Considering a revision

After a continuous battle with my weight. My surgeon and I are in serious discussions about removing my lap band and switching to the Sleeve. Although, I adamantly believe the Lap Band is a successful tool, I think I need a bit more. I'm still getting fills though, while they see what my insurance decides. But, if it's meant to be, it will. I've come back here to this site because I found so much information and support that I know I'll need again during this new adventure. To be continued....

The band has not worked for a LOT of us! There just seems to be so little long term success with it. I would be revising myself if I could afford it right now.

Good luck!

Ditto Maria!

Sorry to hear you've had struggles with losing weight with your band, but you need to fully understand that the Sleeve is also a TOOL, and a fully restricted lap band at it's tightest is much more TIGHTER than a Sleeve...so I am not sure what you mean by you need something a little bit more, and you may want to rethink this before you get most of your stomach removed for nothing which may cause you other issues down the road...they remove much of the stomach that need required B12 and other essential nutrients.

Sure in the beginning when most of your stomach is removed, you will not be able to eat much, but I believe in about 6-8 months after you heal, a fully restricted band will be much more tighter than a Sleeve...you may want to consider therapy and a exercise regimen before you consider a revision....many successful Sleevers, exercise A LOT MORE than most Lap Banders do.

Remember many of those who are successful Sleeve revisions, had NO CHOICE and their bands HAD TO COME OUT...from slippage, or esophageal issues...NOT NECESSARILY FROM NONE COMPLIANCE or none exercise.

 Sorry to hear you've had struggles with losing weight with your band, but you need to fully understand that the Sleeve is also a TOOL, and a fully restricted lap band at it's tightest is much more TIGHTER than a Sleeve...so I am not sure what you mean by you need something a little bit more. 

Sure in the beginning when most of your stomach is removed, you will not be able to eat much, but I believe in about 6-8 months after you heal, a fully restricted band will be much more tighter than a Sleeve...you may want to consider therapy and a exercise regimen before you consider a revision....many successful Sleevers, exercise A LOT MORE than most Lap Banders do.

Remember many of those who are successful Sleeve revisions, had NO CHOICE and their bands HAD TO COME OUT...from slippage, or esophageal issues...NOT FROM NON COMPLIANCE.

Please disregard Nana's comment. She is one of those band cheerleaders that wants to blame the bandster instead of the failed band. It is very tacky and CRUEL of her to assume that you are noncompliant. You know............the blame the victim mentality. Kind of like those that blame a woman for being raped. We used to have another band cheerleader that has blamed bandsters for their failed bands as well...........and now guess what? SHE is revising to VSG! Funny how it's never their fault when it finally happens to them!

Go for revision!  My band failed me after 7 months and I suffered for another 1.5 years and finally had it out and had bypass done and I am very very happy I had it done!  Band sucks!

All I can say is the band and sleeve are very, very different. In my experience the sleeve has the restriction I thought the band would have. My restriction is consistent with my sleeve.

I'm not a fan of Naomi and her "tool" postings BUT if we grant her that the band is just a tool then it's the LEAST effective tool in WLS.

I had my band 4 years and been sleeved over a year and very happy.

Good luck no matter what you decide.

I revised from the band to the sleeve and it made all the difference in the world. My sleeve does what I thought my band would do and more. I've been easily maintaining at goal for a few months now. Come visit the VSG board, we have a lot of band revision people over there.

I am over 15 months out and still have great restriction.

Best,
Lindsey