Band Vs Sleeve?

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I would recommend asking a qualified surgeon about the differences and the believed pros/cons of each.

Very good idea, this is what Dr. Alvarez from Endobariatric says about Lapband vs Sleeve. He is one of the most respected bariatric surgeons in North America he has and does perform both surgeries, but I will say, he is does have his preference.

[Lapbandster 496]

The band is much less drastic. Any way you slice it.

Now if your older, and have a hard time changing your eating habits, or don't want to ever have children (and worry about getting enough nutrition), and need to do a "quick" weight loss without being patient about fills/getting to the green zone, then the sleeve may be for you

For me, I want very badly to have kids and the LB is the least invasive, most controlled WLS out there. if for whatever reason, i need to eat more, i can always get an unfill. that is not the case with any other WLS.

BEWARE of some doctors!! Some will try to sway you into sleeve or bypass even if that's not the best option for you- that is because these are the surgeries that make them the most $$ (they bill 2.5 times the amount they bill for LB) AND they dont have to "waste" their time on follow ups/fills (follow ups and fills don't really make the big bucks-surgeries do). My doctor himself told me this, so just be careful

One last thing- as mis73 has said: I just couldn't bare the thought of removing 3/4 of my very healthy stomach. It just made me feel queasy. Obviously, if the LB didn't work i might try something more invasive, but I knew i needed to try the LB first

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Very good idea, this is what Dr. Alvarez from Endobariatric says about Lapband vs Sleeve. He is one of the most respected bariatric surgeons in North America he has and does perform both surgeries, but I will say, he is does have his preference.

If this doctor is an "expert" I'm afraid. He doesn't even have his facts straight. Quality of life? Frequent vomiting? Fills every 2-3 months? NONE of this correct.

Oh and that the Sleeve doesn't have as much complications? I would call leaking all along the line where the stomach has been hacked off a pretty severe complication. Just say'n.

It's obvious he's just another doctor trying to sell the real money maker, the Sleeve.

[Lapbandster 496]

Very good idea, this is what Dr. Alvarez from Endobariatric says about Lapband vs Sleeve. He is one of the most respected bariatric surgeons in North America he has and does perform both surgeries, but I will say, he is does have his preference.

One of the most respected surgeons in north america? I have been researching lapbands for 2 years and never once heard of him.

He says "I know this sounds like really really cool" when referring to the LB. no offense, but talking like a teenager doesn't make a doctor respectable in my eyes.

Of course i'm not trying to stir pots over here and for someone who already decided on the sleeve please don't get mad at me, but i don't know how doctors (like this one) can chant about the sleeve's better "long term success" being that the sleeve has only been done for a few years (the band has been done since the '90's). how can ANYONE know the long term success rate of ANY wls (I'm talking 40+ years down the line),

he's quick to make funny faces at the thought of erosion's/slips but conveniently doesn't mention how research is showing that losing the hormone ghrelin can be dangerous, how people with sleeve's may end up suffering with tremendous reflux for life, and how the stomach can perforate causing life threatening abdominal leakage/internal bleeding. I would never trust a doc who promises "no long term risks" how can he (or anyone) possibly know that??

I just get really offended that any doctor can talk like this with such obvious ignorance/cockyness

[Lapbandster 496]

If this doctor is an "expert" I'm afraid. He doesn't even have his facts straight. Quality of life? Frequent vomiting? Fills every 2-3 months? NONE of this correct.

Oh and that the Sleeve doesn't have as much complications? I would call leaking all along the line where the stomach has been hacked off a pretty severe complication. Just say'n.

It's obvious he's just another doctor trying to sell the real money maker, the Sleeve.

Very well said. I'm practically speechless that this doc can post such misinformation publicly on youtube.

My doctor warned me that some other docs may try to spin the information that sways you from LB (possibly for their own personal reasons) but this guy is something else.

