Planning on getting either band or sleeve

Hello everyone, I just signed up today and it looks like this is what I was looking for. I have had my consultation with my surgeon and he first recommended the sleeve and as soon as i said i am afraid of cutting my stomach he said then get the lapband. BTW I weight 274 and when i was 235 i was living the dream. From my research on internet I have found out that sleeve is easier to live with and it works better. But I can't get this out my head WILL I ever need the part of the stomach that has been taken out? Will I be weaker than a someone that hasn't done sleeve? And how about if in future they comeup with some sort of pill that would do the job. It's so hard to decide to do the surgery or not? I keep thinking i have to eat right and exercise so why not do it without taking the big portion of stomach out. I have an appointment on 01/26/16 for pysch and nutrition consult. I can't trust any Surgent because they see me as a 20k operation. My primary Doctor tells my don't even think about surgery just eat right and exercise . Sorry i am all over the place

You have a lot of thoughts going on there..... My question is what is your BMI currently?  From the weight of 235 you were happy (living the dream) with that and are currently at 274?  That's less than 40 lbs. 

Others might have more insight.

My surgent said my BMI is 43 and currently 269 lost 5 pounds since the thought of surgery came to my mind, I used to be an athlete so i have muscles under fat, when i got to 235 i was wearing pants size 36 and Large Shirt. My Surgent tells me with sleeve i will be 190 . I would Love to be 180-190 because i think it's healthier. My peoblem is I can loose that 35 pounds if i try really hard which i have done before but Just can't keep it there. My life has been a roller coaster ride and I know thats not healthy. if I get the surgery and drop to 180-190 even after 5-10 years if I gain some weight and get to 210-215 that would work for me. 

I'm no expert on either VSG or the Band, however from everything I've read on this site the number of band sucesses are far less the norm than band failures. My surgeon doesn't do them anymore. Please make sure you do your research thoroughly because these are huge decisions. 

Best of luck, and let us know what side of the fence you fall on

In Europe (more advanced than US in WLS), the band surgery is no longer performed, and many reputable surgeons in the US won't do them anymore. I was told by my surgeon that more procedures are performed to remove bands than to install them.

I had the same concerns as you about stomach size and eventually eating normally. I went for the SADi DS procedure which is a lightweight version of the DS (I was a 40 bmi). Your stomach is reduced but not as much as a sleeve and there is limited intestinal bypass. I lost 140lbs in 9 months and mostly eat normally now 14 months out.

In my view, the sleeve is a good option with the only limitation being your ability to eat normally is not going to come back anytime soon. For me, that was close to a deal breaker but I would have had the sleeve if not the SADi DS.

 

This is me personally...Your surgeon still would have the best insight.  If you don't feel comfortable with one surgeon...Get a second opinion.  I think your surgeon is moving you in the right direction concerning the sleeve.  The lap band has quite a few complications...There are adjustment and possible slippages with the band on the stomach...Also the band can cause irritation around the stomach.  You may what to go on the "Failed Surgery" site here on OH and see what people are saying about the band.

The sleeve has been proven for many many years.  Years down the road you can convert to RNY or DS or another surgery (not yet discovered), that could work well...If you regain.  When people are young and have (usually) less than 100 pounds to loose, they will go with the sleeve.  If the person is older and has 100's of pounds to loose, they should look more to the RNY or DS...They have stressed their heart and kidneys for many years and need rapid weight loss for their health right away.  Again, the surgeon looks at all the issues...Heart, blood pressure, family history,...Even things like IBS and the need for NSAIDS...A lot comes into play.  Just my 2 cents...Brian

We use to call the band a diet with a leash. The long term success rate has always been debatable. I've rarely seen anyone that is 5 to 10 years out that has either kept the weight off or has not had to have it removed.

The sleeve is the better of 2 options. The only issue is going to be that there is no malabsorption so whatever you eat-you'll absorb the calories. I have the DS....so I have a VSG with a biliopancreatic diversion and duodenal switch (meaning my stomach is a sleeve). I can tell you that over time you can start to eat "normal amounts". Even worse you can eat soft carbs like chips very very easily- they don't fill you up at all. So if I didn't have the malabsorbtion component, I'd be back up to 400 lbs. But the malabsorbtion part has helped me keep the weight off.

. If you can (as you said) do it if you put your mind to it, than do it that way. Surgery is a big deal- even though it is relatively safe, there are some risks. At almost 400 plus lbs, I made a decision. I gave myself 1 year to lose the weight or get surgery. at the end of the year, I was almost up to 500 lbs-so I had surgery. Best decision of my life.

I had a band put in 8yrs ago, and soon I'll be having a revision to a sleeve.  The band is just too easy to feel like your doing well because your mostly scared to eat anything that will get stuck.  Then you learn what you can eat so very easily: chips, crackers, nachos, chili, gravy, dressings, basically anything that isn't lean protein and veggies.  So you learn to go to Subway and toss the bun but you can still eat the greasy meats, cheeses, and mayo.  The band for me gave me a 50lbs drop and then a 50lbs gain over the years.  I developed some odd eating behaviors that until this last 6 months I wasn't willing to admit.  But after deconstructing my eating habits, my go to foods, and being real about the situation I know I need to have it taken out.  The restriction part is great, eating less never bothered me, but eating healthy wasn't a perfect option when those kinds of foods get stuck and you feel pain and throw up.

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. Lapband for is not an option any more after all the things I Heard about the band. I decided to go with sleeve surgery and just hope for the best. I told my doctor that i would like to have it done by first week of march. I hope after 20-30 years from now I won't be having difficulties from not absorbing enough vitamins. In a same time I can't wait to get fit. 

I was banded in March of 2006 an had great success. I lost a total of 130lbs with the band because I did not deviate from the recommended eating plan for a VERY long time. However, after 6-7 years I began to test the waters and they felt good. Ultimately of the next three years I gained 80lbs back. The band can work, but is just a tool to help moderate healthy portions. The problem is, they put a band around your stomach, but not around your head.

About three weeks ago, I had my band removed to revised to VSG. No complications and the weight is once again coming off. Yet I am VERY aware that my choices will determine the long-term effectiveness of my sleeve. Just like the band, the sleeve is a more permanent tool to help me control portions.

As for my head...I have a good counselor who trying to help me get it screwed back on straight.