LapBand VS Sleeve??

[LAN2k 0]

I appreciate this thread very much since I am approximately 4 weeks away from having a VSG. It has been a journey of lots and lots of research and soul searching and reading from a number of WLS threads is really helpful. I too find myself wondering if having this procedure will finally offer me what I need to change my unhealthy relationship with food. Thus far I think I have made the right decision. But being so close to actually having the surgery I'm getting the jitters. Thank you WASa and HH for your sensible perspectives. Reading your posts has helped me with this pre-surgery anxiety I'm encountering.

[LAN2k 0]

Just read your post Elisabeth and want to acknowledge it as sound advice as well. Based upon research, self knowledge and exhaustive observation (through a number of internet WL forums and message boards) of pros and cons of the other surgical options, I have made my decision to go with the VSG. The surgery is scheduled for Sept.15. I'm meeting with my surgeon this week.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I appreciate this thread very much since I am approximately 4 weeks away from having a VSG. It has been a journey of lots and lots of research and soul searching and reading from a number of WLS threads is really helpful. I too find myself wondering if having this procedure will finally offer me what I need to change my unhealthy relationship with food. Thus far I think I have made the right decision. But being so close to actually having the surgery I'm getting the jitters. Thank you WASa and HH for your sensible perspectives. Reading your posts has helped me with this pre-surgery anxiety I'm encountering.

I'm glad you made the decision that is right for you. I love my sleeve, best thing I ever did. I'm totally happy with it. I'm sitting here eating a Tombstone pizza and I can only eat about 3/4 of a slice. Not a lot. ;o)

I had to leave this thread early on. I got so sick of such wrong information being posted that I gave up. If you want any facts please feel free to PM/email me. I wouldn't pay any attention to those that have never researched the topic.

[incolorado 1]

I did not read this entire thread...but cost should be an obvious difference, at least in the US. For those of us who are self-pay and scraping up every last penny we can find, the band is much more affordable in the US ($9900 for my surgeon in Denver). Isn't the sleeve more like $15-20k in the US?

I realize Mexico is an option, but I really wanted to go to someone local. Therefore, financially, the band was the only real option for me.

[Elisabethsew 50]

Just read your post Elisabeth and want to acknowledge it as sound advice as well. Based upon research, self knowledge and exhaustive observation (through a number of internet WL forums and message boards) of pros and cons of the other surgical options, I have made my decision to go with the VSG. The surgery is scheduled for Sept.15. I'm meeting with my surgeon this week.

Congratulations on your decision. The band never gave me a feeling of restriction but it did give me severe acid reflux and limited my ability to eat healthy foods like fresh fruits and veggies.

The sleeve is what works for me. I instantly feel full after a small portion of food, don't crave anything, and love that I can eat any food I want to. Unlike the band, there is no making appointments for fills/unfills, etc.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I did not read this entire thread...but cost should be an obvious difference, at least in the US. For those of us who are self-pay and scraping up every last penny we can find, the band is much more affordable in the US ($9900 for my surgeon in Denver). Isn't the sleeve more like $15-20k in the US?

I realize Mexico is an option, but I really wanted to go to someone local. Therefore, financially, the band was the only real option for me.

In the long run, the band can be MORE expensive for self-pays. If you don't get free fills for life, the cost can be very high when you figure in the office visit fee and the fill/unfill fee.

I had the band done in the U.S. and it was covered under insurance. I went to Mexico for the VSG because I wanted the surgeon who had a lot of experience and taught a lot of the U.S surgeons.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I wonder when they are going to rename this web site

ANTILAPBANDTALK.com?

[Elisabethsew 50]

I wonder when they are going to rename this web site

ANTILAPBANDTALK.com?

I don't think sharing personal experiences is a negative thing. I truly wish the band worked for me the way it did for the few people I know personally that have done well.

Now that many people have had the band placed for 3-5 years, we're hearing about complications that SOME are having. With any new surgery, this is bound to happen. If I were considering the band today, I would want to know the good, the bad, and the ugly. That is exactly the approach I took when I decided to revise to the VSG. I'm sorry you see this as a bad thing.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I didn't say it was bad...you assume I meant that but I didn't.

With more and more mods needing and getting revision, and some very vocal advocates for other surgeries, I just can't help but wonder is the band on the way out?

I'm pretty assertive and fairly equable and sometimes I feel that if I post a proband sentiment in one of these threads, well, Katie bar the door. Debate is wonderful.

Harangue is tedious. That's all.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I did not read this entire thread...but cost should be an obvious difference, at least in the US. For those of us who are self-pay and scraping up every last penny we can find, the band is much more affordable in the US ($9900 for my surgeon in Denver). Isn't the sleeve more like $15-20k in the US?

I realize Mexico is an option, but I really wanted to go to someone local. Therefore, financially, the band was the only real option for me.

I didn't care where the surgery was, I wanted the best of the best. Your surgeon doesn't even do pre op labs. That's unheard of.

Sleeves, $8750 includes three nights in the hospital and you are done for life.

Band: $9900 includes no hospitalization plus aftercare for life.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I wonder when they are going to rename this web site

ANTILAPBANDTALK.com?

I didn't say it was bad...you assume I meant that but I didn't.

With more and more mods needing and getting revision, and some very vocal advocates for other surgeries, I just can't help but wonder is the band on the way out?