Again, not saying that sleeve is a bad choice (and i know a guy who got sleeved and is thrilled), but c'mon. Docs should at least have the decency to relay (somewhat) accurate information

[keda 56]

PLEASE! Give me your Personal opinion my Husband has great insurance for me thank God no out of pocket expense at all. But he don't want me to get the sleeve we both want me to get the band. But he could be changing jobs in 6 months can't pay out of poket for insurance. So after 6 months I'll have to pay and I don't get surgery till next month. Pay out of pocket he say. I say sleeve no out of pocket! What would u do.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

PLEASE! Give me your Personal opinion my Husband has great insurance for me thank God no out of pocket expense at all. But he don't want me to get the sleeve we both want me to get the band. But he could be changing jobs in 6 months can't pay out of poket for insurance. So after 6 months I'll have to pay and I don't get surgery till next month. Pay out of pocket he say. I say sleeve no out of pocket! What would u do.

My personal recommendation is pretty obvious. I definitely think the sleeve was right for me.

Since you haven't decided yet I recommend researching both this site & Vertical Sleeve Talk.

[keda 56]

Thanks checkng now did u loose to much weight that's what my husband is worried about

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

Thanks checkng now did u loose to much weight that's what my husband is worried about

My surgery was on May 23rd this year. My start weight was 289lbs and I am currently 210. So I've lost 79lbs in 14 weeks. The weight loss was pretty rapid the first couple months and has tapered to 2-3lbs a week for the last 4 weeks.

Btw you can sign into VST with the same screen info you use here. They are sister forums.

[keda 56]

Amazing keep it up hope u took pics

[lawismylife 41]

PLEASE! Give me your Personal opinion my Husband has great insurance for me thank God no out of pocket expense at all. But he don't want me to get the sleeve we both want me to get the band. But he could be changing jobs in 6 months can't pay out of poket for insurance. So after 6 months I'll have to pay and I don't get surgery till next month. Pay out of pocket he say. I say sleeve no out of pocket! What would u do.

It depends what yur financial situation is like and how much your fills would cost with the band. Fills can be VERY expensive when done right. I have a doctor that just takes my insurance, and I have gotten a checkup once a month for the first year, and every 2-3 months on average the second year. If you are paying $200 each time for a fill, you may skimp on them. My last fill was only .05 cc's which made a big difference for me because I was in the green zone and every 5-7 lbs at this stage I need a slight tightening. If I were out of pocket maybe I would be cheaper about it and it would affect results.

My husband plays games in terms of waiting too long for a fill, then overfills, then needs unfills. Not out of lack of resources but lack of diligence and that is a factor with the band - it is more up to the individual. Good luck to you.

[keda 56]

Thank you all so much. Thanks for taking the time to write you guys are so helpful have a Healthy happy day.

[Sara Lee 8]

Thank you all, for your replies to my first question. It surely gives me a lot to think about. I can see pros and cons for both but what I like best about band vs sleeve best is that band is reversable whereas the sleeve is not. I'm past the psych consult, nutritionist, surgeion consult, I'm keeping a diet journal, exercising and have lost a tiny bit of weight (in comparison to how obese I am) and am now waiting for insurance to approve. I hope they do approve and we'll go from there ! Thank you all again, so much - I appreciate your thoughts and replies.

[♕ajtexas♕ 3,771]

Thank you all' date=' for your replies to my first question. It surely gives me a lot to think about. I can see pros and cons for both but what I like best about band vs sleeve best is that band is reversable whereas the sleeve is not. I'm past the psych consult, nutritionist, surgeion consult, I'm keeping a diet journal, exercising and have lost a tiny bit of weight (in comparison to how obese I am) and am now waiting for insurance to approve. I hope they do approve and we'll go from there ! Thank you all again, so much - I appreciate your thoughts and replies.[/quote']

Good luck, got my fingures crossed.

[bigenuff 302]

I'm still so consisted I want the sleeve but what will happen to my tummy 10 years from now. So I will go with the band but to me the risk are greater.

Although the sleeve sounds very exciting this is another issue.There are no long term studies.no one knows what will happen 10 yrs from now .