From Vertical to LapBand

[ginajohnson 0]

I had the Vertical Sleeve and am wondering if I gain weight is the LapBand an option? Wasn't sure if the doctors can do a LapBand after a Sleeve?

[MIJourney 490]

Can't answer your question but you usually read about people going from lap-band to sleeve.

[mokee 588]

Why in the world would you want this?

[BigDaddyJoe 246]

Why in the world would you want this?

i agree - why???

Are you already failing, or expecting to fail?

[marfar7 1,533]

Why in the world would you want this?

I 2nd this sentiment. I revised from a labband to a sleeve 7 weeks ago. I wouldn't recommend the band to anyone.

#1: It has a very high complication rate. Almost 50% of people eventually have a complication ( I actually think it's much higher but those r the official stats) and with only 15% of ur stomach, u can't afford to lose anymore. It took my dr 30 extra minutes to dig my band out of my stomach, leaving damage. It's a good thing he took most of it out!

#2: It's the least productive surgery. If you can't lose with the sleeve, what makes you think a lesser surgery will work better?

#3: You're always chasing the elusive "sweet spot". It took me 4 mths to find it and many times to refind it in the 3 1/2 yrs I had it. It's like a heroin addict...

#4: Not sure a dr would even recommend or do a band over sleeve. most drs are phasing the lapband out (I think it was a fad, like Phen-Fen in the 90's). Altho I've heard of band-over-bypass (Carnie Wilson comes to mind). If they do it with that, there's a possibility they'd do it with the sleeve.

If I were you and the sleeve failed (I guess it happens to sleeves too. It happens to lots of lapbanders. I guess it never dawned on me that it wouldn't work. I mean they took out 85 of my stomach. How can it NOT work?) I would talk to my dr about the RNY. Seems like the logical next step. I didn't want the RNY cuz it seemed too drastic to lose 44 lbs. Not as if taking 85% of my stomach out isn't drastic, but not as drastic, IMHO.

Good luck with ur decision. I loved my band while it was working. Then it wasn't. You have to be a 100% rule follower to have the lapband. If you can't follow every rule to the T, the bands not for you.

[gmanbat 5,889]

Like having a team from MIT fix your computer problems and after they are done have a neighborhood kid on retainer in case anything goes wrong.

[pantala 125]

Like others said, you don't want to use a less effective tool if the more effective tool doesn't work.

If your sleeve "fails" the next step would be the duodenal switch (DS) surgery for which the sleeve is a first step. But that is drastic, so give your sleeve (and you!) every chance to work.

[Beach Lover 1,084]

They would have to use a rubber band! Why would you even consider this with all the complications that your read on here? If it's just a question the complications you read on here would also answer that one.

[ChristineR 128]

I would go for a sleeve revision over the lapband. Not sure the lap band is even possible after the surgery.

[buplee 556]

I had the Vertical Sleeve and am wondering if I gain weight is the LapBand an option? Wasn't sure if the doctors can do a LapBand after a Sleeve?

The options after veg are a duodenal switch or a gastric bypass. Most surgeons are moving away from the LapBand due to the high rate of failure and complications.

[Michellemo 161]

My doctor said sleeve to bypass. I would never get a lap band after all the research I've done on them.