Decision time is getting closer :S

[TulipTinks]

I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to see what my options are

I currently have a band that has a fault. I had to have it completely emptied in June due to this fault and I have gained weight.

I'm not sure whether to have a new band, a sleeve or do nothing.

The thing is I am really scared that I may have the sleeve done and then regret it. I also didn't feel great after my last operation. I have very fine/thin hair already and am worried my hair will fall out. I'm worried I won't be able to get enough goodness/fluids in each day. I'm worried that my food choices will still bad.

I want to be happy & healthy but will I be able to cope with having a sleeve.......it seems such an enormous step.

As confused as ever



Sorry for going on!!!!!

[Jos1yn]

It is a big step, but I say go for it. So far, I have no regrets, and I love it because I feel as if I can't f it up. If you already have thin hair, OK, well say your hair comes out, it's not your best feature anyway, right? Everyone has something that they can highlight that IS pretty that others may not have. I was worried about the hair thing, too, not to downplay that fear, but my doctor told me take my vitamins, eat well, and don't worry about it, so now I don't. Plus IF it does fall out, it does come back, it's not forever and always. You WILL be able to get your fluids and vitamins in, but you will have to think about what you choose to eat and what time, which is what we should be doing anyway, and as overweight people we have all struggled with and it IS a struggle, even with the sleeve. But nobody said it would be easy, right? Nothing worth doing ever is. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Everdreamer]

If the band worked for you while it was functioning properly, the sleeve will also and you will not have to worry about all the things the band brings with it. It is a personal decision though and you definitely have to be ready but the eating is not as bad as it seems. It feels great to be satisfied with a little bit of food. If you do nothing though, the alternative may be worse unless you can stick with something "normal" that will work. I had tried all my life and so I took this step and I honestly do not regret it at all. I take my vitamins and Biotin for hair loss and have not noticed any hair loss but even if you do lose some hair, it is not permanent and will grow back. Only you can decide though.....if choosing between the band and sleeve I would say go with the sleeve. It has far less complications and you don't have to worry about fills and all that jazz I wish you clarity for your decision and best of luck in whatever you decide!!

[Grace]

As this is a sleeve site you know we'll have opinions skewed towards the sleeve. You don't say how much you want to lose, etc.
If you had trouble after your band surgery, you may wish to think about why - was it the surgery in general, or the actual device left in your body.
Did you adjust to eating small amounts easily? Then your transition to the sleeve will feel familiar.
This is a big decision. The band you can have removed...but then you essentially did and you can see you gain weight back. The sleeve does relax over time and if you work hard enough or I should say relax your attitude too much yes you can gain back with it as well, but are more likely to catch yourself due to the restriction. (average long term size about 9 oz max). One thing to consider. When you have the band, you have your entire stomach, it's just banded off. With the sleeve, your fundus and excess stomach are removed. This results, at least at first and for most patients, in far less hunger due to the loss of the hormone ghrelin.
Ultimately it's your decision, but really what you are choosing between in my humble opinion is another band for life or the sleeve for life, as it appears you will need something to keep from regaining. It's just a matter of which.

Came back to point out that very few bands are placed here in the US these days - some of the better hosp are just not doing them at all due to the complications and the sleeve is the new band as it were.

[anita dilly]

I didn't get the band because I live in Central America and couldn't get them adjusted and really didn't want anything "foreign" in me. I didn't want the by-pass because didn't want my insides moved around, that scared me a little so the sleeve sounded perfect. So far it has been great. As far as your hair goes, I have thin hair also. So, I bought a cute hat the other day. I plan on purchasing some more. Have fun with a new style.

[marilynlw]

Hopefully after your appointment you will feel better about what to do. Yes the sleeve is permanent and can't be undone. But most of us like that it is a permanent tool to help us lose and keep the weight off. If I have had problems with the band I wouldn't want to try that again. But that is just my opinion. What ever you decide you will have to live with it, so I totally understand why you want to be sure you are doing the right thing. You have a lot of things to consider like weight, health, complications. Hopefully your doctor can guide you to the right decision for you. Most of us on here will definitely say the sleeve was the best decision we ever made but we are not you. Best Wishes

[niamh]

I hope you can find the information you need on this site and elsewhere to help you come to a decision you feel comfortable with. I understand your apprehensions, they are the same that many of us felt. I can only say that in the end I wrestled with the pros and cons and realised I needed a permanent solution because it appeared to be a permanent problem. Good luck.

[mamamckinzie]

You might wish to read the band to sleeve revision forum to get a banded person perpective. I orginally was headed for the band (did not know about VSG) but the more I learned about it the less I thought it wouldd be a good fit for me. Once I got pass the "how much of my stomach are they going to remove?" shocker and learned about VSG I decided on VSG. Best thing I have ever done for myself. Good luck with your decision.

[SECRETSLEEVE]

I know a girl who had 3 weight loss surgerys, first the lap band, then the sleeve and finally the duodenal switch. You need to do your research to figure out which will be best for you.