sleeve versus lap band descision

[jakh0bi]

Just want other people opinions, good or bad!

Do u think its silly to worry about having the sleeve done because cutting 2/3 of your stomach is Very permanent?

I mean to me the choice was easy as I have been super morbidly obese for most of my adult life and for some one to help me fix the problem with it never to return ever. I never hesitated..

Do some people that have lap banding, base their desision A usefull temparary tool, something that can be reverced, but also regain the weight easier, especially after having it taken out?
Confused??

Just wanted to know how other people made their choice, I have no regrets. loving my new lease on life, can only imagin how good it will feel to get it all off and keep it off....

[crlady]

Just wanted to know how other people made their choice, I have no regrets. loving my new lease on life, can only imagin how good it will feel to get it all off and keep it off....

You have lost a tremendous amount of weight! How long ago did you have the sleeve?

I can't answer your questions but wanted to congratulate you. I do know many here seem to have had the band first and then went with the sleeve so I would think you made the right decision.

[MediaHound]

Great topic, looking forward to reading the replies.

[Minnie Mouse]

Nikketa...Since taking 2/3 rds of our stomach out is a permanent thing, wouldn't we like our weightloss to be a permanent part of our life also? At least if we gain a little weight, we have a tool to work with to help us to lose easier! We can have more self control than before when it was so hard to lose a few lbs. I always wondered what would happen to part of our stomach after many years if we kept it inside of us just laying dormant. I'd rather get rid of something that I don't have any use for. I have a friend who had a gastric bypass who eats all day and then throws up when he's full. Ugh!!! The hunger hormone, Grehlin is removed(most of it) when the stomach is removed. That sounds better to me. I wish you much success on your journey to a newer you! LOL

[jakh0bi]

Thanks already! to crlady i was sleeved back in july last year. I love this new life, i have delt with a lot of emotional baggage at the same time. But u would be amazed at the strenth u gain from shedding the lbs.. woo hoo half way now and looking forwards to the other part. no pain no gain right??

[msdw59]

Excellent topic.

The way VSG was described to me is it is the WLS between the band and the bypass.

I'm quoting: Better than a band, comparable WL to the bypass with a less complicated surgical procedure.

For me I've been tap dancing around having the lap band for years. I always said that if I was going to have wls, the lap band was for me. I just didn't want to have the more complicated by-pass. Then in September 2010, I thought I knew all there was to know about WLS and was throw for a loop. The seminar I attended talked about VSG. In the seminar I literally said "What the F&x* is that?" Like I said I thought I knew everything there was to know about WLS.

So, I went home and did my research, and although my heart kept telling me Lap Band, my head kept telling me - The answer for you is VSG.

Hell, when I had my first consult the surgeon said, by-pass - right? I said no sleeve, but what about the lap band (this was my heart speaking).

Surgeon replies, are you really serious about the lap band? Bcause if you are, I'm the wrong surgeon for you. It's a waste of your time if you're serious about losing weight. And you Diane have a lot of weight to loose. The by-pass will definitely make you loose the weight. With the sleeve you will have comparable WL with a more normal life

So right there and then I decided on VSG and have stuck my decision. I think I'll be having the surgery at the end of May. WISH ME LUCK!

[Nana Renan]

The sleeve wasn't an option for me when I was banded in 2007. It was still "experimental" then. At that time, the band was the best choice, because altho' I had a LOT of weight to lose, I had co-morbidities (diabetes, heart problems, etc.) that made my surgeon lean towards the band. To quote him, "...the band wouldn't be as harsh on my system." And I didn't like the malabsorption issues that come with a bypass.

Problems arose, the biggest being, I just couldn't lose enough with the band. And other problems kept us futzing with it....fill, unfill, partial fill, etc. etc. etc. ...until I started to gain back. Finally, I realized the sleeve was an option, and with all my complications, the insurance would approve the revision!

YIPPEE!!! No regrets. Unfortunately, I'm proving to be a very, VERY slow loser. (BOO!), but, life is a lot more enjoyable WITHOUT the band.

[Sleeve Pixie]

As someone who has had both the band and the sleeve I can say it is a very personal choice. I had the band because RNY is just not for me for many many reasons. The sleeve just was not an option 3 years ago as insurance companies were not covering it.

I know now that you really have to take into account your personality type. Me personally, I am 25 years old. I am not going to abstain from certain food types for life. I cannot and will not diet for life. This has to be a permanent lifestyle change that i can stick to. With my band I just couldnt eat chicken or most other solid food for that matter. Now with the sleeve I can eat ANYTHING just in super small portions. That is perfect for me!

Also with the band, I still had my huger hormone and was hungry all the time. Now that the ghrelin is gone, although i do still have head hunger it is much much more manageable.

I also like that the sleeve is permanent. VSGs have been done since the 1800 for other ailments such as stomach cancer, ulcers etc so i was comfortable in the fact that this has been a long standing procedure.

[jakh0bi]

Wow much clearer for me now. every one has threir own journey to walk. So glad i chose vs. Never looking back and certainly have no regrets. Wish all of u luck with your journeys. xo

[fingalcrom]

Hi there
When I went to discuss WLS with the obesity specialist, I went with the intenton of having a band. However it seemed to me that the major problem with the band, for me, was the constant upkeep. Getting the band filled, then perhaps having it deflated and then filled again. It seemed like an awful lot of commitment. I travel with my job all the time and was also told that the band can expand due to air pressure in a flight and so when I got to my destination I may need to go to accident and emergency to have the band emptied. The thought of being in, say, Korea and trying to explain what I needed was just too scary for me.
It was also explained to me that basically a lapband will help you lose around 30% of your excess weight, a sleeve 40% ( at a conservative estimate) and the bypass 50%. The bypass had too many side-effects for my liking - again due to travelling with my job. I didn't want to have to deal with gastric dumping in an airport or flight! Also, the bypass is the most malabsorptive.
The sleeve was the ideal option for me in that there is no real upkeep with it. The operation is done and your life moves on. I am nearly 2 weeks post surgery now and have no regrets. It was the best decision I have ever made and I thank my obesity specialist for bringing the sleeve option to my attention, as I had never heard of it before.

Love
Lisa xxxxxxx

[sandyfromoz]

UMM what was the question NIK? I can't take my eyes off your Ticker.
You are a quiet little one aren't ya huh?
165 lbs 75 Kilos. Girl that is a whole other person.
Hey excuse me Boss, but can we have a medal/badge thingy for say 25lbs.then 50lbs.75lbs 100lbs, I'll leave it to you what to write on Miss Nikitas one here. Maybe, Oh I don't know, 'SUPER STAR'
I am so proud of you, and proud of me cos you chose me to be your friend
Hugs from S.S.S.

[KimD]

With my band I just couldnt eat chicken or most other solid food for that matter. Now with the sleeve I can eat ANYTHING just in super small portions. That is perfect for me!

I went into my surgery being told that I would have trouble tolerating certain foods afterward (red meat, rice, dairy, etc), and for the rest of my life I should be on a low fat and low carb diet. Is it really possible to eat whatever you want? I know each doctor puts their patients on different paths, but it was my understanding that bypass is more of a 'eat what you want and get away with it' option and the sleeve takes much more effort and diet changes.

Also, to reply to the original question, I never considered the Lap Band because I have seen and read about more unsuccessful and difficult procedures than heard from people who actually recommended it. Also, I have over 200 pounds to lose and the Lap Band seems to be for people less overweight than me.