Need Help! Surgery Date Dec. 20th

[albertogunz 1]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 44 year old male with Type II Diabetes and a BMI of 37 I weigh about 260. i was originally going for LapBand Surgery on December 20th (18 days away-yippee) and received a call from my doc this morning after he received a pre-op lab. My sugar levels are very high and they are afraid that i might not see the same success in reversing my type II condition as i would in considering a sleeve. Can anyone share any info they have regarding sleeve vs. band and how it has been working for them. i know there are a lot of converts from band to sleeve on this site , so I'm starting to lose a little faith in the band and weather or not that would be a good choice for me.

Any and all feedback would be very helpful. I need to make a decision in the next couple of days and I'm a little confused.

Thanks for your help

[Tiffykins 673]

Honestly, if I were you I would running and hugging that surgeon. While the band can be successful, you'll find that the sleeve is much better all around. From complications, and slow weight loss, to just a pain in the butt to find the "every elusive" sweet spot for restriction.

I'll add you to my friends list, and from there you can read my blog. I have tons of research links, articles, dietary guidelines, all in there. Plus, there is a post in there that is a list of complications and stats that was released by the band manufacturer showing that 1 in 4 band patients will need another surgery within 5 years.

I didn't have co-morbidities pre-op, and I can tell you firsthand that the sleeve is far superior over the band.

Best wishes in your research ! ! !

[TexasT 99]

3.5 yrs after getting a band I went to my surgeon to discuss pain I was having to make sure the band was OK. Ended up that it was my gall bladder (which I had removed during my revision). But my doc told me that he was seeing more and more band patients that were having complications 3-6 yrs post-op with the band. I had been at a stall in my weight loss for pretty much 3 yrs and was very unhappy with the problems I had with the band - such as not being able to eat salads, fruit and other healthy things because they would get stuck. I was constantly running to the bathroom to throw up, or just sitting at the dinner table with "that look" on my face meaning the food was not going down.

Tiffy had problems with scarring around her stomach where the band had been. I ended up with a hiatial hernia because of it. Removing the port during my revision surgery left a huge internal hole that filled with blood and caused a hematoma, which later ruptured. I don't miss ANYTHING about the band. Living with the sleeve is effortless, and I'm now at my goal weight.

I'm about ready to print some T-shirts saying "BAN THE BAND!!!"

[albertogunz 1]

Thanks for your feedback-these are great things to hear-it sounds like you are all happy with the sleeve. I'd love to hear from more band-to-sleeve converts, did some more research and it appears it is really great for Type II Diabetes as well. Have either of you had any complications at all as a result of your surgeries, or has it just been smooth sailing?

[monk 0]

I had the Sleeve Oct 29th. Best thing I have ever done. I was prediabetic and on meds. Taken off them before I left the hospital. Elevated blood pressure still on my meds but my blood pressure has been 108 over 78 so looking good there. I opted for no lap band because the two people I know that have it (over a year) and very minimal weigh loss. I am down 36 lbs since Oct 29th. My brother had the sleeve and he was type I and Type II his sugar level is under control now first time in 20 years... He has dropped 110 lbs since August. But do your research and talk with others who have had the band or sleeve

Good luck with your decision. I am happy with mine so far

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quote name=albertogunz' timestamp='1291315587' post='96324]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 44 year old male with Type II Diabetes and a BMI of 37 I weigh about 260. i was originally going for LapBand Surgery on December 20th (18 days away-yippee) and received a call from my doc this morning after he received a pre-op lab. My sugar levels are very high and they are afraid that i might not see the same success in reversing my type II condition as i would in considering a sleeve. Can anyone share any info they have regarding sleeve vs. band and how it has been working for them. i know there are a lot of converts from band to sleeve on this site , so I'm starting to lose a little faith in the band and weather or not that would be a good choice for me.

Any and all feedback would be very helpful. I need to make a decision in the next couple of days and I'm a little confused.

Thanks for your help

[klus263 9]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 44 year old male with Type II Diabetes and a BMI of 37 I weigh about 260. i was originally going for LapBand Surgery on December 20th (18 days away-yippee) and received a call from my doc this morning after he received a pre-op lab. My sugar levels are very high and they are afraid that i might not see the same success in reversing my type II condition as i would in considering a sleeve. Can anyone share any info they have regarding sleeve vs. band and how it has been working for them. i know there are a lot of converts from band to sleeve on this site , so I'm starting to lose a little faith in the band and weather or not that would be a good choice for me.

Any and all feedback would be very helpful. I need to make a decision in the next couple of days and I'm a little confused.

Thanks for your help

I am a 47 yr old female, type 2 diabetic taking 1000 mg Metformin 2x a day. I was first considering the lap band as my insurance did not cover the sleeve but by the time I finished the requirements, they now allow the sleeve. I started a pre surgery liquid diet on November 23. My PCP and I monitored my sugar very closely when I started the diet and that was the last day I took my diabetic medication. I was sleeved Dec 1 and while in the hospital I was given 2 units of insulin once-due to the IV solutions raising my sugar levels. I am now 4 days post op and my sugar level is stabalized between 100 and 110. Most people in my support group with the doctor's office have stated that they are off their medications within just a few days of surgery.

[Billy363627 15]

You know I have been reading the VSC forum for a while now. With all the know problems with the band who would would want to commit to it with all it known problems. I choose the vsg and really soon I hope that it happens for me.