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[nakitaminnie]

Hello Everyone I am thinking about having the band in April and was wondering if anyone can share their experiences with me. I have been a yo yo dieter for years and have always been a large women and I have decided that it is time to take back my life and do something for me for a change. I will hopefully be booking my surgery next week.

[Fantadiallo]

Hello..I really think you should do a comparison with the lapband..the sleeve and bypass before booking your surgery for the band. Welcome to the group.

[SleevedRN]

Don't get the band, it's a waste. Get the sleeve.

[jarnols]

Do your research. I started wanting the band and after speaking with the doctor I would only lose 20-40% of my weight. The sleeve seemed to be a better choice for me.

[Stacy'sSleevedLife]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am in total agreement with the advise everyone has given you about not getting the band. I was looking at having the bypass 8 yrs ago but I got tired of jumping thru the hoops for my insurance so I stopped. My PCP suggested about 2 years ago that I have the sleeve. Once again my insurance let me down. They don't cover WLS. I did over 3 months of research and found a amazing surgeon in Tijuana. Dr. Sergio Quinones performed my surgery January 12, 2013 and it was the best decision I could have made. On the date of my surgery I was wearing a 4-5 XL top and size 30 pants. Today I am down over 120 lbs., I am wearing a Medium top and size 12 pants.

Good luck,
Stacy

[mzmom67]

I had the lap band from 2007 until 2012. I was 350 lbs and I lost 130 lbs. But my port got infected and my body rejected the band so it had to be removed. I have since gained back 60 lbs. So now I am having the sleeve done in April. It took about a year of fills and unfills to find the right restriction. Some days the band would just be so tight that getting water down was hard and the next day you could eat just about anything. I did love the band when I had it but the going to the dr getting fills and unfills can be costly. I suggest you do ALOT of research on WLS types and determine which one would better fit you.

[Aquajog]

LOL.. I agree with all the advice saying to research first before deciding .. When I went to my forget orientation group in Jan. 2013, I went because I had a interest in the band. Had learned very quickly that some doctors were no longer doing the band . After listening to the doctor do his presentation and talking to several people at the second part of the meeting "support group", I decided the band was not for me.. Decided on the Bypass. Continued to do more research . Did not like the absorbtion issues with the bypass. Even more research lead me to the sleeve..
I am glad I took the time to really understand each surgery and what was involved . I am new to this so not one to give advice but I did read so many issues with the sleeve. Good luck on which ever you decide .

[Lolo2]

I had the band was so excited about it, was finally going to be thin, not. It never worked for me and I had it over filled at one point. Not only that you have a foreign obkect on your body that can cause scaring and other complications. With the sleeve the part of the stomach they remove is also the part that creates the hormone that makes us feel hungry. Do more research, I think you will find more peoe are successful with sleeve.

[natex14]

I started off wanting the band as well. I even talked to a doctor about it and he liked the idea. I then started doing research and decided it wasn't for me. The idea of having a foreign object in me made me nervous. I found this site and continued the research and decided on the sleeve. I think it's the best WLS out there right now.

You have to do the research for yourself though and see what you think. There are lots of people that love the band and have been very successful at it. Good luck.

[riseandshine]

Please research, research, research!!!! Most doctors are not performing the band any longer due to poor results and complications so really think about your options. Whatever you decide-good luck to you and welcome!

[Mariella]

My husband just had his band out after 7 years of hell!! I have the sleeve and its out of this world no choking like the band....my husband is now
getting ready for the sleeve...our surgeon says hes pulls out more bands than he puts in theses day .....do loads of research) good luck x

[Shanbie]

I never liked the idea of a foreign object in my body. They say it is removable, but in reality my surgeon said they only remove them if they start getting complications from them because they can get calcified and the surgery to remove becomes more complicated than the surgery to put in. They can imbed in your stomach. I would advise more research on the band for sure. My aunt had one put in and had all kinds of trouble trying to find the right fill level, and even after they filled it to the correct amount she only lost 30lbs. She had them take all the saline out because she got fed up with it. So now she just has this foreign object in her body that isn't serving a purpose. She says she should have just done the sleeve to begin with, but now she can't because her insurance only covers one weight loss surgery per lifetime.You do what you feel is right for you, however, but I strongly suggest more research.

[JessG]

I agree with everyone... I too had the band back in 2003 and had it removed in 2006 due to complications. I am so thankful that I decided to get the sleeve on 10/21/13!! Don't regret it one bit. I started my journey in a 30/32 pants and shirts, and I'm now wearing 18 pants and 16 shirts and down almost 100 lbs total. Do your research before making your final decision.

[thenewmetoday]

Had the band....that was a waste of money. \Lost some weight, had the fills, never found the sweet spot (my fault?) felt like it. Had to remove it, starting to cause complications. Sleeved in April/12. Amazing aid, never felt so confident because this time I knew when I lose it I still have this great tool to aid in keeping it off. I have been at goal -10 for a year and having no problem maintaining. It is AMAZING. Do your reading and good luck with your decision. A lot of Dr. are now opting for the sleeve over the band, with their past experience.