Sleeve Or Lap Band? How Do I Decide Which Is Best For Me?

[kflan 27]

Hi!

I've been researching lap band surgery for awhile, until just recently learning about the gastric sleeve. I'm looking for advice on how to decide which is best?? I would like to get pregnant within the next few years, so i'm not sure if that makes a difference as to which surgery to choose. How did some of you decide for yourselves?

Any help/advice would be appreciated!!

Also, I'm not sure if it matters or not, but I am 33 years old, 5'5" and 235 lbs..... with no health issues except sleep apnea.....

[Darkkyss 33]

It is what you feel comfortable with, speak with your Dr. about both.

I wanted Lap band at first but after speaking to my Dr. I realized I wanted more, with the band just from reading here and others I personally do not think the lap band is that great anymore. There is some Dr.'s that do not want to even continue with the lap band. It slips, scar tissue, the weight loss is more like 30% to 40% of your over weightiness (hope that makes since LOL) so say you are 100lbs over weight you will more then likely lose 40 or so lbs might be more might be less.

The Sleeve on the other hand is for life! There is no turning back, and if you have to many issues it will turn into a gastro bypass. The plus side, most people lost anywhere from 70 to 80% of there over weightiness or MORE. It is a life style change, it is major surgery I know people say they went back to work in a week but honestly at least take 2 weeks get used to the change in food and body. I did go find the bad side of the sleeve from this site to make sure I knew both sides and there is scary stuff out there but I spoke with my Dr. about all my concerns. Ask questions how many leaks have they had and how many sleeves turned into bypass.

Ask people questions on here, you read someone stories send a message ask questions!

Good luck on your choice!

[traceyinflorida 499]

I would look in several places for information...on this forum read throught the posts under lap band to sleeve revisions. Read Sleeve success stories. Also search for post about would you do it again on this forum to get the pros and cons of sleeve. Then go to the Lap Band forum and read the success stories, but also search for posts for the struggles people are having. I would look at success rates, weight loss totals, long term weight loss maintenance and complications. Finally I would ask your surgeon.

My two cents. I was planning on getting the lap band. Several reasons I chose sleeve instead:

1. better overall percentage of weight loss with sleeve vs band

2. faster weight loss with sleeve vs band

3. no maintenence (fills, unfills etc.) on sleeve

4. no foreign device in my body that could errode, slip or cause other complications.

I am 11 years older than you and had starting weight of 272 at 5'9". I had no health issues other than mild sleep apnea and being overweight. I am glad I made the choice I did.

[ShapeShifter 64]

Do a search here for band to sleeve revisions. It may help educate your decision, with words of experience. Best of luck with journey!

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I would look in several places for information...on this forum read throught the posts under lap band to sleeve revisions. Read Sleeve success stories. Also search for post about would you do it again on this forum to get the pros and cons of sleeve. Then go to the Lap Band forum and read the success stories, but also search for posts for the struggles people are having. I would look at success rates, weight loss totals, long term weight loss maintenance and complications. Finally I would ask your surgeon.

My two cents. I was planning on getting the lap band. Several reasons I chose sleeve instead:

1. better overall percentage of weight loss with sleeve vs band

2. faster weight loss with sleeve vs band

3. no maintenence (fills, unfills etc.) on sleeve

4. no foreign device in my body that could errode, slip or cause other complications.

I am 11 years older than you and had starting weight of 272 at 5'9". I had no health issues other than mild sleep apnea and being overweight. I am glad I made the choice I did.

I agree with everything said here. I am going to have a revision from lapband to sleeve. The maintenance is not fun sometimes you can't get the right restriction: either to tight or too loose. I would have never have gotten the lapband if the sleeve was available 5 years ago.

IMHO go with the sleeve, my revision is September 10.............

[iggychic 1,405]

I think it depends on why you are overweight. I'm four days out of surgery and almost died having a sleeve done. I am not someone who eats extreme amounts and I don't mind following instructions. I personally wish I'd have done the less invasive procedure. I may lose weight but I now have to worry about what I may have caught in the blood transfusions. My son would rather have a plump mommy than no mommy at all. I regret what I have put my family through. I should have done a band.

[jrabbit81 89]

Why would you have caught something having a blood transfusion, I'm really freaked out now :-( x

[iggychic 1,405]

There is a 1 in 14000 chance that your body will have an allergic reaction to the blood which ranges from mild allergy issues to anaphaliphic shock. Your body can be thrown into high fever because it wants to fight off the foreign blood which can hurt or kill you. The more blood the more risk. An immune reaction can occur which attacks your lungs. You have a 1 in 350000 chance of contracting hep it's b or c and a much lower chance of HIV. The HIV risk is very low in the us but it's still there.

I feared getting the blood more than anything else but would not have recovered without it. Not something anyone talks about much huh? And to be clear....I was a 35bmi with zero risk factors. My surgery was supposed to be "easy".

[robynluevano 85]

I think it depends on why you are overweight. I'm four days out of surgery and almost died having a sleeve done. I am not someone who eats extreme amounts and I don't mind following instructions. I personally wish I'd have done the less invasive procedure. I may lose weight but I now have to worry about what I may have caught in the blood transfusions. My son would rather have a plump mommy than no mommy at all. I regret what I have put my family through. I should have done a band.

Why do you think you may have caught something?? That's crazy! I hope you heal quickly! What surgeon/city are you??

[jrabbit81 89]

So do we all have to get a blood transfusion or only if there is complications?

[iggychic 1,405]

I had dr billings in Edmonds wa. I don't think it was anything he did wrong, just one of the rare complications that come up (at least I hope so). My only issue with my treatment is that I wish they had sent me to he hospital earlier. I spent 24 hours in almost constant full body spasms. I've never suffered so much in my life.

[iggychic 1,405]

So do we all have to get a blood transfusion or only if there is complications?

No, not everyone gets a transfusion. But it's a possible issue for anyone.

[jrabbit81 89]

Mah, now that freaks me out! Glad you are ok x

[iggychic 1,405]

Thanks Hun. I don't want to totally freak you out but I wish I'd have heard that this can happen. I went in as a zero risk, healthy "fat" person with a low bmi and no comorbidity issues. I should have researched it longer and I regret I didn't. The sleeve is a great choice for many but I probably didn't need something so extreme. Just be sure to really mull all of the possibilities and be sure you take time to make the right decision for you. Best of luck!

[jrabbit81 89]

Thank you, my bmi is 40.9, I'm 240lbs, 5'4 and 30 years old. I know I can lose the weight but I need the sleeve to help me keep it off. I'm so tired of yo yo dieting!