First consult today. Im confused

[hopeful2loose2014 21]

I all my name is Clara and I am new here. I had my first consult with my surgeon today and I'm very confused. He doesn't recommend one over the other. He said I qualify for both lap and sleeve. The sleeve is what i am leaning towards, however I am so scared of the recovery and all the liquid diets after. I am so nervous because it's irreversible. What if I regret it? At leAst the band is reversible. Did anyone else feel this way??

[Photo925 100]

I think that you are in the right place. You might find on here that most people will prefer the sleeve to the lap band and everyone has their own reasons, but I will only tell you mine. From my research, the band has far more complications than the sleeve and there are many many people on the forums who actually have conversions from the band to the sleeve. Me personally, I like the success odds of the sleeve better (plus I have Kaiser and they technically offer the sleeve cause they have to, but they only do a handful of them a year) To me that kinda says something too cause they don't stand behind that option either. This may sound silly but I also didn't like the idea of the foreign object in my gut. I've also read a lot about slipping of the band which can cause problems as well.

Ultimately you have to do what will fit best with your lifestyle, but those are my two cents!! And welcome to the sights!! Check things out!! There is so much good info!!

[hopeful2loose2014 21]

Ty. I am leaning towards the sleeve. I think it's the fear of the unknown that is holding me back. Have you already been sleeved?

[BigGirlPanties 957]

I agree with Photo... you have to decide what you feel is best for you...but I am of the same mind set as she is... too many people have had conversions to sleeve after lapband... the thought that you have to go in and get it adjusted regularly did not sit well with me at ALL.

One of the things my NUT said, she believe (ihoo) that if you have more than 100 pounds to lose, the lapband is not for you.

I am very happy with my decision, it's not as radical as a full gastric, I don't have to take all those Vitamins and stuff that you HAVE to take with full gastric; and I don't have to worry about a slippage because I have the band.

My sister and my NUT both had a full gastric, and if they could do it all over again, both said they would have gone with the sleeve... so there is my 2 cents worth...

You have to do the research and decide what you feel is best...the dr usually just tells you your options and lets you make the final decision... so... "is that your final answer"?

Edited February 27, 2014 by BigGirlPanties

[hopeful2loose2014 21]

Whats NUT? sorry it's all new to me

[Photo925 100]

Ty. I am leaning towards the sleeve. I think it's the fear of the unknown that is holding me back. Have you already been sleeved?

NUT is your nutritionist...you will more than likely have to talk to one somewhere along the line!!

I haven't been sleeved yet, looking at May to June cause Im in the Kaiser program that includes six months of classes. My sister was sleeved and it worked wonderfully for her and you'll meet more and more people on the sights whose only regret is not doing it sooner!!

[NMJG 1,266]

Hi Clara,

It would be a good idea for you to also post over in the the lap band forum and get their input. I'm sure they can give you lots of pros and cons from a first hand perspective.

For me, I decided on the sleeve for these reasons. I am 6 1/2 months out and very happy with it. I am at normal BMI now and feeling great.

1. The long term success rate is very good with the sleeve. Although people talk about it like it is new, it is an old procedure - used to be "part one" of a bypass, then the doctors figured out they didn't have to complete the bypass (part two) and could leave the stomach as a sleeve.
2. Complication rates are relatively low with the sleeve. They are even lower if you use a "Center of Excellence," which I highly recommend.
3. The sleeve does not have malabsorbancy issues. That is when you can't absorb your nutrients properly.
4. You have much less likelihood of dumping syndrome, and chances are you may never experience it with a sleeve.
5. With a sleeve you can eat pretty much anything (just much smaller amounts) once you are 6 months to a year out. You are not restricted as to the type of food.
6. Did not want foreign objects inside me.
7. No adjustments and fills of the band.
8. Some doctors (including my surgeon) don't offer the lap band any longer, even though they did them for many years. My doctor believes the sleeve is a superior alternative to the band because of the difference in success rates and complications.

Some thoughts:

• you can get the band and then if it doesn't work and you are still interested in WLS (and have the money) you can switch to the sleeve. You can also get the sleeve and later go to RnY if you wish.
• many people have success with the band, it is just personal choice of what you think you will be most successful with. I thought I would be more successful with the sleeve.

Most important: do your research