problems
on 4/15/14 10:29 am - Canada
I had the sleeve and I've had complications. I'm too tired to write them out but I'm sure you can find my posts under my name.
I personally would not get a band done. After all my research if the Band was the only choice I'd stay fat. My sleeve is settling in and I'm doing better every day.
on 4/15/14 10:34 am
I had the sleeve march 26th and I haven't had any complications. I personally couldn't do the band because I can't handle needles. That is the only thing that caused me to do the sleeve instead.
I chose the sleeve because bands can slip, erode or spring a leak. Ports can flip and u have to go in for fills. I didn't want to take a risk of having band surgery only to need a revision later. Some people love their band. I just don't think I would have. My surgeon doesn't do them anymore. I love my sleeve.
I LOVE my sleeve. The decision to do band or sleeve is entirely up to you but I personally know two ladies that had to have theirs removed because they slipped. Good luck with whichever surgery you choose & be positive. I haven't had any problems...I did throw up for about 2 days but that's only because I tried to drink crystal light & not just have plain water...shouldn't have had anything with color until day 3, my bad. TMI but then I had a semi-period which was weird because I've had a hysterectomy but still have my cervix but my body was dropping weight & hormones & went into pms mode-saw my gyn though cause I was freaked a bit.. after day three I started to feel better than I've felt in years. Good luck with everything.
With God ALL things are possible! VSG 3/13/14 Dr. John Mathews
I've had both - and in my opinion (and most doctors), the band is a BAD idea. It requires maintenance forever - fills and unfills, and usually the surgeon doesn't do those for free after the first year. Worse than that is what it can do to your body. It can slip out of place and cause a hernia. It can erode into your stomach. It makes it almost impossible to eat normally without vomiting. My experience was habitual vomiting, hernia, acid reflux, band slip, and general misery for 7 years.
VSG is also restrictive, but there is no foreign body implanted, is permanent (most bands end up being removed within 10 years), and requires no maintenance. You may think it's a new surgery, but it's been done since the 1800's, albeit for different reasons. I urge you to do your research; I cannot recommend the band to anyone!
My strongest advice is to not get a band. I had a band and it worked well for a few years, I lost 80 pounds, but then the complications set in. I had acid reflux so bad at night that I would aspirate my own stomach acid, and wake up with instant pneumonia, running 103 degree fever, not able to breathe, and in a complete panic attack. It happened almost every time I ate before bed, but still happened even on a completely empty stomach. I didn't know it was happening at first because I would just wake up horribly sick. It took me a while to go back to my surgeon and diagnose it. Please please please do not get a band. If all my problems can stop one person from getting a band, it will make me happy.
I ended up getting a RNY because it has long-term data behind it and the VSG doesn't yet. I wasn't about to get another promising-sounding surgery without long-term results, but by all accounts it's a very effective surgery. Consider the RNY, but if you don't like that option, I recommend like I have never recommended anything getting the VSG.
Zero complications here. Even if the band was he only option, I wouldn't get it.
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)