Sleeve vs band

[jenniferg 7]

Hello everyone.

So I met with the surgeon today and after receiving so much info about both I'm confused about what to get? Does the sleeve make you feel the same way the band does as its going down. Does it get stuck?

What happens if you get pregnant? Does your stomach expand again and the surgery becomes a waste of time and money?

I just want to hear what ppl think about the band and sleeve.

[sramos89 260]

My doctor gave me the facts about both and let me decide. It was easy for me, the band is a foreign object in your body that can slip and errode. You have to have the band filled. You also have more grehlin left in your body than if you choose vsg. You might want to check out the band board and see what they say about complications and those who are going in and revising from band to vsg. I am 4 months post op and thrilled with my decision to do this and this and not the band. This is something I can live with and not be going for fills. Just my 2 cents but everyone is different and you have to do that is best for you!

[jen1211 203]

I opted for the sleeve over the band because I also think having a foreign object in your body is just asking for something bad to happen. The adjustments and frequent office visits were another negative for me. There are a lot of people on here who have had the sleeve after the band failed too. Good luck in whatever you decide!

[jenniferg 7]

Thank you that's how I thought about the band when he explained it to me. I am going to continue to do research but so far sleeve sounds better

[The.new.g 48]

Honestly, with the current statistics available on the band, there is really no reason for anyone to be getting a band these days. Obviously those of us with revisions did it for a reason, and there are some people out there who are still happy with their bands. But the latest numbers say that at 2 years about 20% of band patients have had it removed and at 5 years it's about 50%. Weight loss is not nearly as good, and some of the complications are really terrible. I didn't have any of them, but my band broke during my pregnancy and I regained a lot of weight before my revision. It is looking like pretty soon the band will no longer be done at all in the US, because the other surgeries are all superior.

Already I am doing better with the sleeve than I did with the band--to me it's a no-brainer. Good luck to you!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Can't speak to the pregnancy questions, but the sleeve does not have the same problems as the band. Of course, you have to eat small amounts etc etc but it is just alot easier to live with then the band. I agree that given the choices we now have - I don't know why surgeons are even still doing the band. I suspect they like the income from the fills and complications, but maybe I am being too negative.

I had the lapband for 10 years....

[deltadawn817 106]

I chose my surgery and went to mexico for it. My sister is now on the path and has insurance that will cover it. The Dr she is going to will only to lap bad if someone really wants it. HE does not recommend it anymore there are just way to many issues with it and he feels people don't succeed.

[jen1211 203]

The surgeon at the hospital I work at actually stopped doing the band due to all of the complications.