Hard time deciding on band or sleeve.

[Owl1212 9]

Yesterday I went to true results for consult for band procedure. I decided to it but wanted to research more. I'm finding a lot of information about the band slipping, corrosion and maintenance. Since I'm over 300 would the sleeve be a better option? Need advise on which one is the best way to go.

[jaybro 31]

Everyone's journey is different, and each decision is personal.

I am also over 300 pounds, and I opted for the band. Slippage and erosion are extremely rare, especially with the newest band technology. All the complications with lap band to me were not nearly as scary as the whole "cutting" the stomach part. The lap band is reversal if something rare like that does happen, and there is no major cutting. I just had my surgery yesterday, and it was outpatient. I'm already home, and other than soreness and some shoulder cramping (from the gas they use), I'm recovering nicely.

I do know people who got the sleeve and were successful. One did have some complications at first (stomach contents leaking) and was in the hospital for three months. She's fine now and well on the road to recovery.

Basically, we all know horror stories about all the WLS; we have to weigh the benefits to the risks. For me, getting healthy is a major benefit, and the lap band offered the least amount of risks. So far, I'm not regretting my journey.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[BlueMoon~T 276]

WLS is a super personal decision. My starting weight was 324 and six months out I've lost almost 100 lbs. I opted for the Lap Band. Some of the other surgeries may produce quicker results but require more drastic measures as far as your anatomy is concerned. None of the WLS's are cake walks they all require dedication to a new way of eating and the will power to stick to it and exercise.

Please take advantage of this site to look over all the pros and cons of each surgery. I would caution you to be weary of people telling you how one is so much better than the other. We all had our own personal reasons for choosing the surgery we did. Also, as with anything there are horror stories. Surgeries that have had complications or people who have regained the weight they lost initially.

This probably wasn't the answer you were looking for but being on this site and reading things on the internet has made me realize how uniformed people are prior to their surgeries and how often they fail because they didn't fully understand what they were going to be required to do after the surgery was complete. WLS is a tool. It doesn't cure our eating disorders whatever they may be, but WLS can definitely help you get a handle on your weight and help you work through those issues.

Best of luck to you. I look forward to hearing what decision you make!

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

The sleeve results in more rapid weight loss but I have to be honest, all of the complications from the band are nothing to worry about. Fewer complications, less down-time, less invasive and completely reversible were my main factors in choosing which WL surgery to have. I am also a True Results, Houston patient...I may have seen you at the center yesterday as I went for an adjustment. Word of advice: the BEST surgeon anywhere is Christopher Reilly, MD. at NW Houston Medical Center. He is one of your options at TR and I highly recommend him. My surgery was flawless and my results are incredible.

Yesterday I went to true results for consult for band procedure. I decided to it but wanted to research more. I'm finding a lot of information about the band slipping, corrosion and maintenance. Since I'm over 300 would the sleeve be a better option? Need advise on which one is the best way to go.

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I co-sign this post.

Everyone's journey is different, and each decision is personal.

I am also over 300 pounds, and I opted for the band. Slippage and erosion are extremely rare, especially with the newest band technology. All the complications with lap band to me were not nearly as scary as the whole "cutting" the stomach part. The lap band is reversal if something rare like that does happen, and there is no major cutting. I just had my surgery yesterday, and it was outpatient. I'm already home, and other than soreness and some shoulder cramping (from the gas they use), I'm recovering nicely.

I do know people who got the sleeve and were successful. One did have some complications at first (stomach contents leaking) and was in the hospital for three months. She's fine now and well on the road to recovery.

Basically, we all know horror stories about all the WLS; we have to weigh the benefits to the risks. For me, getting healthy is a major benefit, and the lap band offered the least amount of risks. So far, I'm not regretting my journey.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Overall, I think most studies show there's a 5-15% re-surgical rate with the band. That includes port revisions, leaky tubes, erosions, dilations etc. It is a little higher than the other three WLS techniques.

Here's a video that makes a lot of sense by a well known bariatrics surgeon. How he helps his patients decide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VmvWFu79Ik#t=99

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

i was well over 300+ pounds and had the lap band and plication..

my dr wanted me to have the bypass but i was too scared..to much reading BS on the world wide web.....but my dr stressed to me that no matter what weight loss surgery i got.....that unless i changed what i ate....and begin to exercise, nothing would help me......with any WLS, those more compliant can lose more...my dr advises that in each seminar he gives.

any major surgery has risks...that includes WLS...best of luck in whatever you do decide to get.

Edited March 12, 2014 by ☠carolinagirl☠

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

It is a very personal decision - I would talk to your doctor about it and see what his recommendation is for you. For me, my doctor wanted me to do the sleeve because of the weight I was at. He said that if I had been about 50 lbs. less he might have done the band on me instead. That being said, I've seen people over 400 lbs get the band and do beautifully with it. There are complications with the band, true, but there are just as many possible ones with the sleeve as well. It's good that your doing your research on it!

