Just decided to get the sleeve instead of the band...and SO happy....I think :)

[lyndeeboo 68]

For the past few years I've wanted to get banded. I go to Church with a woman who was very successful and she inspired me. My insurance doesn't cover any procedures so after I was done having kiddos my husband added me to his insurance policy. I officially became covered January 1st, so on Jan 3rd I had a consultation with two surgeons, Dr. Nicholson at the Nicholson clinic and then I had an appointment at True Results, Dallas.

During my first appt Dr. Nicholson suggested I consider the sleeve procedure and for a few seconds I considered it...until I walked in to True Results and they told me how dangerous it was, how it hadn't been on the market long enough, etc. etc. I guess since I'd wanted the band for so long they told me everything I wanted to hear.

I continued going to True Results for two more months, but in the back of my mind I kept going back to what Dr. Nicholson had said. He told me about problems with the band that were just developing and told me that since I lived so far away from a bariatric facility (I have a 3 hr drive, one way) that the band was more than likely not the route I would want to go. He always maintained that if I wanted it he would gladly give me one, but that he just didn't think it was the perfect fit.

I continued to have thoughts that the band probably wasn't the best thing for me, but once i started visiting True Results I felt "stuck" in the sense that I didn't want to waste all of the time I'd already invested. I asked True Results if they offered the sleeve and they said they did, but that their surgeon didn't do as many of them because the band was "better".

About a month ago I started really researching the band vs the sleeve and kept coming across numerous people who had the band, then had problems and revised to the sleeve. I didn't want to be one of those people. I want whatever I choose to work for life and i want to be happy with my decision forever. I also didn't want the surgeon that performed my surgery to do them every once in awhile, I wanted my surgeon to be the best of the best.

I prayed about my decision and asked God to lead me in the right direction, whatever that direction was. The same day I was searching a forum who specifically pointed out True Results and the surgeon that I would have had and said if you're considering him/that clinic to run as fast away as possible. She wasn't speaking to me, but I felt as though she was if that makes sense.

I then decided to contact Dr. Nicholson's clinic and see if they would even take me back. I'd only gone to one appointment and then had "chosen" another doctor, so for all I knew they would tell me tough nuggets. Nope. They said that they loved it when patients researched other doctors and that they were happy that I had "shopped around" and then returned to them.

Lastly, I had been upset that the 2 months worth of nutritional appointments would be wasted in a sense, but had decided that in the long run, what was 2 months of my life, if it meant my life and happieness? Just for the heck of it I thought I would ask the Nicholson clinic if there was any way they would give me credit for the nutrition appointments and sure enough they will!

Everything is falling in to place and I really couldn't be happier and more excited about getting the sleeve. I'm ready to change my life for the better and looking forward to this journey!

Now if I can just jump through the flaming hoops for insurance and get my surgery scheduled

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

EXCELLENT choice! Good for you .. (notice my name)

[tannak 60]

I had my almost 10 year old band removed last November and I will be sleeved at the end of next month! I am hoping the sleeve turns out to be everything the band promised to be but wasn't for me!! Good luck to you!!

[Vicki0618 123]

Wonderful Decision!!! I had to have my band removed after 2 years of so-so weight loss and LOTS of throwing up, because it slipped and completely blocked my stomach. Now here I am 1 week from getting my sleeve and I'm with the previous poster. I am hoping that all the band to sleeve revision people are right and the sleeve turns out to be all the band promised!!!

Good Luck on your journey!

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I am a revisionista, I had my surgery on September 10th 2012 and reached my goal weight on February 24th, 2013. It was absolutely the best decision I could have made. I had the band for 5 years and they certainly hiped it all up but for many it really does not work. I feel the premise of the sleeve makes more sense. I eat much better, have lots of restriction and have not vomited once. Good Luck to you.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

With the band I was down to 104lbs, so I can't say the band didn't work, weightlosswise. Unfortunately, for sooooo many it comes with a lot of maintenance costs and constant medical problems and eventually life threaten complications.

BUT.. It does work with some people. But if you think of the maintenance cost and hassle I find it too pricey!

[sugarmoma 11]

I think the sleeve is the best thing because i to have the band in now and is due to be revised march 19th i had a lot of problems with my band and no one evertold me that the band needed so much maintence always tighten loosen vomitting throwing up and i did have good success far as weight lost but complication and now i have recently put on some weight because my band is deflated i am nervous but yet excited but my date seem so far away but i wish u the best

[lyndeeboo 68]

You are all making me so excited!!! Thank you for taking the time to reply and to support me on this decision!

