My mind is made up!!

THANKS!!

I'd respectfully suggest reading a bit on the vsg section of the board. Most posters spent 1 night in the hospital, maybe 2 if there are complications but that seems to be rare. The average time spent away from work is 2-3 weeks, not 7-8.

I was talking about 7 to 8 weeks to heal, not stay away from work. I was told around that time I can still have a leaks. My Dr, told me I will have to be on protein shakes for at least 3 weeks. I did my research to discover people with VSG have problems too that require more surgery. 

Yes, it is possible to have complications with VSG. However, you may want to look at the number of people who still have bands after 10 years; there are often complications including slippage, erosion, and severe scarring that require further surgery as well, and many patients end up having their bands removed. For example, a study of patients who had bands placed betwee***** and 1997 showed that as of 2011, 60% required further surgery and nearly 50% of patients needed to have their bands removed.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just trying to share my own research-- I initially was leaning towards the band when I started looking into surgery, and I figure the more information the better! Gotta watch out for each other, right? :)

Not,not not, saying there are not problems. But research whi*****ludes bands implanted before about 2005 is not all that valuable as a new surgical technique was introduced which reduced the risk of slips considerably. Also the newer larger bands are less high pressure. 

Hi Kate,

I was reading these posts and am sorry but I have to correct a statement you just made.

I have had a 14c band since 2007 and am hoping for revision to VSG or DS.  If I am not mistaken, this is the largest (I hope) band and it is NOT less high pressure. (or were you talking POST 2007?)

 Although I can appreciate that there are many Bandsters who have had nothing but success with their bands, my story was not so great.  Pressure is most of the story with my band.  Now, I leave room for the fact that we might be talking a different definition of "pressure" but that is the main reason I want this beast out of me.  I followed everything to a "T" but it is the most fickle thing I can imagine for me.

I wish only the best for anyone going in for band surgery, but I cannot advise anyone to get it.

Not having one of the post-2006 bands myself, I am no expert. I was however told by my surgeon and have read many times on here that the old 4cc bands, of which I have one, are higher pressure than the newer larger ones. I am not aware of the exact date on which the larger bands like yours were introduced but if you tell me they are the same pressure level as my 4cc one, I will believe you! But it is normally given as one of the reasons the 4cc bands became obsolete.

Sorry  - something odd happened and this has appeared twice!

Not having one of the post-2006 bands myself, I am no expert. I was however told by my surgeon and have read many times on here that the old 4cc bands, of which I have one, are higher pressure than the newer larger ones. I am not aware of the exact date on which the larger bands like yours were introduced but if you tell me they are the same pressure level as my 4cc one, I will believe you! But it is normally given as one of the reasons the 4cc bands became obsolete.

Definitely the more information, the better. You are absolutely correct :-)

Just a FYI for you, it took me longer to recover from the band and the band removal than from my sleeve.  I was on the same weight restrictions for the same amount of time.  Yes, they made me stay one more night in the hospital but I felt better the next than I did than when I was sent home with the band.  I wish I could have gone sooner.  I do better at home than in a hospital.  The center had us on the protein shakes the same amount of time.  If you have a good surgeon at a center of excellence, the complication risk aren't much different.

As stated no matter what you chose, we will be here to help and support you if you need us.