Undecided lap band vs sleeve

[Bandista 7,466]

Best wishes with whatever you decide. The great thing is you are choosing yourself and your health -- turning your life around. These posts, however, are what make me wish Bariatric Pal had not merged all the weight loss surgeries into one site. It's disheartening -- like arguing over politics. We were so happy with our bands and now I feel like have to defend myself. Statistics are interesting, the way they can be interpreted. I think we are lucky to have choices -- I'm sure you will make a good choice for yourself, just like I did.

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

Best wishes with whatever you decide. The great thing is you are choosing yourself and your health -- turning your life around. These posts, however, are what make me wish Bariatric Pal had not merged all the weight loss surgeries into one site. It's disheartening -- like arguing over politics. We were so happy with our bands and now I feel like have to defend myself. Statistics are interesting, the way they can be interpreted. I think we are lucky to have choices -- I'm sure you will make a good choice for yourself, just like I did.

Bandista is very right. I was just engaging in a debate with 2muchfun. I wasn't offended, I hope he wasn't offended. In my mind we were just offering the knowledge that we have each gained through our own experiences and research. We will each interpret that knowledge in our way, and that is why it's critical to read, read, read & ask, ask, ask and synthesize your own opinion. Again, I wish you the best.

[mrsto 2,925]

The Lap band helps patients suffering with obesity and weight related medical disorders to lose weight by restricting how much food could be eaten over the course of a day, resulting in weight loss. With this simple surgical technique, a smaller stomach becomes full sooner and empties into the intestines at a slower rate, promoting slower digestion. Over time, the band can be adjusted according to patient's desires, or if they have met their goal weight. Sleeve gastrectomy is a type of bariatric surgery that drastically reduces the size of the stomach. Also known as a vertical gastrectomy, a partial gastrectomy, gastric reduction, as well as a greater curvature gastrectomy, this type of procedure is offered as an alternative to gastric bypass surgeries and encourages weight-loss in obese patients by removing up to 85% of the stomach. This is a permanent procedure that cannot be reversed, but one that is providing a growing number of obese patients from around the world with life-saving benefits.

Is it just me, or does this read like an advertisement?

Yep - I think so, too.

[Laurensloss 13]

Thanks everyone this has been really helpful

[mrsto 2,925]

The other option, which we don't hear much about in these forums, is Greater Curvature Gastric Plication with the band. Or, alone. By folding and stitching, they make the stomach the shape and size of the sleeve, without the permanence of removing 75% of the stomach. It has also been shown to reduce typical complications with the band alone. I had it done with my band, and I'm thrilled. If something goes wrong, I can undo it, or revise. To jump right into such a drastic alteration of a major organ, was something I couldn't live with. The way things are now, I have options.....if it ever comes to that. But I agree with all above, that everyone needs to do what they're comfortable with. Just do ALL your research, be compliant with whatever you choose......and hope for the best.

[chelan 7]

I am also trying to decide between the sleeve and lap band. I have a couple of questions what happens to the staples in your stomach are they permanent . Can food fall out after 10 years because the staples disintegrate or does your stomach heal shut after a few months and the staples are removed and you don't have to worry about that complication any longer.

[mistysj 1,940]

I am also trying to decide between the sleeve and lap band. I have a couple of questions what happens to the staples in your stomach are they permanent . Can food fall out after 10 years because the staples disintegrate or does your stomach heal shut after a few months and the staples are removed and you don't have to worry about that complication any longer.

The staples are permanent and are not going anywhere because they are over-stitched with sutures. Plus the stomach is sealed shut with heat (cauterized) at the same time as the staples are inserted, by the same instrument. but your stomach also completely heals and would stay together without them afterthought you are healed. This information is readily available at any reputable place that talks about the sleeve procedure, and your surgeon can explain it to you as well. I don't want you to feel that I am calling you out, but I get concerned that people are not doing enough research on their own. Please don't let people on a web forum make your health-related decisions for you.

