band? keeping the band adjusted too tight, this can be eliminated by talking with your surgeon and being honest on how you feel after an adjustment, ideally the lap band should restrict about 1 cup of solid food. Your surgeon should provide instructions and eating guidelines regarding chewing your food and foods to avoid that may cause discomfort.

Many lap banders find eating thick bread hard to go down, but there is an alternative for this by toasting bread, but again while losing weight bread is not recommend unless it is wheat. Again, vomiting should be a mistake or a rare event with the band, some people may report frequent vomiting if they are too tight or if they are living with a band slip, but vomiting is not normal with the lap band.

Many times external cir****tances such as the weather, the altitude, the TOM, time of the year, airplane travel, etc. etc. as well as for many of us, random band fluctuations, can cause varying levels of restriction.

Although my adjustments were done in a hospital with fluoro, I would still experience random tightening of my band despite numerous unfills. I experienced frequent vomiting with my band. One day I would be able to eat everything under the sun just like I was pre-op and then the next day I would get stuck on liquids. This is not an uncommon band experience.

I have never vomited with my sleeve.

Best of luck,
Lindsey

I have been banded for 5 years with some initial success. and lots of vomiting. I am currently getting ready for revidion with a sleeve. Not saying the band isn't good for most, it just wasn't a good fit for me. I think you need to keep reading and do research and ultimately decide what is best for you. Good luck!

 Thank you, this does clarify some things.

I really like my band but there is some things you must remember if you do this surgery.

No matter if you get the band OR the sleeve none of these surgeries will take away the head hunger, or the emotional eating IE stress, happy, sad and so forth.   WLS is not a cure for these problems that is something YOU have to deal with .   I am going through this right now for seven weeks and trust me its hard and its something I have to learn how to handle .  I smoked before I had my surgery so when I had these emotions I smoked and I smoked alot , I didn't turn to food like some of my friends on here did I turned to smoking. Well I got rid of that habit and now I have picked up their habit and now I know what it feels like to do this its a ***** .  I got reminded in a stern voice on Friday by my docs about this because I was going to go and get a fill ( I have not had a fill since my surgery ) .  A fill WILL NOT cure these emotions and he would not give me .  I am very thankful for my doc because if I am totally honest with myself I can eat a cup of food and be full for a good three hrs plus that is what the band is suppose to do , I was going to get a fill that it would help with my stress eating and it wont !!!!

You will need to change your eating habits. If you think you wont have to change then you will go into that operating room already a failure.  You have to change and it will have to be for life.  I am not saying you can never enjoy your favorite foods again. I do . I love pizza , its my downfall food lol. But instead of eating it 6 days a week I eat it once or twice a month now and its two slices and I am happy with that.  You will need to learn to eat your favorites in moderation and how often to eat them foods.  It's a balance act .

Exercise some people dont have to exercise to lose weight but if you would take a poll I bet more then 90% of people have to exercise to lose weight I am the same way.  Anyways its better for your body and you will tone up :o)  Find something you enjoy and do it. I do Zumba .

Just because one person has problems dont mean you will. Every surgery has risks and complications.   I know people from every surgery except for the DS that is not done around my area.  I know people with the sleeve, the band and the gastric that has done wonderful with their surgeries and then on the other hand I know people from each of them surgeries that has nothing but complications , gained their weight back, or didn't lose any weight.

Any WLS out there is a tool no matter what you get, there are risks , there are complications , there is weight gain,there is weight loss, with each and every one of the.  Do what is best for you , not me , not from other posters say  on here, not your family.  Do what is best for you and you alone that is all that matters in the end nobody else :o)

Good Luck in your decision !!!