Sleeve or band

[CrissyCakes 110]

I'm one weigh in away and I'm trying to decide between the sleeve or the band. When I initially started the process I wanted the band. But after speaking with my PCP, friends that's have done weight loss surgeries and general research. I decided on the sleeve. My surgeon is saying now to the band because I've been having problems with acid reflux. My personal thought at first was, he knows what's best, but ultimately I feel that the band will be an inconvenience, and lessen my weight loss goals. I'm new here, and welcome any thoughts, advice etc... thanks

[JamieLogical 8,710]

I'm not sure if your reflux would be any better with a band than with a sleeve. Really the only way you be sure you won't have reflux issues would be to have RNY. Ultimately the decision has to be yours. For me, it was an easy choice with all of the potential for long-term complications with the band. But there are many people who are happy and successful with the band too.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

My surgeon rarely performs the band and thinks it is the least effective weight loss surgery out there, so I guess I am biased against it. For me, it was not a consideration at all. My surgeon would not have done it for me since my BMI was too high for the band under his personal guidelines (plus I didn't want a band).

I also had acid reflux before the sleeve. My surgeon had me do an upper GI series before the operation. This showed that I had a hiatal hernia, which he could fix during the sleeve surgery. Because he felt that the hiatal hernia repair would likely cure my reflux, he thought the sleeve would be a good option for me. If my reflux hadn't been caused by the hernia, he would have recommended gastric bypass for me, as that virtually always cures reflux -- and I would have followed his recommendation. So, do you know what is causing your reflux? Have you had an endoscopy or upper GI series to see if you have a hiatal hernia? For me that was the key question.

[CrissyCakes 110]

My surgeon rarely performs the band and thinks it is the least effective weight loss surgery out there, so I guess I am biased against it. For me, it was not a consideration at all. My surgeon would not have done it for me since my BMI was too high for the band under his personal guidelines (plus I didn't want a band).

I also had acid reflux before the sleeve. My surgeon had me do an upper GI series before the operation. This showed that I had a hiatal hernia, which he could fix during the sleeve surgery. Because he felt that the hiatal hernia repair would likely cure my reflux, he thought the sleeve would be a good option for me. If my reflux hadn't been caused by the hernia, he would have recommended gastric bypass for me, as that virtually always cures reflux -- and I would have followed his recommendation. So, do you know what is causing your reflux? Have you had an endoscopy or upper GI series to see if you have a hiatal hernia? For me that was the key question.

I did an upper endoscopy and my GI says there was only mild irritation in my stomach, changed medications and now it's a lot better. I had an array of issues, main one being I would wake up choking, but after seeing an ENT that was attributed to post nasal drip. GI also states that with as little as an 8 pound weight change it would more than likely stop.

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[CrissyCakes 110]

I'm not sure if your reflux would be any better with a band than with a sleeve. Really the only way you be sure you won't have reflux issues would be to have RNY. Ultimately the decision has to be yours. For me, it was an easy choice with all of the potential for long-term complications with the band. But there are many people who are happy and successful with the band too.

My GI feels that with a few pounds lost I will be fine, as it's very mild. Is the choice ultimately up to me?

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[JamieLogical 8,710]

I'm not sure if your reflux would be any better with a band than with a sleeve. Really the only way you be sure you won't have reflux issues would be to have RNY. Ultimately the decision has to be yours. For me, it was an easy choice with all of the potential for long-term complications with the band. But there are many people who are happy and successful with the band too.

My GI feels that with a few pounds lost I will be fine, as it's very mild. Is the choice ultimately up to me?

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Absolutely the choice is ultimately up to you! No one can cut you open and perform surgery on you without your consent or the consent of your medical proxy.

[jahemenway 40]

I had the band for 2 years and had to have it out due to slipping and cutting off blood supply to my stomach. Took me almost 10 years to get my sleeve because of the fear I had about my experience with the band.

I didn't know what I could or couldn't eat one day to the next because of the band. Its so temperamental. I would never in a million years tell anyone to get the band. I was so depressed and miserable for the 2 years I had it.

As soon as I got it removed, my personality came back.

My 2 cents--

[Jules517 3]

My dr doesn't perform the band anymore due to it dislodging itself and too many complications!

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[CrissyCakes 110]

I had the band for 2 years and had to have it out due to slipping and cutting off blood supply to my stomach. Took me almost 10 years to get my sleeve because of the fear I had about my experience with the band.

I didn't know what I could or couldn't eat one day to the next because of the band. Its so temperamental. I would never in a million years tell anyone to get the band. I was so depressed and miserable for the 2 years I had it.

As soon as I got it removed, my personality came back.

My 2 cents--

I've seen so many bad experiences with the band. That's a risk I'm not willing to take. Glad you're back to yourself.

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[CrissyCakes 110]

My dr doesn't perform the band anymore due to it dislodging itself and too many complications!

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I'm so confused as to why he wants to go forward with that. Honestly I think it's because insurance doesn't pay for the upkeep of the band after I believe the 3rd visit. I picked an excellent program, but this choice had me baffled.

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[BelgianGuy 350]

My mother had the band, and it was a disaster: lots of problems: acid actually damaged the band, she would throw up quite often,etc. She went from the band to the sleeve and now she is happy with it.

My surgeon also said the band surgery would soon be outfashioned since it's not really effective and rarely works properly. The sleeve seems to be the best option.

Good luck with everything!

[WantToBe 77]

I had the band for 2 years and had to have it out due to slipping and cutting off blood supply to my stomach. Took me almost 10 years to get my sleeve because of the fear I had about my experience with the band.

I didn't know what I could or couldn't eat one day to the next because of the band. Its so temperamental. I would never in a million years tell anyone to get the band. I was so depressed and miserable for the 2 years I had it.

As soon as I got it removed, my personality came back.

My 2 cents--

I wish that I were as smart and proactive as you. I had my band for 11 1/2 years and never k ew what I could eat day to day. I went to high calorie liquids for pleasure. I still managed to maintain. A 100 pound loss but need to lose 100 more. Sounds like we were banded around same time.

[CrissyCakes 110]

My mother had the band, and it was a disaster: lots of problems: acid actually damaged the band, she would throw up quite often,etc. She went from the band to the sleeve and now she is happy with it.

My surgeon also said the band surgery would soon be outfashioned since it's not really effective and rarely works properly. The sleeve seems to be the best option.

Good luck with everything!

Thank you

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[JLyn 18]

I had the band n lost very little weight in 7 years! I just had revision surgery (sleeve) on Jan 7 and now lost 13 pounds more than I lost with the band! Wish I would have done it sooner

[katanne 215]

My surgeon rarely performs the band - he won't outright refuse to do it, but told me he's put in about 3-5 over the last year and removed 20-30 due to complications or ineffectiveness. He also said he doesn't really feel comfortable putting one in someone who isn't male and under 40 (i.e., already biologically predisposed to take off more weight w/WLS). And that someone like me who gets tempted to overeat at night might not do so well, because the restriction isn't as strong at night. So it does work for some select people, but there are factors to take into consideration.