self payer and have the money for sleeve, would you still chosse the band?

Hello,

I have a band and I am currently waiting for insurance approval to have it converted into a sleeve.  I have had my band since 11/1/07 and am currently and steadily been holding about 8 pounds in addition to my pre-op pounds.  It is a personal choice but I too was horrified at the thought of having my insides removed/rewired/mutalated/rerouted/chopped up/etc all of those ugly words that people use to make it sound so bad.  In fact I am sure that it is bad but as another poster pointed out, if you had to have your gallbladder removed because it was causing damage, wouldn't you?  Since my lapband, I have had a hysterectomy (tmi) and recently had to have both ovaries removed. I am only 38 and I have had to have all of my female reproductive organs removed, so can I live with only a partial stomach??? I think yes!!!

I have not had any serious problems with my band ie..slippage, erosion and stuff like that thank GOD...but I have not achieved and maintained any weight loss.  I am not blaming the band because I did not make the lifestyle changes that come with the tool that was given to me. At that time I had heard nothing about the sleeve.  I heard about it from a lady at my hairdresser who had a revision from her band and she loves it.  I did a little research and by me already being on phentermine since July, I had my six months worth of weight loss history and again just waiting on insurance approval.  My band is full and I do have restriction, but it is frustrating not knowing what, when, and where.  What food will go down? When will I be able to eat and not vomit? Where will I be when I am eating and the food get stuck.  Everyday it gets stuck at some point of the day(some time it goes down, sometimes it comes up).  So I can't even eat healthy, it is so easy to resort to bad foods because they go down smoother.  I have to eat something right?.

I would strongly recommend that you continue to research and if you are a praying person, ask GOD to lead you in the right direction and ask him whatever his will, to let it come to pass.  You will get your answer.  Good Luck to you on your decision and your journey.

Shanelle

I was a bandster that self paid for my surgery. Original surgery cost was $16,500. I fell into that high percentage that needed a 2nd surgery within the first 2 yrs (flipped port) that was an additional $1500. Then there was complication from the port replacement (seromas) which required multiple follow up visits. Add on the cost of fills and unfills at $100 per pop and at 4 yrs out I'm still doing this.

Safe to say I wish I had paid off my school loans instead, or maybe have bought a new car.

My 4 year anniv with my band was in August, and I LOVE IT!  I have lost 155 lbs with no complications.  I had a beautiful baby girl in 09 who is just as healthy as can be.  I was able to only gain 12 lbs during that pregnancy and still eat enough to keep her growing!  

I was a Very tight size 28 pants and a 3x shirt when I went into this surgery.  I am now a size 12 pant and a meduim shirt.  Doesn't get much better than that!  I'm not the biggest girl in the room, I'm the same size as everyone else.  

Without my band I would have never made it this far.  I would be a lump on the sofa and not a fun mom of two young children.  I remember the stress of going up the stairs.  My band freed me of that hell!  I haven't had any complications, only stress early on from not having good follow up care.  Once I found a doctor who did fills the right way, it's been a wonderful journey!  

Self-pay here also. Had I known then what I know now I NEVER would have gotten the band. Complete waste of time and money!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus...........I have no idea how much the band is going to end up costing me. I can't afford to have it removed right now. Hopefully I will be able to have that done before the complications start.

Keep in mind there was a bandster on here this last month. Many of us on here tried to tell her what the band was REALLY like. She wouldn't listen to any of us. Told US how wonderful it was, and how it works for some ppl, blah, blah, blah. Anyway..........long story short: She got it. Got sick. Got it removed. Total amount of time with the band: 1 1/2 weeks!!!!!!!!! Oh but she still loves bands! LMAO. Go figure!

Go with the sleeve.  I've had a band 4+ years. It was good the first 6 months and since then hasn't done me any favors. You can click on my name and read my posts I've posted my story many times, sorry I dont' feel like typing it out again. :(

Even though I was not self pay the unfills/fills etc was still a pain in the ass and cost money (for a while I had insurance that didn't cover them too).

I am fortunate enough to currently have insurance that will pay for my sleeve revision here as soon as I get a surgery date.  I am scared at what kinds of state my stomach will be in during the revision. I pray it's minimally damaged and the revision goes off without a hitch.

If the kind of information was out in 2007 that there is no, there is no way in hell I would get the band then, I would have rather done nothing at all.. there is a ton of info, medical papers, anecdotal evidence (such as here) showing a high high failure/removal rate.

Do the research and make a decision you are comfy with. Best of luck!

Hi ubegrrl, sorry I couldnt see your profile. not sure if you set it up as private. I am more and more convinced that sleeve might be better option for me.

I have had the band for 2 years. I've lost 110lbs, and just recently gained back 30. If I had to do it over, I would get sleeved. Just my opinion.

Hello.Tthank you all. At last I did it. Sleeved on Sun 26th. First three days were horrible and full of regret but getting better each day. Can't wait to be few weeks post op.