HELP!! SLEEVE or band?

 My name is Jennifer and I'm fairly new to this site I'm been on here for bout 2-3 weeks and have been researching the lap band like crazy... I was all for it, I went to the seminar and then made the apt to see the surgeon . He said I was good for the lap band but my overall goal is to lose 155 lbs to be what I was before I had my daughter 11 years ago. The guy that works with the doc. he had the sleeve and told me that if the Bypass and the Lap Band got married and had baby that the sleeve would be it. lol  I'm sooooooo CONFUSED.  My thought at first was I didn't want my insides to be cut on, and that the Band can be taken out if need be. Now I don't know what to do I left the office signed up for the Sleeve and crying but I have 6mo to change my mind due to ins process, CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME CAN YOU TELL ME BOUT THE SLEEVE VS. THE BAND?? Ive been crying for two days and stressing myself out. I don't want to die having the sleeve surgery and that's what I'm afraid of. but I know I will die earlier from being fat if I don't do something and clearly I cant do it on my own. what are the complications with the sleeve and can someone or everyone that has had the sleeve tell me why and what made them choose that, BECAUSE THERE IS NO GOING BACK ONCE ITS OUT!   Thanks
Jennifer

Look around the site for a while and you will see a large number of people revising from the band to the sleeve or band to bypass. The band has a very high rate of failure - no or little weight loss, and a high rate of complications.

The band is not just a simple device that can be put in and taken out. There are consequences of putting a foreign object in your body. Do your research.

In my opinion, its much safer to have a portion of my stomach removed than to have a plastic piece wrapped around it. Gastrectomies have been done for a very long time and I haven't heard of any serious long term complications of having it removed. All surgeries will carry risks, including the risk of death, but there isnt really much about the sleeve that makes it more dangerous than the lap band procedure.

I chose the sleeve because :

- i didnt want malabsorption with a DS or RNY
- I didnt want a foreign object in my body
- I didnt want a port that required multiple and on going adjustments
- I didnt want to throw up all the time (talk to the band people)
- I wanted a normal, smaller stomach
- i wanted my pyloric valve (you lose this with a bypass)

I ended up with some acid reflux post-op that I didn't have before, but if that's the worse thing that happens to me, I'd never chose any other surgery.

Jennifer,

I was a lap band lover myself for the longest time. I had my mind set that it was all I ever wanted. 4 of my relatives have had the band and only one has been able to successfully loose weight and keep it off. When I spoke to the Dr and his representatives- they all told me that the sleeve was the way to go. I came home researched and researched. The more I read about it the more I like it. Hearing all the successful stories here(even with the downside to the first weeks of possible soreness and complications) I am still convinced that this is the tool for me! I am afraid, just like yourself, but I have weighed out my options.. My health is more important. I am willing and confident that this is the best option for me. Do a lot of research! You have plenty of time to change your mind.

I wish you the best of luck!

My surgery is October 13th- feel free to contact me for updates

First, Congratulations on making the decision to get the help you need!!  I think everyone is a nervous wreck - aka Hot Mess lol - when they come down to making the choice.  I have NO experience with the band, but I can tell you why I didnt choose it.  I didnt want anything foreign in my body.  I know you've probably heard horror stories for both, but I heard and saw way more with band than with sleeve, dealing with internal scar tissue from the band, not being able to find the "sweet spot" with the band, bands sliding, not filled enough, constant refills - and this is from people I really know.

I hadnt really heard of the sleeve until I started coming here and doing some outside research.  Jennifer, I HATE SURGERY.  HATE. IT.  Did I say I hate it?  Ok. cuz I do. You couldnt pay me to go under the knife, and yet I paid someone to cut on me!!  I  would still do it again if I could. 

Hey Jennifer, I just wrote you a note with my experiences with both and for me, the sleeve is the hands down winner for sure!

I know a lot of bandsters think that reducing your stomach size is a drastic move, but it makes so much sense to me...

If my appendix ruptured, I'd have that sucker removed! If I had cancer that could be excised, I'd get it cut the heck out! If my big ole stomach is killing me slowly via morbid obesity, then yes, please, cut that thing down! lol

Ask your surgeon what his rates are for complications with a sleeve. For most VSGers the numbers aren't much higher for a sleeve than for band surgeries. The risks are lower for virgin WLS than for revisions. Plus with a band, often follow-up surgeries are required for repair, removal, or replacement. So, with the band consider that you may be looking at multiple surgeries throughout your years.

Best of luck,
Lindsey


 

 Lindsey,

It does make sense when you put it that way!!

Thanks,
Jennifer

I am one who has had the revision from the band to the sleeve. I had the band two years ago and lost for awhile, then stopped, never found the "sweet spot", had my port replaced once and had no success. I have loved having the sleeve. You just can't eat much, but I have only gotten sick once since having the surgery in June and that was not the case w/ the band. Good luck w/ your decision. I know it is a great deal to think about and research, but I do think the sleeve was the way to go for me!

I am new at this. I just had the sleeve ( two weeks Tuesday). I was going to get the band, but I did not know if I could go in for adjustments for ever...plus my schedule.  is very busy to get fills.
 I choice the sleeve because was less invasive as the bypass but would give more weight loss than the band. I am an operating room nurse and have seen both sides of each medially.

 I am two weeks post op from having the band.

 OK so you said you just had the sleeve and then you said your two weeks post op from having band so did you have the sleeve or the band?

as a nurse what are the complication of the sleeve and if you dont mind me asking how much do you weigh, I'm bout 330 and need to lose bout 155ish so i don't know what to do??? I'M SOOOO CONFUSED! Thanks for the info

Jennifer 

I've had both and was sick for 5 years with the lap band. Not a good quality of life and not for those who want to lose a lot of weight, like myself. The sleeve wins hands down. Never sick but plenty of restriction to let me know I've had enough. There really is no comparison of the two. Whatever you do, please don't do the lap band.