Procedure Conflicted. Thought I Wanted The Band But Now I Am Unsure- Maybe The Sleeve- Help!

[buplee 556]

I am scheduled to start pre-op next week for a 9/27 surgery date. I have a very supported wife who has been with me through my weight struggled for almost 30 years. I was all set to be banded but I am now thinking about the sleeve. I have been told I am a good candidate for both. I know four banders, three with complications and one with none, all who have lost a significant amount of weight but did it in their 40's. I want to be done with my lifelong struggles with weight issue. I know either path has challenges and takes hard work. I want to lose without the stuck feeling and other complications.

[chris54 106]

Hi

I have not had my procedure yet my reasoning for selecting the sleeve vs band is that with the band I was told you have to go in and periodially have it adjusted. This was confirmed when I went to the groups and members there had the band. Oh there was a lady at group she had lost quite a bit of weight, she had to have a procedure because the band slipped due to her weight loss. So I think you would have to consider that as well. I suggest you talk it over with the support group folks, doctor and make a decision that is good for you.Good Luck

[Sleevedreamz 107]

I was in your boat also. I went in initially planning on the sleeve bc it seemed "less invasive", but when I looked at the statistics and all of the boards, as well as talke to my surgical staff, I talked myself out of the band and into the sleeve. There are several people I know who have the band and although they have experienced some weight loss, there have been issues and they are constantly having to fill and infill, etc. My surgeon advocated for me to have either the sleeve or RNY simply bc he felt I could be more successful long term. I was sleeved Tuesday and I just know I made rhe right decision. The surgery had no issues (although I did react to the anesthesia which would have happened either way) and I am already feeling somewhat normal if that's possible. I know it seems crazy, but the fact that I can eat a small amount of Soup and become full and satisfied makes me feel more normal than I have in years. I know you have to do what is best for you, but this feels like success already and the complications are just so minimal. Good luck with your decision and your journey!

Rach

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I am going for a revision from the band to the sleeve on the 10th. I have had the band for 5 years. As you must see from your friends with issues, there can be some and then you may need it removed and be back to where you started: getting the sleeve. I say sleeve all the way.

[lollyfidy1965 402]

I chose the sleeve because I didn't want "stuff" in my body....and I didn't want to have to deal with adjusting that "stuff" once the procedure was done. I've got my sleeve...its working wonders for me...and I couldn't be more pleased!

Best of luck!

Laura

[susanfaye 162]

I know there is a forum here for band to sleeve revisions. Maybe check that out to see what some issues with the band vs sleeve are?

[buplee 556]

Thank you. It's good to hear that I am not alone. My neighbor had the band and it took him 2 year to lose 80 pounds. He got married a few months Go went on a cruise and gained 25 pounds. I don't want a life of multiple trips to the doctor for fills. I have had two major surgeries in four years (total knee replacement and another surgery due to a staph and strep infection which effected the knee implant). I am nervous about having so much of a critical organ removed to gain control.

[buplee 556]

Rachdreamz, good advice. My wife is all for the sleeve. I have a network of support from friends who have had wls and the support group. I will be making a decision when I speak to the surgeon on Wednesday. I have pretty bad reflux but no other comorbities other than my weight.

The one thing I will not do is tell my coworkers. I have hear too many horror stories.

[lsereno 2,525]

I chose the sleeve because it's a one-time procedure that leaves only titanium staples behind. I was frightened of the band and didn't want to deal with the port. Also, from what I read there seems to be less acid reflux issues with the sleeve than with the band.

Lynda

[mysunflower621 69]

I was all ready to get the band and then I started to have second thoughts. My friend has the band and although she lost weight she's had problems such as the band slipping, the port moving and now not being in the right place, having to get fills which is a needle in the stomach each time and still never reaching her "sweet spot", she ended up with a hernia that wrapped itself around her port and pulled on the band and she threw up more time than I can count because of food getting stuck. She can't take her regular pills or Vitamins, no otc medications, they all get stuck, she has to crush anything she needs to take. Granted, everyone is different, but after seeing all this and hearing stories about how the band will basically stop working after a certain period of time, I realized for me and my health issues, this was not the right path for me to take.. Not to mention I HATE the thought of throwing up and having food stuck.. bleck!

Once I learned more about the sleeve from my surgeon and his staff as well as what I've been able to learn on these wonderful boards adn the folks I've met and spoken to, I realized that the sleeve is the right option for me as well as my long term outlook of actually maintaining hte weight loss. Not to metnion it is a one time deal, it heals and there are no foreign objects harming your body, no fills needed and it gives me a new outlook on how to live the rest of my life healthy.

SO.. here i am, waiting for my doctor to resubmit everything to the insurance company because even though the requirements are the same, they won't approve the sleeve without receiving the paperwork again, they won't just change the code like other insurance companies do.

Good luck, it's not an easy decision but weigh all your options and do what is best for you and your long term goals and health!

[lollyfidy1965 402]

I chose the sleeve because it's a one-time procedure that leaves only titanium staples behind. I was frightened of the band and didn't want to deal with the port. Also, from what I read there seems to be less acid reflux issues with the sleeve than with the band.

Lynda

Lynda...I don't know how much truth there is regarding the sleeve resulting in "less acid reflux issues". I came home from the hospital on liquid Zantac, twice a day, and had a daily Prevacid solutab added 3 weeks later, because I was having breakthrough reflux. Many people on this site report having significant issues with acid reflux after having the sleeve done. Having said that, I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything....even if it meant I wouldn't have to take Zantac and Prevacid.

[buplee 556]

I tried relying to each of your relies to my thread from my iPad but that did not work. Thank you all for sharing your respective experiences and decisions on why you are going with the sleeve. All of the experiences that have been shared with the band is helping to make my decision an easier and more informed one

To all of you waiting for insurance approval may that approval come swiftly. I also hope that your respective pre-ops and procedure go smoothly.

I was hesitant to share my thoughts because I am used to being alone in my mind. I am happy to hear from so many people who share my conflict and are working towards resolution. I have to tell my wife she is right as usual, but I should know that after almost three decades.

To all who are post-op and all of us pre-ops- Our journey may not have been easy to get here and beyond, but I wish us all success and smooth sailing.

[buplee 556]

How was the pre-op diet? I have heard so many stories about it. I'm sure I will be starting mine on Monday or Wednesday.

[buplee 556]

I know there is a forum here for band to sleeve revisions. Maybe check that out to see what some issues with the band vs sleeve are?

I visited that forum. There are some very scary tales being told over there.

[lollyfidy1965 402]

How was the pre-op diet? I have heard so many stories about it. I'm sure I will be starting mine on Monday or Wednesday.

I didn't have any problem with the pre-op diet. I had 3 Protein replacements (I chose to use these for Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack), and then a "normal" dinner, consisting of 4 oz lean Protein, and non-starchy veggies. I was able to eat all the non-starchy veggies I wanted, throughout the day...and I took advantage of that, whenever I felt the urge to snack.< /p>