The band and RNY have staples too.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

to my knowledge, the lap band nor plication have staples.....

[mrsto 2,925]

to my knowledge, the lap band nor plication have staples.....

Correct - the band and plication are both done with sutures only.

[BellaHugz 331]

Hi I am new on the site. I decided I wanted the lap band about 6 months ago. I just got the ball rolling with appointments. I am 5'3 and weigh 270 lbs. My suregon favors the sleeve so I started researching it. Now I am undecided. I like that there is less maintenance with the sleeve and better success but I am wondering if it is too drastic. I am worried that I will regret it later that 90% if my stomach is gone. I like that the lap band is less drastic but I don't like that a lot of people have to have surgery again to readjust the port or slippage. Just wondering if anyone has advice.

Thanks!

I had the lapband and it was slow and steady to get my fills every two months. I too thought the way you do now.

However after years of going through so much and never getting the sweet spot of fills then leaking and kinked lapband. My spirit was broken I was lead to believe I had done something wrong. It took awhile to get enough strengh in my heart to fight for me and get what it took to get this lapband out of me and the sleeve done.

When I woke up two weeks ago from having the revision surgery I felt great! I was walking the hallways and told the staff and doctors this time my surgery felt like I had Cadillac treatment vs Pinto treatment in level of care and how i felt as a patient. My stomach was flatter then when i had the lapband. I am a Happy Camper!!

Good luck in your decesion for what is right for you. Do alot of research and by all means pray about before you decide.

Edited February 1, 2014 by BellaHugz

[chelan 7]

Thanks Misty I have been doing quite a bit of research myself and am not letting people on this forum make decisions for me. WLS clinics and surgeons don't always tell you everything if you don't know to ask so for me the forum is the best place to get a feel for the different surgeries. I think some WLS patients may be overly sensitive and it is not my intention to upset anyone. People feel very pasionate about each of their surgeries and need support from this forum. That being said I am trying to make a decision as to which surgery I will get and so far I am leaning towards the sleeve.

[Hevnbound 51]

I chose the sleeve because I know me! I need permanence - something that cannot be undone. I don't want the option to change my mind later. I don't want to walk the back streets looking for a rogue doctor who will loosen my band just for the weekend so I can eat that rack of ribs! Whatever you choose, listen to the doctors recommendations first and then make up your own mind for your own reasons. You can't loose regardless of which you choose. A win, win!

[mistysj 1,940]

Thanks for the correction about the band not needing staples. I never said plication did.

[Kindle 8,667]

I chose the sleeve because I know me! I need permanence - something that cannot be undone. I don't want the option to change my mind later. I don't want to walk the back streets looking for a rogue doctor who will loosen my band just for the weekend so I can eat that rack of ribs! Whatever you choose, listen to the doctors recommendations first and then make up your own mind for your own reasons. You can't loose regardless of which you choose. A win, win!

I love your "back alley fill doctor" image my friend (who talked me out of the band) does exactly that! Not the back alley part, but the fill/unfill for convenience thing. She's had almost no restriction and has needed a fill since October, but finally scheduled it for the end of February. She wanted to be able to eat through the holidays and then her mom scheduled a visit for the beginning of February "I'm really going to need my comfort food to get through that". Lol. I'm with you, hevnbound, I wanted permanence.

[ribearty 544]

I am a band to sleeve revision. The band works for a lot of people. Bandista and Carolina Girl are examples of successful bandsters.

You ultimately have to do what you and your doctor believe is the best procedure for you. I had my band for almost three years before I started having problems.

I was a compliant patient and followed my pre and post-op diet to the "T". Things happen sometimes and I was one of the people for whom the band did not work through no fault of my own.

I have to say since I have had my sleeve surgery, I have not had one instance of food being stuck and have no heart burn any more which was a constant in my life for more than three years before sleeve surgery in October.

Good luck to you in your decision and your weight loss journey.