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Before the dr would ok me for a revision I had to wait 18 months for my stomach to heal from the damage the band did. I gained 89lbs!?!? Yuk! So mad at myself

[GingerPea 1]

For the past few years I've wanted to get banded. I go to Church with a woman who was very successful and she inspired me. My insurance doesn't cover any procedures so after I was done having kiddos my husband added me to his insurance policy. I officially became covered January 1st' date=' so on Jan 3rd I had a consultation with two surgeons, Dr. Nicholson at the Nicholson clinic and then I had an appointment at True Results, Dallas.

During my first appt Dr. Nicholson suggested I consider the sleeve procedure and for a few seconds I considered it...until I walked in to True Results and they told me how dangerous it was, how it hadn't been on the market long enough, etc. etc. I guess since I'd wanted the band for so long they told me everything I wanted to hear.

I continued going to True Results for two more months, but in the back of my mind I kept going back to what Dr. Nicholson had said. He told me about problems with the band that were just developing and told me that since I lived so far away from a bariatric facility (I have a 3 hr drive, one way) that the band was more than likely not the route I would want to go. He always maintained that if I wanted it he would gladly give me one, but that he just didn't think it was the perfect fit.

I continued to have thoughts that the band probably wasn't the best thing for me, but once i started visiting True Results I felt "stuck" in the sense that I didn't want to waste all of the time I'd already invested. I asked True Results if they offered the sleeve and they said they did, but that their surgeon didn't do as many of them because the band was "better".

About a month ago I started really researching the band vs the sleeve and kept coming across numerous people who had the band, then had problems and revised to the sleeve. I didn't want to be one of those people. I want whatever I choose to work for life and i want to be happy with my decision forever. I also didn't want the surgeon that performed my surgery to do them every once in awhile, I wanted my surgeon to be the best of the best.

I prayed about my decision and asked God to lead me in the right direction, whatever that direction was. The same day I was searching a forum who specifically pointed out True Results and the surgeon that I would have had and said if you're considering him/that clinic to run as fast away as possible. She wasn't speaking to me, but I felt as though she was if that makes sense.

I then decided to contact Dr. Nicholson's clinic and see if they would even take me back. I'd only gone to one appointment and then had "chosen" another doctor, so for all I knew they would tell me tough nuggets. Nope. They said that they loved it when patients researched other doctors and that they were happy that I had "shopped around" and then returned to them.

Lastly, I had been upset that the 2 months worth of nutritional appointments would be wasted in a sense, but had decided that in the long run, what was 2 months of my life, if it meant my life and happieness? Just for the heck of it I thought I would ask the Nicholson clinic if there was any way they would give me credit for the nutrition appointments and sure enough they will!

Everything is falling in to place and I really couldn't be happier and more excited about getting the sleeve. I'm ready to change my life for the better and looking forward to this journey!

Now if I can just jump through the flaming hoops for insurance and get my surgery scheduled [/quote']

I think you've made the right decision! I can't tell you how many times I've read that someone had the band and ended up getting the sleeve. My moms friend had the band done 10 years ago and only lost 5 lbs! It's sad to say but she is still very overweight. I was sleeved on January 28th. I'm down 31 lbs as of today. The first 2 weeks are very stressful but you'll get through it! I'm still having a problem trying to get all my Protein in. I've burned out on the Protein drinks.

[shandytx83 27]

same my first and only choice was the band...at my first Dr.app Dr.Kim at colleyville tx told me: "i am not gonna do the band on you" i was like wtf!!! them he explain about all the risk and maintenance,i paid my self for my surgery so he ask me if i have enough money to pay all emergency visits to the hospital and my response was negative! them vsg comes to my best option he explain me all the procedure,next second i was sure vsg was for me,but at same time sad because i hasnt enough money!! so i have to work so hard to get it and trust me is the best choice i ever made "thanks Dr.Kim and his team for the help" now i am 71/2 months post op and i lost almost 90 pounds.

[remedina 14]

I had the band for 5 years and lots of problems with it along the way. Had my revision surgery on January 14th and feel it's the best thing I could have done.

[newat52 1,613]

I just sent you a private message. It wouldn't let me reply. That is normal with me and technology.

[lyndeeboo 68]

Thank you ALL! You've all confirmed that I'm making the right decision!!!