Sleeve vs. band

[ElfiePoo 109]

If I can't find my sweet spot in the next 2 months, making me 14 months post op, I'm going to seriously check into getting the sleeve.

I went into my regular doc's office yesterday and saw her nurse (who had a sleeve the same week I had my band put in) and was shocked. This woman weighed 375 pounds on the date of her surgery and has been losing steadily because she didn't have to wait to get her 'tool' to work. While I've only lost 30 pounds and still have no restriction, she's lost 200 because she's had restriction from day one...and looks fantastic. I'm sure she feels it as well.

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[TracyNYC 4]

200 lbs. in a year? Damn!

be patient with your band. I am frustrated with it too at times. I don't know much about the sleeve, but opted for the band b/c it was the least invasive at the time.

Discuss it with your surgeon, and see what he/she says.

[elcee 3,340]

200lb - almost 100kg that is incredible and a little bit scary!

[spoiltmom 44]

Personally I picked the band b/c it's less invasive BUT if I ever have problems with it then I will do the sleeve also.

Some times I wish I had done it to start with but it requires more down time and I have 3 kids at home so I couldn't afford much down time.

[BetsyB 9]

If I had trouble with my band, I'd consider revision to the sleeve.

Elfie, I wonder about your experience. You are still seeking the elusive restriction, but I wonder where you are now, in terms of the sensations you're experiencing before, during, and after eating. How do they compare with preoperatively?

I know you've made big changes in the way you eat. How different is it from the way you ate preoperatively? I'm not being condescending or argumentative; I'm trying to get info to figure out where you are and where you are headed.

What are your expectations for "restriction"? How do you envision that being different from where you are now?

I know you're very, very frustrated....just trying to think of things to help.

[PrincessErin 64]

These threads make me so confused about what to expect. Does the band help - or not at all!?

[lauravandal 0]

I personally chose the band over the sleeve b/c of it being less invasive. Also, the band works, just at a slower pace. My doctor does the sleeve but what I have learned is that the people who lose the weight slower keep it off longer and have an easier time keeping it off. Also, it is never good for your body to lose that much weight so quickly. Most of those people have to go back and have liposuction to get rid of the sagging skin. The lapband patients rarely have to do this b/c your body is slowly getting smaller. The band isn't for everyone but I do think that you have to go with what fits your lifestyle.

[ElfiePoo 109]

Elfie, I wonder about your experience. You are still seeking the elusive restriction, but I wonder where you are now, in terms of the sensations you're experiencing before, during, and after eating. How do they compare with preoperatively?

I know you're very, very frustrated....just trying to think of things to help.

Betsy,

I thank you very much for your interest and concern and do not see it as being condescending or argumentative :cursing:.

I actually had quite a long conversation with my doctor's nurse (who has been very successful with her band) this morning regarding my expectations and she confirmed that my expectations were on target. She was not the one who was giving me my past fills and she thinks, based on the notes, that at 8cc I was close to that sweet spot and when we jumped by .5cc, we should've been going up by .1cc and allowing a bit more time between fills.

They decided to give me another 1cc fill today to take me back up to 8cc and then come back in a month for a small tweak if I need to.

I had a Protein shake this morning before I went for the fill and am just now getting ready to eat something...but I'm really not hungry. In fact, I'm going to have to force myself to eat something because I have no desire to eat. Maybe I'll just have another Protein Shake and be kind to my newly filled band. Now if I could just keep this feeling...no hunger, no desire. Sweet!

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