VSG vs. Band?

I wouldn't have the band again if they gave it to me for free! Mine has done nothing for my weight loss and what little I did lose was my own hard work! The band never did anything to dull my hunger and I was never able to get a good restriction, always either too tight or too loose. Get the VSG and avoid all the nonsense with the band!

I'm almost 3 years out from banding and have had no severe complications, yet.  Will I have any?  Yet to be seen.  I Love that the band has helped me to lose so much.  Note I don't say the band did the work.. I did the work, the band was only an assistent.

If I had to make the choice today between banding and sleeve, it would be very difficult.  Yes, the band is a foreign object in my body, etc. etc.  But on the other hand, I'm very resistent to having body parts removed (2/3 of my stomach gone?  yikes).  This is a PERSONAL quirk of mine.. not saying the VSG isn't a good choice for many people.

Keep on researching and choose what fits you and your lifestyle the best. 

Congrats on making steps to a healthier life.

Hey there:

I agree you should be the only one to make your choice. I currently have the band for about another 48hrs. I am having the band removed on tuesday. I'm then having the hiatal hernia the band created fixed as well as the VSG done all in the same surgery. My surgeon's office have since changed their tune on the band. At 1st in 07 it was less invasive & reversible. Well new studies have proven that it isn't less invasive due to the long term effect it has on the body. Also it really depends on it there is a lot of damage if it is then it is more removable than reversible because of the damage. Then if there is little to no damage it is reversible because no removable of any body parts and no re-routing of the intestines. But I had my for 4 years and didn't start having major issues until November 2011. The port pain was constant though. The left shoulder pain hasn't stopped. The heartburn I suffer from kills that started in Nov 2011. That was my warning light when the heart burn started. Then I went to get a fill because being a good lapbander thought becuase I had no restriction that is what I needed. Well doctor pulled out 9.7cc out of my 10cc band. So I should of had restriction. Plus he checked no stretching of the esophagus or anything. Any way some days the thing was so tight I coudln't get liquids down and others so lose I could actually eat the healthy protein and raw vegetables without pb'ing or throwing up. Oh yeah forgot to mention the wonderful night coughs no matter when I ate before bed there were nights waking up with choking pretty much. Now I am not telling you this because I am trying to convince you either way. I just want you to know that there are pros and cons with the band, like any surgery. I just come to the conclusion why keep it in and continue damaging my insides if it isn't working. I didn't fail the band the band failed me. It actually took me a while to realize this too because there are so many that will preach or fuss at you saying you made the bad choices. I tried everytime to eat protein 1st but with the band that wasn't always possible. But it is what it is. I cannot wait to be pain free with this band out. Also the fills that is another to consider. The 1st few months depends on your surgeon but you may have to go to get 3-6 because some will only put in .5cc-1cc at a time. And if you are not a fan of needles then this would'nt be a good idea either. The fills do hurt they say like a bee sting but I wouldn't want to get stung by a bee several times a year. Any way I will stop rambling and please keep us informed on what you choose :)

 Fwiw nradnosky, that study is of surgeries done from 94 to 97
The surgery is done differently now and there is a much greater understanding of the band and how to use it more safely in 2012.

Not saying that there are no complications, nor am I telling you what to do for yourself. Just sayin that there may not be the same outcomes when 2012 surgeries are done.

Doc

Just like someone else said, I too wouldn't get the band again if it was free. And contrary to what some people think, it's not just because I didn't want to do any work. I worked my butt off, lost all my weight, kept my band just tight enough to get "restriction" and still had problems.

Just do your research. I don't answer posts like this because I'm "bitter", I do it to try and save people from going through what I (and MANY MANY others) went through.

Here are some boards to take a look at. Another good thing to do is to just read the title's of the threads in the lapband group vs the vsg group. It's night and day.

Good luck!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/failed_lap_bands/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/199537600106847/

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

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

I had a band and it didn't work for me at all, lots of complications, very little weight loss.I was really trying, felt like a failure. Converted to vsg just over a year ago, now I'm almost at goal. I feel great, almost no hunger. The recovery was no worse than the band either.
Look into the vsg! But with any procedure you have to be willing to do your part to lose and keep off the weight. the surgery is only part of it, you will have to use it as a tool, and work with it. Good luck whatever you choose!

I had the band, and now am paying for a revision. I now have insurance but there is a One WLS per Lifetime thing in there. They didn't even pay for the first one. 

Do your research. If I had, I would have gotten the sleeve the first time around.