very confused

[trudyjo 22]

As a person who has had a lapband since 2009, I can tell you that it is just as invasive, simply in different ways. With a lapband, you will develop scar tissue around the band that can cause significant issues, you may also have a band slip which happens more than you are probably anticipating, you can have band erosions, ports that flip, tubes that leak, etc.

In addition, you will still have the hunger you experience today, you just won't be able to satisfy it, or the food might get stuck. I've been in the hospital 3 times with stuck episodes, and now my band has slipped and sits near my esophagus. I'm converting to a sleeve as quickly as I can.

There is a forum for people who are converting from a band to a sleeve, you might want to look around there a bitt to get the real scoop on issues with the band.

[riarere 12]

I was in the same boat. Went to my doctor and he said the sleeve was the best option for me. Im a ICU nurse so I see and hear of everything that can go wrong. Lapband has a high post op having to have surgery again years down the road due to erosion slippage and I even had a patient that the band cut off circulation. The sleeve yes there are risk but the highest risk are during surgery and the few days after leakage. I researched till I was overflowing and decided to go with the sleeve. Im still pre op June/July lord willing. Gooe luck in your decision.

[sassysleever 1]

My surgeon confirmed I was an ideal candidate for band and sleeve and allowed me to make the ultimate decision. I spoke to the nutrition "off record" and ask which group she identified as most problematic. She stated 75% of band patients come back within 5 yrs for revision opting for sleeve. I decided on sleeve. My final step is my psy eval this Friday. I'm soooo ready!

[BestYet2Come 97]

So, I've been over at the lap band forum. I started my WLS path last summer, got approval through my insurance, they required a visit to a psychologist, and to a nutritionist before speaking to surgeon. I've researched the band, got comfortable with the idea of it, learned about the pros and con, and for the past six months that was the direction I was headed in. Until today, I finally had a conversation with the surgeon and he was less than enthusiastic about the band. He made a good argument, didn't pressure me one way or another, just based his judgement on his experiences and observations. He recommended the sleeve as an alternative. I hadn't originally wanted to get that invasive, I also liked the reversible option of the band. This has shaken my world, and I have to wrap my head around this. Did anyone else run into this?

There is a "Band to Sleeve" revision section on this forum. I would encourage you to visit, ask the same question there, as I am sure you will receive great feedback of very experienced patients.

I did consider the band at some point, but the feedback I received from patients, surgeons and other professionals in the bariatric industry was that the band proved to be very problematic, while the sleeve was gaining popularity because of its risk/result profile.

Best of luck!