Lapband vs. VSG - Personal anecdote

[Jersey John]

I started my journey to bariatric surgery 5 years ago when my sister went with me as support to a Lapband seminar. She was so impressed she started the process with me. She had the surgery first, and I had a bad experience with the doctor (let's just say it had to do with my past history as an insurance fraud investigator), so I did not go forward with the surgery.

My sister did okay with the band and dropped about 40% of what she neded to lose, but kept stalling. She had a lot of issues with the force of the band and the settings of tightness, in and out of the office getting adjustments through the port.

Last week the band slipped and tightened. She couldn't eat or drink and was in great pain. She was admitted to the hospital and the band was removed.

So far it looks like the sleeve may be the better option, since 5 weeks out I'm at +25% of my weight loss goal, and there is no attachments or devices to fail or adjust.

Again this information is anecdotal only and not scientific but I felt compelled to share for those considering their options.

[mbd]

A lot of people experience this with the band. I also went through the excruitating pain from the slippage. So glad I didn't go with getting it back and had the sleeve. Best thing in the world I did for myself!

[Sunflower]

I am having similar experiences with my lap band. Can't wait to get the sleeve!

[michelleb]

I'm totally anti the band for all those reasons and more!

[VSGOct2011]

Real reason Jersey chose the sleeve was he heard there were cooler people on this forum than the lapband forum! ;P Lol

[Jersey John]

Real reason Jersey chose the sleeve was he heard there were cooler people on this forum than the lapband forum! ;P Lol

You forgot "and hotter"!... ; )

[michelleb]

Lol we need to stalk JJ so he can ignore us

[Jersey John]

Lol we need to stalk JJ so he can ignore us

I would have clicked "like" if I wasn't already ignoring you.....

; P

[VSGOct2011]

You're so fun to tease...You just keep setting yourself up for it...

[Jersey John]

Apparently so!!

I'm happy to be here to provide entertainment for you ladies.... : )

[onmyway]

I was considering the band up until my first visit to the Dr. and they told me about the sleeve...which I had never heard of before...had alot of issues. They told me their patients with the band have alot of problems with slippage etc. The nurse practitioner told me that she is trying to convince the doctors in the group to stop doing the band altogether b/c there are so many problems. So hopefully I have made the right decision.

[gingydilly]

I have had my band for the last 4 years. 2 years went well and then the last 2 years have been awful! I can't wait until my surgery!

[EvolveTm]

I had my first patient support group meeting last night and there was the nurse practitioner from my doctor's office there as well as several patients of theirs in various stages of weight loss and length from date of surgery. I got the distinct impression (without anyone saying so overtly) that the people who did have the band kind of regretted it and those who had considered it, decided on bypass or sleeve instead. That's basically been my path as well. I was set on the band until I read more about the sleeve, then I knew right away that was the right choice for me.

[Grace]

I've heard my bariatric coordinator say it is looking like many hospitals won't even be offering the lap-band within a couple of years. Most folks are going for the sleeve or the RNY now. Lap band has too many complications. More people have trouble than those who do not.

[abequa2000]

Had band in 2010 going with the sleeve in april with the band i had trouble right from the start, now Dr wants it out my esophagus is so tight the band is half full i cant eat if they did any more fills i would chok so its coming out i lost 68 pounds and cant loss any more.