Vertical Sleeve vs. Lap Band

Also, within a month I felt so much better - it was amazing, I didn't try the Cymbalta right away so I know it wasn't that but the removal of the band.  Of course, my weight went up but I only lost 35 lbs anyway.

 Not trying to be unhelpful, just lazy. I have answered this question so many times! Go back and look at old threads. Some love the band. Some hate the band. Most are inbetween. No-one is right, no- one is wrong. 

A thread yestetday Confused about the Band has 106 replies! Controverial ones but that is 106 responses to your question.

Kate

I have had both and the sleeve is the hands down winner.

MsBatt is spot on about it being a normal functioning stomach, just smaller. This is a big deal. The lap band gives you a pouch, not a stomach. Healthy foods often get stuck and come back up while junk food slides right through. This doesn't exactly teach healthy eating habits.

The band has the poorest stats on weight loss and a very high post-op complication rate. Research is showing that at least 50% of people are opting for band removal by 5-10 years out. Plus if you have to have the band removed or unfilled, your big ole stomach is still in there waiting to be fed and regain is incredibly easy. Even the most successful bandsters require follow-up surgeries for repair, replacement, or removal.

Your surgeon has probably seen the poor outcomes of band patients and is trying to save you the same troubles. Do your research and pick the surgery that will get you to goal the first time around.

Also come see us on the VSG board.

Best,
Lindsey

That's the exact reason why he mentioned the sleeve, because of the poor results ppl are getting.  I would have to follow up every month w/ him and even if I worked w/ the band PERFECTLY I still have a chance at only 67% of losing the extra weight!  Whereas, if I have the sleeve, it goes to over 90%.  And I have to admit, I can't say I want to go back every single month without fail for fills and adjustments and x-rays, etc.  Not that I'm lazy, but really?!?  No wonder ppl are struggling w/ this.  I thought of it initially as the "least invasive" and "least scary" option to WLS.  But now I'm more scared of the life post op w/ the band than the actual surgery w/ the sleeve! 

He also said that I would be a good candidate for the sleeve because of my age (34) and being in pretty good shape (minus the weight) so complications are a minimal.  Just can't seem to wrap my head around the actual removal of internal organs and a much more invasive surgery. 

See why I need to be on here & asking questions.  I only want to do this ONE time!!

The surgical complication rate for the sleeve is only slightly greater than for the lap band. Ask your surgeon about his specific complication rate. However, the surgical complication rate for revisions (such as band to sleeve later) is significantly higher. So, yes, you want to make the right choice the first time around.

I know people have a hard time coming to grips with having most of their stomach removed, but once you are on the other side, it just makes so much sense. I eat now and can't even believe I used to have a stomach that held so much more. Life feels so normal now. I didn't need all that stomach in there.

I also think of it this way...if your appendix ruptured, you'd probably have it removed. If you had cancer that could be excised, you'd surely want that taken out too. If your stomach is killing you slowly via morbid obesity, well, then, cut that thing down to size!

Best of luck in your decision. Keep us updated, we will all be so happy to hear about your success regardless of procedure type.

Lindsey

I've had both the band and the sleeve and felt perfectly healthy except for being morbidly obese. I've had two lap bands and they both slipped, the second lap band eroded into my stomach as well.

My pain management team and various other doctors all believe it was the band that caused my fibromyalgia, as well as my IBS ( Irritable Bowel Syndrome ) I've experienced four IBS attacks in the last 5 days with a total of six in the last two weeks. I am currently in a fibro flair and having phantom port pain.

I had my band removed six months ago and with the exception of these past six days I feel so much better for having had it removed. Unfortunately I do have permanent nerve damage in both shoulders & neck, as well as the above mentioned complications all due to my lap band.

There are successful bandsters on this forum who will share their experiences with you. My success with the band was that I did lose most of my weight and I have kept it off, but I paid too high of a price for that success.

Unfortunately you don't know if you are going to be one of the ones that the band injures regardless of having it placed by an experienced surgeon in a Center Of Excellence like I did or if you will be one of the ones who have no issues at all with the band.

All I can say is research all your options and remember the band is not as easy to remove as it is advertised by it's manufacturers. Removal has nothing to do with the manufacturers, it's up to your insurance company and most of them are refusing to remove it unless you can prove
"Mechanical Failure " and they don't care how much pain you are in.

Good Luck with what ever choice you decide on.

Lisa