HELP!! SLEEVE or band?

For me, I'm pretty sure that I'd be more likely to "eat around" the restriction that the band provides, so I think I'd be less successful.  I loved the idea that the band is totally reversible, but it seems like there is a pretty high rate of complications (the band slipping, etc.).  The staples in the sleeve stay in permanently, so I guess with both of them there are foreign objects in your body, but the staples aren't as likely to work their way "loose" in your body.

I guess what I'm saying is that for me, the sleeve seems like the most promising option for my long term success. 

I almost got the band in December of last year. Then I started researching it and decided it was not the best choice for me...even though my mom was pushing me towards the band because it is removable.

Here is the deal, sleeve surgery does have a slightly higher risk initially..however, the band has much more long term risks that could really cause you some harm...

I have also seen on here and irl, so many people that want their bands removed because they are miserable.

I was just sleeved two days ago, and yes, I am pretty uncomfortable..but I feel I made the right decision for me, since I have about 130lbs to lose. I dont think I would have lost half of that with the band, and feel pretty confident that I will lose most of that with the sleeve....

best of luck with you decision

ps, I was the total freaking out patient, I was bawling up until the time that they sent me to the OR...my last though prior to going under was praying to God that he let me live for my little boy....and that was that! =) 

I would say definitely no band! I have one and I am having it removed and getting sleeved. Some initial weight loss with the band, but fills and lots of appts. later I am heavier now than when I had the band put in. Really happy to have that foreign body removed soon! Good luck with your decision, I only wish I had started with the sleeve!

I felt the same way you did pre-op.  I was too scared to think of having surgery to change my insides and wanted the lap-band for the assurance that it was reversible.  But in all actuality the doctor told me it's not truly reversible unless you have issues.  He also told me that the amount of weight I wanted to lose may not work for me with the lap-band.  So I read everything I could on this site, and vertical sleeve talk website and researched and google everything I could online.  And I can tell you when I stopped thinking about the surgery and the reversal, I came to terms with getting VSG.  #1  You are going to have surgery (lap Surgery) either way the problems and complications are for any surgery... so that helped me decide on what I wanted done.  Did I want to go into this with the mindset that I could reverse it when I wanted to or am I going to change my habits, and I also reasearched people who have stomach cancer which they get a form of a sleeve surgery to remove part of their stomachs and they live fine without it. 

I decided on if I was going to have surgery I didn't want to have a second one to remove a lap-band or revise.  So I went for the VSG and I don't regret it.  As scary as it was I am so happy... but you have to do what is RIGHT for YOU and you alone.  So READ and then make a decision and go with your gut.  Good luck and congrats on first steps

 I'm still researching myself but I'd already ruled out the band.  It just has too high a failure rate and while I'm in the optimal weight loss group I just didn't want the chance of that failure while we were stationed in S. Korea or something.  I'm actually going back and forth between the sleeve and RNY.  While I don't like the idea of malabsorption and I don't like all the re-routing of my intestines I have a serious sugar addiction and I'm worried that being able to still eat sugar will cause me issues.  At least with RNY you can have a VERY negative result if you cheat.  But I am still leaning towards the sleeve.  I like the fact that for most people your hunger just never comes back (like it does for RNY after 6 months or so) and I like that everything stays where it is supposed to be, just less of it.  I'll discuss my worries about sugar with my surgeon but I think that I will get the sleeve.  It just seems the best of both worlds really.

Sleeve. Hands. Down. I wish I would've done the sleeve to begin with and never even learned about the band.

One of my best friends had a band done a few years ago. After 3 years, all she's lost is 70 lbs, but she can't eat anything except chicken nuggets, and even then, haf the time she vomits them back up. She's miserable, but refuses to have the band removed because she self-paid, and cannot afford to have another surgery. She still has another 80 lbs to lose. I don't want to go through even a tenth of what she has. That's why I've decided the sleeve is the option I want.

My friends' story is just one instance. YMMV.

 Jennifer that once it's gone, it's gone freaked the crap out of me.

Now I feel whole, I feel at peace, I am normal!  I now have the stomach I should have been born with and the freedom from hunger that allows peace of mind, heart,and soul

I understand where you are.  You will have to make the final decision.  The sleeve is a fantastic option.  You will not miss your supersized stomach in fact you'll be glad that it is gone - of course you won't feel it is gone.

Honest, the band is a pain in the ass.  No one is going to end up keeping theirs in the long run.  You have to worry about keeping your insurance just in case something goes wrong.  Generally if things run the way they should, the sleeve is set it and forget it.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

(((BIG HUGS)))
Leila

Hi Jennifer,

I also went back and forth between RNY, the band and Sleeve. Did tons of research and finally settled on the sleeve for all the reasons everyone has already listed. Im about 9 1/2 months out from surgery, have lost 143 lbs and have a 29.9 bmi. I've got about 30 lbs left to lose. I eat on plan, work out weekly and live an overall healthier lifestyle. I'm very happy with my sleeve and would highly recommend it to anyone. Find a doctor you trust and stick with their program.. youl'l do great!

Best of luck - Linda