I Can't Make Up My Mind! Sleeve Or Band :-/

[Jlewis229 191]

I have searched and researched and just can't figure it out!

I like that the band is adjustable, It's the least invasive and I'll lose my weight at a slower pace BUT it scares me that I could have complications bad enoug to have to get it completely taken out and wasting 11K!!

I like that the sleeve makes your stomach much smaller and that most of the Hormone that makes you hungry is gone. I like that If their will be complications that it'll happen closer to the beginning but their is no taking it out or wasting the money.

Anyone had both? Please If anyone can shed some light on this for me i'd appreciate it!

Johnathan

[kyllfalcon 768]

Your question provides the answer. Those with bands are revising to sleeves at a blinding rate. There must be a reason.

Not saying the band doesn't work, it just seems to cause a whole lot of complications. I originally started out thinking I wanted the band because it is reversible, but I changed my mind on my first visit to the surgeon's office, where I met so many there having the band removed.

Over half of the patients I met/meet are those who are either having the band removed or revised to a sleeve.

[MoreganK 164]

I haven't had either. I'm about to get a sleeve.. in 2 days in fact. I researched what to do for a year. The thing I decided pretty quickly was the lap band was looking more and more like the more dangerous option. There were higher risks of complication later. My surgeon in fact lets his patients make the final call, but he supports the sleeve surgery more than the band. He pointed out to remember that with the band it is intended to be forever, and you have to constantly adjust it. I also know two people who have the band, who are currently both looking to have revision surgery done to the sleeve. They don't know each other but, have similar complaints.

For me personally, after gathering this information, and the fact that having a foreign object in me wigged me out, I decided that the sleeve felt like the safest option. I hope that you can gather enough information to make the best decision for yourself.

[Jlewis229 191]

Thanks Ladies!

I'm really leaning toward the sleeve at this point because of people getting revisions and I read an Artivle today that the Fed Gov't just subpoenad Allergan(maker of Lap Band) because they are having up to 40% complications right now! That's CRAZY!!

Here is that Article:

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/allergan-lap-band-subpoena-27019/

I just don't want to waste this money because I don't see myself having another 15k to spend on surgery! Besides the fact that I don't want a lot of complications and a 2nd surgery. I'm probably looking at doing the sleeve now, I'm just trying to make the decision before Wednesday.

Johnathan

[emily_0192010 168]

Hey Johnathan

One of the reasons I was against the band was because it would need adjustments for LIFE! Some surgeons charge per adjustment. To me that seemed like a lot of money! Plus, considering these things are supposed to be for life, they have an awful lot of revision surgery's!

I know the sleeve may seem scary, since it removes so much of your stomach. But it calmed me to know that people live very healthy lives after having complete gastrectomys for other reasons (cancers, ulcers, trauma, etc). Plus, with this surgery our stomach still behaves the same way and the way the food enters and exits is the same! It is simply smaller. Yes, there is a small chance of leak, but there are less worries long term then the band.

Good luck with your decision! Also, since we are so biased over here (in the best way of course!) you should check out the "lapbandtalk" website as well to get some other opinions as well

[desertmom 297]

Hi

Band to sleeve revision here.I wouldnt ever advise anyone to gst the band.For msot people it is not IF I get complications but WHEN I get complications.Of the people that I knew when I had the band in 2004 NOT ONE still have it,not one.

Here where I live, some of the surgeons have completely stopped doing the band.The ones that only ever did the band (european surgeons visiting here once a month to just do surgeries,of course still so the same.

Of course I am biased as I love love love the sleeve.I did the band for exactly the reasons you mentioned but I had nothing but complications with it,right from the start.

The sleeve feels to me what I thought the band would be.

Good luck with your decision!

[Jlewis229 191]

Hey Johnathan

One of the reasons I was against the band was because it would need adjustments for LIFE! Some surgeons charge per adjustment. To me that seemed like a lot of money! Plus' date=' considering these things are supposed to be for life, they have an awful lot of revision surgery's!

I know the sleeve may seem scary, since it removes so much of your stomach. But it calmed me to know that people live very healthy lives after having complete gastrectomys for other reasons (cancers, ulcers, trauma, etc). Plus, with this surgery our stomach still behaves the same way and the way the food enters and exits is the same! It is simply smaller. Yes, there is a small chance of leak, but there are less worries long term then the band.

Good luck with your decision! Also, since we are so biased over here (in the best way of course!) you should check out the "lapbandtalk" website as well to get some other opinions as well [/quote']

Thanks and I have been on lap band talk for a while now. I'm very much leaning toward the sleeve at this point. I'd rather have a complication within the first couple months, I don't want to have to get a revision or spend more money. And I also worry about taking my extended release pain meds because I've heard they don't work the same.

Thanks for all the info everyone!

[Dooter 1,457]

I have searched and researched and just can't figure it out!

I like that the band is adjustable, It's the least invasive and I'll lose my weight at a slower pace BUT it scares me that I could have complications bad enoug to have to get it completely taken out and wasting 11K!!

I like that the sleeve makes your stomach much smaller and that most of the Hormone that makes you hungry is gone. I like that If their will be complications that it'll happen closer to the beginning but their is no taking it out or wasting the money.

Anyone had both? Please If anyone can shed some light on this for me i'd appreciate it!

Johnathan

This website is FULLLLL of band to sleeve revisions. Read up on their experiences. It's very eye opening. Makes me very very very glad I never messed with the band.

[NancyJerry 139]

Johnathan,

I hope you really use the search bar on this forum as there have been a ton of excellent conversations about just this topic. I've not had both, but my sister had/has the band and I the Sleeve. I don't want to "convince" you to go either way. This is a VERY PERSONAL decision. But since you've asked, allow me to share MY point of view and observations of my sister and myself.

