Does anyone wish they had gotten the sleeve instead of the band? Why?

Hi,

I just went to a surgeon for an eval and the first thing he said was that he rarely does the band any more. He said most people want the sleeve because the band is not successful for everyone. He said more people do well on the sleeve. Does anyone with the band wish they had gotten the sleeve? If so, why? Thanks!

Goodness, here we go again.

~~They lose more weight because the stomach is removed and they have more trauma to the body and the healing is very hard for most ppl with the Sleeve so that gives Sleeve ppl more weight loss advantage.~~

Wrong.  

Recovery for the band is exactly the same as recovery for a sleeve.  I have had both, I should know.  Sleeve surgery is pretty easy as far as surgery goes.  Reality check here:  The reason sleeve people lose better is because we come out of surgery with perfect restriction (assuming the procedure is done correctly, sometimes it's not.) while band people it often times takes months and months of fills to get to the sweet spot and... many never get to their sweet spot especially with the mega bands now.  No restriction, no weight loss.  That IS why we got surgery because we couldn't do it on our own.

~~Also most ppl with the Sleeve lose their appetite and have less hunger "when on ppi's" in the beginning from seeing ppl in real life with both the band and with the Sleeve.~~

Wrong.

We are not typically hungry (talking real hunger here and not head hunger and all surgery types deal with that) because our population tends to over produce a hormone called Ghrelin.  Ghrelin is a hormone produced throughout the GI system but about 80% is produced from the fundus of the stomach.  That is what tells your brain you are hungry.  Removing Ghrelin removes most of the hunger.  As we have explained to you repeatedly, sleeve people do experience reflux especially in the beginning until the body adapts to a smaller stomach.  That is why we take PPIs.  After a sleeve reflux feels differently than before surgery.  Sometimes people feel hungry but if you give them a PPI and get rid of the excess stomach acid they the reflux goes away thus, the hunger goes away.  Reality check:  Even when bands take a PPI they still experience hunger because they are still over producing Ghrelin unlike *most* sleeves.  Not all, most.  We do need Ghrelin, it works with growth hormones, but we do not need the massive quantities obese people typically produce.  The remaining 20% of Ghrelin is more than enough to do this job and it is produced elsewhere throughout the GI system.

~~Sleeve ppl are more nauseated and sicker than lap band ppl in the beginning so they lose more weight, also from what I am told by ppl with the band and my surgeon, most band ppl, don't have restriction until a few months post op, and this will usually cause slower weight loss overall.~~

Wrong.

This simply isn't true.  Reality check:  Nausea is a side effect of EVERY stomach surgery whether it has to do with weight loss or not.  Nausea typically lasts a few days in bands or sleeves.  Bypass and DS too, for that matter.

I know you don't want to know this but I will tell you anyway.  One reason people get so frustrated with the band is because immediately after surgery people are all over weight loss!  Their motivation is the highest, they are the most willing to make needed changes and they are ready to get the job done.  With bands when it takes 3-12 months to see if they will ever actually have a sweet spot they become frustrated and lose motivation.  They tend to give up thinking bands are just another fad diet.  Every other surgery type gives people the opportunity to lose weight post op where bands it usually takes months.  Not fair but it's a reality.

~~Also what I am told (sic: by) many surgeons...~~

I call BS.  You haven't talked to many surgeons unless you would care to list their names so we can verify this.  What you did was to read Simpson's website and listen to what HE has say on the topic because much of what you write comes directly from his keyboard.  But then he spews what you want to hear so that is what you focus on.  The one dude that (public record here) probably wins the award for the most band deaths and biggest med mal payouts.

Simpson used to do all the surgery types, back in the day he was a good surgeon from what I hear.  But as with everything, things change.  The band came out and he saw a massive cash cow.  All these surgeries he had been doing prior to the band all the sudden became stomach mutilation.  Now he had an opportunity to do 3+ easy surgeries on one person vs. 1 difficult surgery on each person.  Cha CHING!!!!!!!!  (think tunes here:  money money MONNNNNEYYYYYYY)  He places the band, charges $600 for a single fill, the band slips, he operates again opening the buckle on the band, closes them up again.  They heal.  Surgery #3 he opens them up again, locks the band.  Surgery #4 (repeat cycle).  That is some serious money.  Far more cash than a single surgery that actually works.  As I told him on these boards, he should really just install a zipper on these folks to save time and money.  Business isn't so great anymore, I remember the days when he was in surgery all day, most days.  Now he claims he is in surgery 1/2 day a week.  Think his patients are on to him yet?

