Why Gastric Sleeve?

[RiskyGirl21 19]

Hi I haven't decided on which surgery to take yet. It would help if you could tell me why you chose the sleeve over the popular lap band and gastric bypass. THANK YOU.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Lap Band - I did some preliminary research and didn't like what I saw in terms of weight loss rate statistics. When I met with my surgeon, he told me he would not do the lap band for me because my starting BMI was too high - he says that people with a starting BMI over 40 tend to really struggle to lose all their weight with the band. He won't do it for people as heavy as me, and only on lighter people if they absolutely refuse to consider any other kind of surgery. I also didn't like the idea of all the fills/adjustments. I work full time, who has time for that? Finally, I wanted a permanent tool, not one I could opt out of if the idea of pigging out on vacation was tempting.

Bypass - I strongly considered this surgery. I know a fair number of people who have had this surgery and have done great! But I have a strong family and personal history of autoimmune diseases and my surgeon and I agreed that it would be good to leave as many options for future meds on the table as possible, and that therefore the sleeve was the better overall option for me. I know some people say things like "I didn't want my plumbing re-routed" -- that didn't concern me. For me, I wouldn't make a medical decision based on emotions regarding anatomy that I am never going to see.

I also considered Duodenal Switch and might have opted for it, but my insurance requires a minimum BMI of 60 before they will pay for it. At a BMI of 59.9, it was just barely off the table!

Make sure to discuss all of your options with your surgeon and you will come to the right decision for you. Good luck!

[Chele H 427]

I did not choose the lap band because of it's extremely high complication rate and it is not permanent. I didn't choose bypass because I didn't want a lifetime of Vitamin malabsorption. I felt the sleeve was the perfect middle ground.

I urge you to attend one or more educational seminars hosted by bariatric surgeons. Gather information on all surgical options, talk to current and former patients(most seminars have patients attending for this purpose), ask questions. I attended 3 before I decided which surgeon to use and was comfortable with my decision and haven't regretted one day!

Good luck!

[4me4them 381]

I chose the sleeve because for me it seemed like the most "natural". I didn't like the idea of rerouting the intestines in a bypass and I didn't like the idea of the permanent band/port as part of my life. I also like the fact that it keeps the valves at the top of the stomach and the bottom intact. Oh, and I wanted to minimize dumping...

I think each person has to look at what is important to them and along with the advice of their surgeon make an informed decision by gathering lots of information to think about...which it sounds like you are doing! Good luck on your decision...

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Lap Band - I looked at it and wasn't happy with what I saw in terms of chances for complications. Also I found out it was not idea for those who needed to use large amounts of weight. I was over 400lbs when I had my surgery.

Sleeve - Easier on the body, slower weight loss, fewer complications. Seemed the best option for me.

Byass - I'll admit while I didn't rule this out, I wasn't actually interested in this procedure. I wasn't too keen on the rewiring of my plumbing so to speak. I kept an ope mind when speaking with the surgeon, but after doing my research and attending the seminar necessary before I could even schedule an appointment with the surgeon, I was really hoping he would agree with my choice of the sleeve.

[rileyoshea 15]

I went to the seminar thinking I was going to do the lap band and after watching my doctor talk about the options, I was more interested in the sleeve. The amount of people that I have encountered at his office switching from the band to the sleeve is astronomical - to be honest I would say the majority of the people I met before the surgery were switching.

I liked the fact that nothing really changed in my body except that a portion of my stomach was removed. I don't have a foreign object in my body like the band and I am very happy with my decision.

You need to research and spend the time looking at what will be best for you. At least you're looking and you're going to take a step toward a healthier and happier you!

Good luck.

[thesuse2000 698]

I chose lap band first, and revised to sleeve after complications with the band. I agree with the points above about the sleeve - the only thing I'll clarify is that while there are more minor complications with the band than the sleeve, there are more risky complications with the sleeve - and more with the bypass.

But really I think you should discuss options with a qualified surgeon. At 500 pounds you will have different factors that will need to be considered than someone under 3-400 would. I would strongly advise that you find a surgeon who has a lot of experience with surgery on larger patients. Apologies if this sounds insensitive! Not trying to offend. But there are increased risks of surgery with patients over 400 pounds, and the more experienced surgeons generally have fewer complications.

There are also different factors to consider in terms of longterm success, so what works for others on this board may not be appropriate for you. In order to get to your goal weight you may need the malabsorption of the gastric bypass. Another possibility to perhaps discuss with a surgeon is the duodenal switch - in this approach you could start with the sleeve, and then if your weight loss slows before you've hit goal, you could add the duodenal switch, which adds a malabsorption factor, so you don't digest all the calories you eat. One of the benefits of this is that the sleeve is a shorter slightly safer surgery than the bypass or duodenal switch, so it would be a safer first surgery, and then you do the 2nd one once you've lost some weight and it can be done more safely.

I wish you the best in your journey!

[Marietizzy 5]

Lap band-I had a hernia repair a few years ago with a patch. I had a horrible inflammatory response to it. Where the patch was felt like it was on fire for about 6 weeks. I wasn't even going to consider another foreign object in my body!!

Bypass-Just don't like the idea of my anatomy be moved around.

Sleeve-only choice I liked. (When I heard about bypass years and years ago, I wondered why can't they just make the stomach smaller with rerouting things.)

[Marietizzy 5]

I mean without rerouting

[willow13 59]

I went with the sleeve because my surgeon does not do bands any longer due to complications. I debated between the sleeve and bypass and went with the sleeve a decision I have not regretted. The recovery period was what swung it for me, no I will not loose weight as quickly as I would have had I gone with bypass surgery but would rather be slow and steady with it.

[DivaSue 23]

I'm in agreement with most here. The idea of a foreign object or rewired plumbing didn't appeal. The sleeve seemed like the way to go. I'm day 3 post-op and really doing well.

[Wendyfm 494]

I opted for the sleeve. The band wasn't an option. The hospital I chose doesn't do bands anymore. The bypass seemed too extreme for me. I didn't want any Vitamin deficiency issue,malabsorption issues so chose the Sleeve. I think it was a good fit,although I'm losing a little slower than I like.

[kimmerzj29 52]

I choose the sleeve because out of then the options this just seems like the ever fit, the band has to many complications along with it and a lot of people have it out and then are sleeved, and you only lose like 30 lbs so it want worth it, didn't go with bypass because with bypass your body doesn't get the nutrients it needs because they are absorbed in your intestines but some of your intestines are bypassed..the sleeve just seems safer for future pregnancies and my All around success

[CountryGirl5584 115]

I originally was going to get the band, but then I went to a second seminar with my sister who is a nurse. Figured I'd get some perspective from someone with a medical background. She listened to the seminar and said that if it was her getting the surgery she would do the sleeve(too many things to worry about with the band). I also spoke to one of the docs I work for(gastroenterologist) and he said he knows more about the band than the sleeve, but that could be because he sees more patients with problems that have the band. He supported my decision for the sleeve. He did not recommend the bypass because from a gastroenterologists view it's too much re-routing. Hope that helps