My sister had her done 3 years ago. She's lost about 60 pounds total. In the first year, she lost like 30 or 40 and put that back on. She got serious and re-lost it again with a little more. She is very unhappy with the amount she's lost. In the medical world you only need to lose 50% of your EXCESS weight for them to consider your loss a success. She cannot eat "normally." Everything she eats is "slider" foods so stuff covered in gravies and syrups. Pasta dishes and Desserts. Go figure she isn't still losing. When someone fixes a meal or she goes to a party of some sort, it's all about what "can" she eat, versus what "should" she eat. She has to go in constantly for fills and, when that makes her sick, un-fills. This process is on going. That's a lot to maintain, IMO.

I had my sleeve done on 3/27 (12 weeks ago) I'm down 50-52 pounds. I have no foreign body in my body for my body to absorb or reject. There is no maintenance. I "can" eat most anything without problem. As time goes by, other than carbonated beverages, I will be able to eat whatever I want. Of course, this sleeve is a tool and we need to always be mindful about what we eat, but if I go to a party and it's all foods I wouldn't normally eat - I don't stress. I love to work out and if I overindulge I just work it off. I am happier and healthier than I've been in over 20 years. And my sister wishes she had had the sleeve done.

I pray that you find the answers you are looking for and get peace with the decision you make!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

I have searched and researched and just can't figure it out!

jlewis229

there is a board called BAND to GASTRIC SLEEVE REVISION

this says it all because it shows many. many people who have had a problem with the Lapband, and have now wisely changed to the SLEEVE

hope we see you in sleeveland

good luck

Kathy

[NancyJerry 139]

Thanks Ladies!

I'm really leaning toward the sleeve at this point because of people getting revisions and I read an Artivle today that the Fed Gov't just subpoenad Allergan(maker of Lap Band) because they are having up to 40% complications right now! That's CRAZY!!

I started my reply then got called away by a phone call. After I finished and posted it, I saw this. Good for you!

[GeekyGamer 24]

In the mandatory class for the surgery, the instructor was saying that they do not recommend the lap bad for people. Also he said they have more people coming in to take it off then they have putting them on. In addition he also said that they only last about 10 years, as it can break.

[New Orleans Lady 12]

Surgical Specialist of Louisiana are located in Covington, La with another office in Slidell, La. They are an awesome group of doctors, and have very low complication rates, I believe less than 1%..... I was extremely happy with my doc, James Redmann, but they are all great doctors. Other doctors travel here to watch them do surgery since they are known for their low complication rates and successful surgeries. Good Luck with whoever you choose to go with.

[Wheetsin 714]

Coming to a VSG board, you're probably not going to get many unbiased answers. With that being said, see below in blue.

I have searched and researched and just can't figure it out!

I like that the band is adjustable, This is true, but that's something a lot of people end up misunderstanding. Most people need a lot of adjustment to get their "sweet spot" - if they can get ever get there. At self-pay, fill/unfill costs range from about $150 - $400. And if you have to travel for them, that factors in as well. I lucked out and found my sweet spot after about 3 fills, but then had to get an emergency unfill and never really got back to that sweet spot. It's hard to get to, because seriously a quarter of a cc (which is almost immeasurable to the eye) can make a night/day difference. It's the least invasive true but negligible and I'll lose my weight at a slower pace not guaranteed - so far I lost much faster with my band BUT it scares me that I could have complications bad enoug to have to get it completely taken out and wasting 11K!! The band also has fairly high long-term complications risks - primarily in prolapse, but also in erosion. There are also less common complications that arise from the pressure the band can place on nnerves around the stomach (may or may not be related to prolapse). My father's lapband did this and he spent 11 days in the hospital with extreme (but thankfully acute) gastroparesis - resolved through removal. He has since been rebanded and is doing fine this time around, so far. More on this below, outside of the quote.

I like that the sleeve makes your stomach much smaller and that most of the Hormone that makes you hungry is gone. I like that If their will be complications that it'll happen closer to the beginning but their is no taking it out or wasting the money. No taking it out (it comes out the first time) but there are complications that can arise down the road. They're just different complications than what comes up closer to immediately post-op.

Anyone had both? Please If anyone can shed some light on this for me i'd appreciate it! I had a lapband for 6 years. I lost a lot of weight fairly quickly. My band prolapsed ("slipped") and had to be removed. I don't know anyone who has had their band for 5+ years and has not, or doesn't need to, have it removed.

Johnathan

Obviously this needs to be 100% your decision, but knowing what I know now, if I were paying out of pocket, I would go with the VSG or DS. I would not self-pay for a lap-band. I have 0% confidence in its integrity as a long-term solution. If it had worked the way it was marketed it could've been the perfect solution, but people just don't seem to be able to keep it in, and functioning properly, for very long.

If I'd self-paid for my band, I'd be pissed. My complication was considered a "mechanical failure" and the different band manufacturers do nothing. I'm amazed it's still as sought out as it is.

BTW, having had both is called a "revision" (one proedure revised to another). There's an entire forum here for band -> sleeve revisions. Check it out if you want a comparison. But to be fair, also check out www.lapbandtalk.com. There's a complications forum there, you can see what's going on.

[Jlewis229 191]

Thank you all so much! I have made up my mind that I am going with the sleeve for sure!

I am not going to take the chance to spend this kind of money and it not last!

i have read over and over about both of these and was trying to get a little more insight and definitely I am going to get the sleeve. Their are a couple Dr's i have researched for this and hope to make an appt for consult soon.

Thanks everyone!