I'm pretty assertive and fairly equable and sometimes I feel that if I post a proband sentiment in one of these threads, well, Katie bar the door. Debate is wonderful.

Harangue is tedious. That's all.

I do think the band is on the way out. So does the Lap Band manufacturer. I think they have changed the band to every possible option and there are still very big problems with it. Slips and erosion are not decreasing, erosion is staying the same and slips are increasing.

I think people should have all the information possible about all surgery types so they can make the best choice for them. Don't you think?

And this IS a thread asking about bands vs. sleeves. Why wouldn't sleeve folks post here?

The rate that mods are revising to other surgery types is about standard for band revisions globally.

Don't you think there is a reason so many doctors, hospitals, and even the country of Chile isn't banding anyone anymore?

I don't care which surgery someone gets as long as they have information on all surgery types. Then they can choose what is right for them.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I didn't say it was bad...you assume I meant that but I didn't.

With more and more mods needing and getting revision, and some very vocal advocates for other surgeries, I just can't help but wonder is the band on the way out?

I'm pretty assertive and fairly equable and sometimes I feel that if I post a proband sentiment in one of these threads, well, Katie bar the door. Debate is wonderful.

Harangue is tedious. That's all.

My opinion is yes, the band is on its way out. It's the least effective weight loss surgery in terms of percentage of weight lost and complications are now becoming more common.

People like the band because it's "just a band" to restrict food intake and is reversible. However, scar tissue forms under the band beginning just a few days after placement and adhesions are inherent in any abdominal/pelvic surgery. This makes revisions to another weight loss surgery more risky.

Many surgeons who were doing high percentages of bands and lower percentages of other surgeries are now seeing a reversal of that trend with less people opting for the band.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

It is still performed, and for many it is the option insurance will provide. So do I misinterpret this when I assume that we should NOT get the band?

Ergo...antilapbandtalk.com

And when asked "why did you choose lapband" I'd need to say "it doesn't apply since it is obviously the wrong choice"

Understand I firmly believe in debate and think free speech is good. However I've been here about a year now (not as long as many of you, but longer than some) and tried to give thoughtful, prudent, sound advice. I'm feeling in recent months though a trend to kind of "pounce" on people who prefer the band.

Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive and if so, please forgive me (can't blame PMS...I'm past all that!) but others have voiced concerns to me too.

At any rate, as I always say, if I don't like what I'm reading I can just move on. No one forces me to come here, and if the prevailing need is for the pros of the sleeve over the band, so be it. I have other venues for support, and I don't want my prejudices or what I would find useful to spoil things for others.

[elcee 3,341]

In my opinion - and it is just that, an opinion - the band is not on the way out.

For some strange reason the experience in the USA seems to be very different to that here in Australia.Why I have no idea. Now I am not saying that it is problem free here but the percentage of problems here seems to be a lot lower and it is still the preferred surgery.

Maybe it is because aftercare here is easily accessible and not expensive. Maybe it is because Australian Dr's prefer a conservative rather an aggressive fill schedule. maybe it is something else.

I know a number of people here that have had their bands for longer than 3 years and are very happy. I know of others that have had them a lot longer. Some have had to have them replaced but they chose to have them replaced not to revise to something else.

It may turn out that the sleeve is the perfect WLS surgery. It may be discovered in the future that there are problems with the sleeve that are not yet apparent.They may discover some other magical cure.Whatever.

Whatever the future holds we don't know. But in the meantime the band is a safe and effective surgery and it should not just be written off.

The most important thing as has been said many times before is to do your research and find the WLS that suits you. Pick your surgeon very carefully and then make sure you stick to the recommendations that your surgeon has given you.

[Elisabethsew 50]

It is still performed, and for many it is the option insurance will provide.

You've got that right. RNY and the band are the two that insurance favors.

So do I misinterpret this when I assume that we should NOT get the band?

Ergo...antilapbandtalk.com

MY opinion is that I would have gotten the band had I known then what I know now. OTHERS (I presume you) love the band which is great.

And when asked "why did you choose lapband" I'd need to say "it doesn't apply since it is obviously the wrong choice"

Only you can answer that. I chose the lapband over 3 years ago because it promised great things. For me, it was a horrible decision. Insurance wanted me to create a paper trail of problems for 6-9 months before they would agree to take it out of me. My quality of life was horrible and I could not deal with the acid reflux and sleeping in a chair for that much longer. So, I went for self-pay and revised to VSG.

Understand I firmly believe in debate and think free speech is good. However I've been here about a year now (not as long as many of you, but longer than some) and tried to give thoughtful, prudent, sound advice. I'm feeling in recent months though a trend to kind of "pounce" on people who prefer the band.

I can't change your perception.

Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive and if so, please forgive me (can't blame PMS...I'm past all that!) but others have voiced concerns to me too.

At any rate, as I always say, if I don't like what I'm reading I can just move on. No one forces me to come here, and if the prevailing need is for the pros of the sleeve over the band, so be it. I have other venues for support, and I don't want my prejudices or what I would find useful to spoil things for others.

My desire is to let people know there is the band, VSG, RNY, and DS and share MY experience with the two I have had. If I knew about the VSG procedure when I had the band, I would have never had the band placed. I don't speak on RNY or DS because I have no personal experience with those.