Do YOU think it is safe to have surgery after surgery after surgery or is it better to have 1 surgery with vastly safer long term results?  I know I know, you decline to answer the tough questions but do try.

~~Also what I am told many surgeons who are mainly Bypass surgeons have moved away from the band, because they never really offered any type of aftercare, and don't take the time to adjust the band properly in their patients, tighten the band too tight, and have cause  many complications from band slippage, esophagus issues, etc., and don't offer any education, nutrition, guidance, exercise or motivation for their patients, they just like to operate and never see the patients again, this is why they like the Sleeve and Bypass, they don't have to deal much with their patients, after, which in my opinion is a disservice.~~

Wrong.

Actually, this is complete and utter BS.  You are the queen of non research - research.  Notice how you never quote or post a study?  You never defend a single silly claim?  It ALL comes from a bunch of pro band newbies in your mega huge 5 band people support group.  Reality check:  ALL surgery types need nutritional aftercare.  More so the surgery types where people actually HAVE restriction and are limited in quantity unlike a band.  Sometimes surgeons offer nutritional advice, sometimes their Nuts do.  But to say that they don't want to spend 10 minutes with a band person when the surgery types that actually work require some major time devoted to nutrition is insanely naive and without a lick of common sense.  Surgeons don't do bands because they don't work and SOME surgeons have ethics and they don't want to put a zipper on people.  AGAIN I will explain it to you.  Let's take the low paying self pay band fills vs. high paying ins fills.  Band mills hire a nurse or sometimes a medical assistant to do fills.  Self pay usually starts at about $100 per fill/unfill.  Four fills per 15 minutes, that is a minimum of $400 per hour.  They pay the nurse maybe $20 an hour.  That's a $380 per hour profit.  Do you see the connection yet?  And you still want to believe that it is too time consuming to make money so surgeons prefer not to?  Are you serious?  Really?  Is that why they go to work every single day because they are too unmotivated to earn money?  Right.

~~However, from what I have seen in real life with ppl with the band and Sleeve, the ppl with the band catch up with weight loss after about 1-2 years and out pace the Sleeve ppl, and actually keep their weight off longer, but this is the band ppl that follow rules, keep up with the aftercare and fills, exercise and don't keep their band adjusted too tight.~~

Not sure what fantasy land you live in but it isn't the real reality.  Reality check:  Stats, peer reviewed journal articles, the band makers, doctors, the ASMBS, (you know, the REAL reality) show you are exactly WRONG.  Band stats haven't changed in 40 years.  The mesh band, molina band, metal band, small adjustable band, and today's mega band... stats haven't changed yet.  You are looking at a handful of people in real time and only believing what you want to believe.  You have yet to post a study proving your claims.  Bands provide the slowest weight loss, the least weight loss, the HIGHEST regain, and the MOST complications of all surgery types but in your world things are different than for the rest of the world.  This isn't alarming to you?  You really honestly believe that if you run to your surgeon for the rest of your life and never keep your band too tight, you will be just fine.  In no time you will be wearing a bikini and enjoying life.  ///slowly shaking head///  Hey, whatever floats your boat.

Sometimes I read your posts and the manipulation and outright dishonesty and I actually question if you even want a band.  It's as though you are so stubborn you are fully unable to admit that maybe some of your 5 banded person support group could be wrong.  That could turn around to bite you in the butt someday.

Something I have observed over the years is that many obese people have been obese their entire lives.  TODAY being obese is the norm for kids in school.  Even 10 years ago it was not.  Many kids who were obese were shunned by the other kids, teased, made fun of due to their weight.  They never really had a lot of friends.  In turn they really never learned social skills.  They never learned how to make friends, how to be a part of a group.  Finally they are an adult and they discovered WLS, the cure to every problem in life they ever had, so they think.  Suddenly there are groups of people they can be a part of and they will go along with those groups no matter what.  They will subject themselves to surgery that doesn't really work, they will down others that dare to tell them of facts, stats, peer reviewed journal articles, they will fight, kick, and bite to be a part of this new group that finally accepts them.  They willingly drink the koolaid just to remain a part of the group.