[The Icy One 518]

Yesterday I went to true results for consult for band procedure. I decided to it but wanted to research more. I'm finding a lot of information about the band slipping, corrosion and maintenance. Since I'm over 300 would the sleeve be a better option? Need advise on which one is the best way to go.

Band slipping and erosion are not happening in high percentages. The chances of it happening are no higher if you are hevier when your band is placed. My surgeon assured me of this, before I had mine installed. I started at 378 pounds, I also went through True Results (in Scottsdale AZ) and my surgery was a breeze. In, out, wham, bam, thank you, ma'am. I recovered easily and four months later, I am 49 pounds down and couldn't be more tickled with my decision.

I am not trying to "talk you into a band." I strongly believe that everyone needs to carefully research all of the options and make a decision based on which one is right for their body, health concerns and what they are willing to live with. The Lap Band was right for me. If the Lap Band is right for you, don't let being over 300 stop you from going forward. Do what is right for you, don't let other voices cloud your thinking.

Edited March 13, 2014 by The Icy One

[Bandarella 223]

I will PM you a link to some info put out by Allergan back in 2011. Lots of statistics about complications, results, etc.

Sleeve has higher initial complications 1.5% vs .5% in the first 30 days post op. Lapband has a higher re operative rate and more late complications, which can be very serious, require removal and may preclude future WLS.

Please cross post your post on the sleeve forum, you'll get a better perspective on both surgèries, especially since many ex- banders revised to sleeve.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Bandarella

[Bandarella 223]

TMF, you must realize that I get emails with your response, deleting it is pretty low.

You know how in boxing you're not allowed to hit below the belt? You hit below the belt when you dismiss everything I say because of my surgeons mistake. My experience is still valid and in the old Allergan info for surgeons (2011) states a 3 % risk of misplacement of the band.

Don't attack the messenger, disprove what yòu disagree with...

[harringm13 2]

Band/Sleeve - Esophageal Cancer

In support to my decision to have mine removed, I had no damage prior to my surgery and since then I’m a stage away from Barrettes esophagus. I just don’t want to be that girl to develop esophageal cancer as a result of being naive pretending the band did not bring me there. I know the band was causing the damage despite originally being told that was not the case, as the doctor states in the slide and his video it’s practically common sense when you think about it. I just hope it isn’t too late for me and I hope other people are made aware of this information so they too can rethink the risks. As it is, everyone who had the surgery is at high risk for developing esophageal cancer.. I believe that is what further studies will show… we are the guinea pigs and further research will reveal the truth but at such a high price.

http://www.slideshar...ophageal-cancer

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=4sBRDaH2gJA

http://www.bariatric...phageal-cancer/

I have an appointment to meet with GI specialist again once my band is removed, hopefully there hasn’t been much progression since my last visit with him

More patients should know this and be made aware of this prior to having the surgery done. As I said, I would guess eventually these surgeries will no longer be an option.

I'm not saying everyone will get cancer but they should know what's going on... I have a family, kids and my conditioned started after my surgery and quickly worsened. I did not think to look into esophageal cancer prior to getting the surgery done... who the hell would've thought to do that?? However surgeons all over the world are reporting on the statistics and they are not good. I just want to try to warn everyone, awareness can save lives. Some people don't even feel symptoms, everyone who had the band and sleeve surgeries should have an upper GI done. Esophageal cancer is usually detected by the time it's too late but if caught early enough something can be done. Barrett’s esophagus leads to cancer and GERD can lead to Barrettes esophagus. It's basically acid causing damage which just continues to get worse... and both surgeries are causing the conditions to develop and worsen even while being treated for it... i don't know what to do, I wish I could reach out to every single person and make sure they know all the information... it could cost someone their life.. no one wants cancer

Please share this information with as many as you can, they should know all the facts prior to making their decision!

[Bandarella 223]

http://www.lapband.com/content/lapband_AP_dfu.pdf

[2muchfun 8,927]

TMF, you must realize that I get emails with your response, deleting it is pretty low.

You know how in boxing you're not allowed to hit below the belt? You hit below the belt when you dismiss everything I say because of my surgeons mistake. My experience is still valid and in the old Allergan info for surgeons (2011) states a 3 % risk of misplacement of the band.

Don't attack the messenger, disprove what yòu disagree with...

Why is it low? I deleted it because it had nothing to do with the topic and yes you do have the right to give your experience.

It's impossible to disprove PMs you send to new forum members. If you're so proud of your findings, post them here where all can comment?

[Bandarella 223]

TMF: it's low because I still see your words. It's a personal attack on my character and intelligence.

BTW: I never said I was "proud". Your choice of vernacular only serves to skew the perception others may have without providing any additional information regarding the content. Fight fair or keep quiet.

The link is posted above.