I am considering getting the Lap Band, but lately I have been researching the gastric sleeve. I was wondering can you all tell me what made you choose to get the band over the sleeve and also what if any impact your surgeon had on your decision. Thank You all, I keep flip flopping back and forth.

Melissa

R U A SELF PAY?

no, i have BCBS federal

That is what I had too. I still ended up having to pay about $3000 because the anesthesiologist wasn't a preferred provider. I think my mom paid $7500 for the plication in Mexico. Remember to consider the cost of fills. They can add up fast.

Even though I am sleeved, my first option was the lap-band. I thought it'd be ideal to get something that could be removed if anything were to happen. But after research and learning a lot from other lap banders, I chose the sleeve. I knew I needed something that was permanent. I also needed something that really didn't have any major complications or restriction afterwards (slipping, erosion, fill, unfill, port flipping, etc.) And I know this doesn't happen to everyone. the idea of having the band just sit between my belly didn't "sit" well with me. I thought of it as this: if I wrapped a rubber exercise band around my upper arm for a year w/o removing it, and all of a sudden i removed it, my arm will no longer go back to the way it was. i'd have some form of tissue damage, atrophy, etc.

i figured, if i'd might as well go ahead and get the biggest part of my tummy removed! Now although leaks may occur with sleeve surgery, i made sure i did my research on my doc. iirc, she only had one leak, and they caught it and fixed it and she was outta the hospital in 2 days with no further complications. I'm 3.5 weeks out and i am loving my sleeve. 37 lbs down and it's amazing how i feel. i haven't had problems with eating any of the food i've tried. restriction is amazing and i never hurt or nothing has gotten stuck. never vomited (only after taking meds/vitamins when i got home). After 4 weeks, my NUT said i can try anything i want, but in moderation; besides i get full after a few bites. I plan on taking it slow because i will not let myself ruin this. i do no feel hunger at times, but i drink Water or crystal light and it goes away. i can now tell the difference between head hunger and real hunger.

but overall, i didn't want the band because of continued maintenance. who knows when i switch insurances if they cover the fills, or if i move and there's no fill doctor, or i go somewhere and i have problems with my band and no other doctor will touch a previous doctors work etc.

just do your research and do what is right and comfortable for YOU!!. GOOD LUCK with your journey and I hope you come outta this with complete confidence! :-)

LissaD ....Just wondering if you made your decision?

Well, seeing as I've had both the lap band and now I'm sleeved I can tell you I truly love being sleeved far more. I won't get into details out in the open simply because this is a Lap Band support website and I must respect that, and I absolutely do.

I just wanted to say that elfiepoo and biriniak both had excellent responses and are very spot on. I always just like to say, the lap band IS NOT reversible. It is removable... then again there have been some where that is not entirely true either.

Questions: PM me.

All the best in your decision... and know that it is YOUR decision.

I would love to get more information on your decision to change to the sleeve. I am seriously considering the change as well. Tracey

For me the band was reversable!

No cutting

and I know 2 people with the sleeve who has had SERIOUS problems with it.

I would love to get more information on your decision to change to the sleeve. I am seriously considering the change as well. Tracey

Hi blondenurse... you will find a wealth of information here at our sister forum: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/ You will also find me there too under the same screen name. HTH

Irene pretty much stated it really well.

My inspiration to get surgery came from my mother who had a sleeve two and a half years ago and has lost 195 pounds. The reason I got the band was because my horrible insurance said that the sleeve was "experimental." If I were you, I would go with the sleeve. My mom had a little more trouble than I did in the beginning right after her surgery, but two years out she is perfectly happy. She never had to go through fills or anything and still has food restriction. She is not malnourished at all. With the band, there tends to be a lot of complications after surgery, so I'm just waiting for them to occur, while with the sleeve, there are very few.

It's up to you, but I would strongly urge you to do the sleeve. I love my band and I'm incredibly grateful for it, but I believe I would have liked the sleeve even more if I had been given the chance to get it.

Gastric Sleeve and Lap Band are some of the most efficient surgeries which help patients control obesity and weight loss. Each procedure has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The gastric sleeve is beneficial for patients with a BMI over 45 and no intestinal bypass is need, therefore avoiding long-term complications. But, the gastric sleeve bypass is not reversible, it is rarely covered by health or medical insurance, there is a chance of not producing the expected weight loss, it is a little more expensive compared with the lap band and there is also the chance of leakage from staples.

The lap band requires no cutting of the stomach muscles or stapling, the procedure can be reversed, so the band can be removed, the stomach patch size is adjustable and the patient id released from hospital after 48 hours or even 24 hours. But, patients who choose this procedure will notice that the weight loss is slower, they will not be able to eat certain types of food and there is also the possibility for the gastric band to deflate or slip.

If you cannot choose between these two procedures you should talk to your doctor who will determine which is the best for you and which will suit your weight, circumstances and goals.@@PlacidWay

Old post never mind

Edited May 26, 201610 yr by UsernameTaken