Sleeve vs. Lap Band for Lighthweights

Anyone have any thoughts on the sleeve versus lap band?  I am seeking approval for the sleeve after I initially wanted the band.  Just wanted to know if others experienced the same dilemma that I did based on having a BMI of 35.

I can only speak from my experience.  I originally wanted the band.  In my province, Ontario, the lap band is not government paid, but the RNY and VSG (sometimes) are paid for.  I felt that I only needed the restriction part (and am extremely pleased with my sleeve), and choose the VSG.  I had to do a little coaxing as the RNY was considered the "gold standard", but the VSG seems to be gaining popularity now.

The lap band requires more follow up as far a****ting the "sweet spot" and getting fills and unfills.  Some people I know with the band are extremely grateful that they got lifetime maintenance with their original package, so be sure you look at follow up packages.  Both will ultimately have to be followed up for blood work, vitamins etc in any event.  I know successful people with both surgeries.  Some people are a little freaked out with the foreign body being left in them, some people are freaked out by having most of their stomach removed.  You have to do what makes you comfortable and what you can live with.  If you are still in the investigational stages you might want to consider the RNY and DS as well just to be sure you have covered all your bases.  I have never regretted my decision to get the sleeve.

Do you really feel deprived that you can only eat a small amount with the sleeve?  Are you looking at foods feeling tempted or does those cravings go away with that portion of your stomach being removed?

Darn, I already left an answer but somehow it disappeared!

I am one of the unlucky ones in that I have never lost my appetite and am still hungry.  That being said, it doesn't take much to satisfy me.  I don't feel deprived in that I feel just as full with a little to eat with my sleeve as I did with a lot to eat with my full stomach. 

I was really careful not to eat anything unhealthy until I got to goal.  I found that as long as I hadn't eaten something (after surgery), I didn't crave it.  My advice to all new post-ops is to stick to the plan as much as possible until you hit goal, because it's not that hard until you start treating yourself.  Even at that I do get full fast and still eat protein first even at goal.  I probably craved protein during the weightloss phase, but then again, I have always loved meat, cheese and veggies.  Now I eat what I want, starting with protein and in small quantities.

I hope that helped!

I had RNY over 2 years ago.  But if I were choosing between between the band and the sleeve I would probably choose the sleeve.  We have had some very successfull bandsters on the lw board but with the growing popularity of the sleeve, we've seen a ton of them in the last year and their success in my opinion has been phenomenal!!  It's hard to argue with results.  We may just be seeing more success because we are seeing more VSG's but I say if it ain't broke don't fix it. I vote for the sleeve.

I don't think BMI should be a big factor in choosing your surgery type. It's more about the lifestyle afterward. Can you deal with food getting stuck in a stoma (happens with a band)? Are you good about seeing the doctor when you should (band requires more aftercare than a sleeve)? Will you take your supplements (nutritional deficiencies are more common with a sleeve)? And a lot of other questions like that...

I started out wanting a band because I couldn't deal with the permanency of the sleeve but over time I saw way too many bandsters have way too many technical difficulties with their bands and also a fair number struggled to get proper restriction. That scared me as I knew I'd never keep the weight off if I didn't have hunger control. Once I accepted that all WLS is permanent, the sleeve didn't seem that drastic and I was attracted to the loss of ghrelin that it provides.

I haven't regretted my decision to switch to a sleeve yet.

I refused to settle for either, my bmi is 35 and Im having a DS.

"Settle"...   *snort!* .... you haven't even had the thing yet and you already have the attitude. 

Hi There,

I originally wanted the band until I found this forum and read about the Sleeve, then there was no looking back for me.

I was an extreme lightweight at 30.8 and I was self pay and went to Mexico.

Check out my stats and blog if you like.

I love my Sleeve!!

What was the determing factor?