I am not suggesting you fit into this group, all I know about you is that you don't research well.  That's okay, most don't.  They don't know how.  It isn't something that is taught in high school.  I don't know if you have been obese all your life, I don't know if you have a wide circle of friends, I don't know.  Never claimed to know.  I am not directing the above to you personally, it's just an observation.

~~I have been researching weight loss surgery for over 2 years, been to countless seminars, luncheons with all weight loss surgery types, seen how they eat, the medications they take, how their weight loss surgery affect their daily life, from dumping, reflux, taking many pills, hospitalizations, etc, talked to ppl who've had success and complications with the band, bypass and sleeve and even a few DS'rs.~~

Reality check:  Notice the above.  Not a single study, not a single peer reviewed journal article, not a single fact.  Not a word by any expert.  Just observation of a small group of people where the ONLY people who have problems are non banded people.  Where the ONLY people at goal are banded people.  Everyone ELSE has these horrible issues, they are pale, sick, sickly looking, dying, miserable, taking bottles of pills daily to survive, they live in the hospital.  If the band is so great why isn't every fat person in the world running out to get one?  Why are the most people running out to get theirs removed?  Seriously, if you just answer one question (and I know, you decline when it comes time to pony up the proof of your wild claims), please answer this one.  BTW, I do not for one minute believe you have in your life, ever, met a DSer.  Just another claim to boost your wild assertions.  Do you honestly believe this lends you any credibility?

~~I would advise you to do the same thing, to make the conclusion of which surgery is better for you, instead of polling ppl here, because unfortunately from reading this board over 2 years most ppl who are happy their their bands have all left due to the negativity.~~

Wrong.

Most of us "negative" people left for a few years and we came back to a dead board.  Bet you didn't know that, did you?  I am still waiting for you to explain to us why the band cheerleaders from the 'other' place don't come over here and attempt to slam dunk those with problems.  Why aren't they trying to take over THIS board?  Hmmm????  When we left it was busy, we came back and it's dead.  Go figure.  And make no mistake, we "negative" people are merely those that had issues and tell our stories along with those pesky facts, stats, peer reviewed journal articles and ... well, reality.  If that, my dear, is negative in your world you must be verrry young and seriously naive.

Are you suggesting that the OP should go to the 'other' place where anyone with band problems is slam dunked, dog piled, and deactivated?  In your little world is that a better view of the band?  Is that less biased?  You are free to invite all 5 of your band cheerleaders over here.  They can go toe to toe with us if you wish.  They can present their studies (snicker) and we will present our studies.  We will compare facts.  You can even bring over all of the folks from the 'other' board and they are free to do the same.  Com'on, time to pony up some proof, cute little girl!  You aren't afraid to do that, are you?  Surely they can prove us wrong.  Oh wait... if you could have done that, you would have.  Isn't that the real truth here?  They are leaving you here alllll by yourself.  Didn't I tell you before that when there is a bump in the road you are on your own?  Didn't I???

~~So you will not get much positive feedback on the band from this board, you will have to go to the all lap band site, you need to google that, and as you can see this board is dead and only those who hang around here are those that are bitter and negative with their bands and seeking a revision or have already revised to either Sleeve, Bypass or DS and have nothing positive to say about it.~~

Gee whiz, do you suppose that might be because we actually had a band?  We have already lived your future?  We might have a fogging clue?  Nahhh.. can't be that.  We have an agenda, as I recall.

~~I will have to say that I am getting the band because of what I've seen other go through with the Sleeve and Bypass, I actually did not want the band initially but I've seen the weight gain from both Bypass and Sleeve and other issues they have to deal with daily and I just don't want the possibility of those issues all my life.~~

Reality check:  Yet you are getting the one surgery type with the highest regain and most complications.  Makes perfect sense to me.  Really, it does.  (???)  You don't want the possibility of complications or regain so you are choosing the surgery type with the most complications and the most regain.  K.

~~I would suggest that you find a band-friendly surgeon and they are hard to find right now~~

Gee, why do you suppose that is?  Doctors throughout the WORLD are declining to do bands anymore due to low success and high complications.  According to your own numbers and your own sources many doctors are not doing bands anymore.  They just abhor all that money.  We believe you, honest.

~~Also a reason why I am getting the band is that I've seen too many Bypass and Sleeve ppl requesting lap bands or some type of band over their stomach because their pouch/stomach stretches and no longer effective after 2-3 years, but the ppl I see with the band always have restriction.~~

All five of them, eh?  

