Band or Sleeve?

I mentioned before that Lexie, my only friend I've told about me getting bariatric surgery, told me that she heard the "sleeve" was better than the "band." My gastroenterologist said the same thing and wanted me to look into it and talk to the surgeon about the sleeve option.

I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients.

She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently.

She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him.

I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate.

Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!)

SLEEVE

Pros:

1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.)

2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal

3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results)

4. No "bandster hell"

5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure.

6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me.

Cons:

1. No way to fix or reverse at all

2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail

3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies

4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later.

5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately.

6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.)

BAND

Pros:

1. Reversible/removable

2. No removal of anything

3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon

4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs.

5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history.

Cons:

1. Possibility of infection of band OR port

2. Regular followup and fill appointments

3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot.

4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.)

5. May not solve my hunger issue.

6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes!

7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again.

8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.

Hi everleigh! I am in the same boat. I have been thinking all along about the band and just recently am considering the sleeve. Please do update your blog as you learn more. I will talk to my surgeon about it, too, and post to my blog. Maybe we can help each other!

One thing I can say in favor of the band in regard to a few of the cons you mentioned for the band is something my surgeon identified. You can also find out more information on this on the Lap-Band site.

The technology behind it has changed in the past couple of years or so. There is a new technique for placing the band that was developed in response to many of the issues that were happening with the patients who had the band put in pre-2007. Furthermore, the band itself has been updated it's on v2 if you will. Again, in response to issues patients were having pre-2007. Ultimately this is supposed to lead to a band that should have fewer issues - less incidence of slippage, less incidence of obstructions. (And ports are being placed deeper because of that problem being pretty common back in the day.)

It is an option, from what I know, to be rebanded with the new technology, as well. However, with the sleeve being irreversible, and band not being an option after that procedure, that's what has me leaning towards the band. If the band doesn't work, it is possible to have it taken out and move on to the sleeve....

Keep posting! I got the band and wonder if it was the right choice, I lost 60 # but have been stuck at that for 2 months Also developed some odd pain and swelling around the port happy witht he lost pounds but at what cost