I will agree with you on bypass, their pouches do stretch.  They are made from the stretchy elastic portion of their stomach, the fundus.  It does dilate, no doubt about it.  Reality check, your pouch will be made from the same portion of stomach.  ;o)  The fundus doesn't change because there is a band vs. bypass.  It is still the fundus.  It will stretch and dilate every bit as much as a bypass person.  Perhaps that is why so many banded people have dilated pouches, you think?

~~I am part of a support group with a group of long term successful lap banders and they are mentoring me and coaching me how to live with the band and how to be successful, and they have lost all their weight and have not gained their weight back and they have no complications or side effects, reflux, or anything, their life is totally normal, a few tell me that they will get the occasional slimes, if they eat too quickly, but other than that they are all doing well long term~~

All five of them, eh?  As I recall, 1 is 7 years post op, 2 are 3 years post op, and 1 is 8 months post op.  Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't the stats such that 50% will have their bands removed from 2-6 years?  You know ONE that has made it beyond that.  Her next battle is making it 10 years.  Very few make it beyond that period of time.

~~I will get my band next week and can't wait, I've done my research well and I don't have any second thoughts about choosing the band.~~

Oh Darl'en, we can't wait for you to get a band either!  THAT, is a promise.

Did Meeow post again? I do not see one...

No, NaBlowMe was using a fake ID again.

Thank you for your opinion!

Hi Nancy,

THank you, thank you, that was some excellent advice! I am going to go to some meetings, my surgeon claimed that the 80 or so surgeons he meets with monthly are all getting away from the band. I will continue my research. Thanks!!

Your surgeon is correct.  Stats show that 50% of banded peoples have their bands removed between 2-6 years post op.  It's a short term method to deal with a life long problem.

If you go to the sleeve board you will find a TON of people that have revised from band to sleeve and every single one of them will tell you they wish they got the sleeve first.

I had a band and revised to a sleeve 5 years ago.  Sleeves are more effective, far easier to live with, no maintenance, no fighting to find a sweet spot, you just come out of surgery with perfect restriction.  Most of all long term, sleeves are the safest surgery type around.

Good luck to you!

In response to your question YES! If I had known about the sleeve prior to getting a band in 2009 I would have gotten a SLEEVE NOT A BAND.

If your Surgeon is the one that you posted then THANK YOU I may see him as well for a  consultation/revision since I Had a Band followed the "rules" and still my band slipped.( I live in Mi also) I would love to talk to your surgeon wnatagab as he seems to be one that "get its" and ethically realizes that the band ISN'T  the WLS that was promised. If your truly thinking of getting a Sleeve I would go to the sleeve forum on OH and talk to people that have had the procedure, that is the REALITY of what Can/Does Happen post sleeve, NOT talking to people that have had a band then revised since YES, most are going to be negative about a BAND THAT FAILED. Seriously ...If you buy anything and IT FAILS..your going to be less than positive about it doesn't matter what it is right?

I'm curious about all the people that have a band long-term 6 -10 yrs ..WHERE are they? If it's so Wonderful why doesn't anyone come here or to ANY of the sites to tell all the Newbies how great it is? All I seem to see is those that just started and have YET to deal with  the REAL BAND 

The people here aren't being negative about the band they are sharing their personal experiences, in hopes of helping others NOT to have to go through multiple surgeries in hopes of losing weight. I mean isn't that the end result? 

I'm not going to go on about my personal experience, since I have yet to revise, but If your interested in anything else feel free to message me .

Please listen to your surgeon and the posters here who actually have a band!! The one person here who us touting the band doesn't actually have one yet and unless you have lived with one you can not possibly understand the problems that happen with the band. Problems usually don't start until 2-4 years out but then they can be life altering and not in a good way. I had all the follow up care one could ask for and followed all the rules but only lost 20 lbs total so follow up isn't the only problem, the band is just an ineffective tool for a vast majority of us. I highly suspect the OP who is so gung ho is either a reincarnation of a vet who comes to stir the pot or a doc representative who is trying to drum up business. Plus these are the same reasons a band mill doc would use to get people banded. Why because they seem to have more info than an actual newbie would have and yet they refuse to see the reality of band life. I urge you to go with the sleeve (little to no after care needed!) you will be much happier! Best of luck to you!

I hope she is for real and not a reincarnated band vet.  I *really* want her to have a band.  She deserves one!