Hi people....

I will have my first surgeon appointment this week....I was reading and searching information about the band and the sleeve...Now, Im very confused! My BMI is now 35.6, I have Diabetes 2, hbp, and now GERD....I dont know if any person here have my problem, now after months of doing my work (teaching my self about the band), I dont know what to do. Lap band (refills, long term, erosion..), and sleeve (leaks, staples, cut a part of my stomach...) If anyone had this brain storm, please give me an advise...Im in the point to cancel my surgeon appointment. ...

God bless !

It's your decision. Just know that both require lifetime changes to the way you eat to be successful and both require work on your part.

Weight loss surgery is a tool not a magic fix for fat. The work will always be yours to do.

Very true Miss73....I'm in tears in that...very sad.

Sorry Mara, you have to do the research and choose for your self. Some things to look at:

1. Success ratio - Average excess weight loss.

2. Complication ratio - What type, and the frequency of complications for a particular type of WLS. For instance, banders don't experience dumping or malabsorbtion, but they do experience getting "stuck".

3. Mortality rate - My wife would rather have me fat and alive, then dead and skinny.

4. Recovery time.

5. Cost

Now, the problem with coming on to a bander board and asking which is better, is you are going to be talking to a bunch of people who have already made that decision for themselves for what ever reason, Same with a sleeve or a GB board. Their reasons won't necessarily make sense for you.

Personally, I chose banding because while it had a lower Excess Weight Loss Average, the complications and mortality rate were also much, much lower than the other surgeries. Additionally I had a philosophical problem having my stomach cut away and my intestines re-routed, and the accompanying mal-absorption issues that would accompany that type of surgery. With that said, if my band ever fails and I can't have it replaced I would probably opt for a sleeve or GB. After loosing 50 pounds with the band, I would put up with the additional issues to continue to be thin. I don't ever want to go back to where I was.

I want to echo Missy's comment, WLS is not a magic fix, it is a hell of a lot of hard work. But the thing is, with the WLS the hard work means something. Good luck on your research and your journey. BTW, Alex sells a book on this forum that will really tell you everything you need to know about what being banded means.

I always send people here . For a pretty unbiased comparison.

http://www.trueresul...-loss-surgeries/

I always send people here . For a pretty unbiased comparison.

http://www.trueresul...loss-surgeries/

http://www.trueresults.com/weight-loss-surgeries

thank you!

I have friends and family who have all three surgeries...some successful and some not so much. Yes, a tool. I am five pounds to goal, started at 267, I'm down to 158. Size 24 down to almost a size 9. I'm happy with my band. Eating is somewhat different for me as I can't tolerate certain breads and foods. But, those were the goods that made me heavy in the first place. Learn about all surgeries, outcomes, etc. I didn't want to have malabsorption issues or dumping syndrome. The sleeve is a newer procedure that I've heard great things. My sis just had GB and is losing well. Good luck (I've been banded since December 2010)

I have friends and family who have all three surgeries...some successful and some not so much. Yes' date=' a tool. I am five pounds to goal, started at 267, I'm down to 158. Size 24 down to almost a size 9. I'm happy with my band. Eating is somewhat different for me as I can't tolerate certain breads and foods. But, those were the goods that made me heavy in the first place. Learn about all surgeries, outcomes, etc. I didn't want to have malabsorption issues or dumping syndrome. The sleeve is a newer procedure that I've heard great things. My sis just had GB and is losing well. Good luck (I've been banded since December 2010)[/quote']

Thank you! !

I think one of the biggest things that helped me make my decision was to sit down and take a hard look at the pros and cons of both procedures. You need to look deep within yourself and be honest about what your current eating habits, weaknesses, and strengths are. Each procedure has proven to be effective, but neither is perfect for everyone. At my support group meetings (which I still attend twice a month) they stress that you should always go with the surgery that best fits your eating habits, goals, and lifestyle...not second guessing what you deep down know is right. One of the other things they talk about I'd type II diabetes and the types of surgery that best help manage or eliminate it. While weight loss alone with the lap band can prove very successful in helping to manage diabetes, more recently experts are looking at sleeve/bypass as options for even the normal bmi patients because of the significant evidence that they truly help eliminate type II diabetes. Either way, you are only as successful as the work you put into any surgery you choose. I wish you the best of luck in whatever decision you make!

thanks bigenuff , that comparison was helpful .online casino

Ur welcome Goodluck !! It's a hard decision and we all have reasons for choosing the band but whatever you chose you will have support from the great people on this site !

And thanks to Terry for completing the link.not sure why it came up like that.

I had the band April 3rd and my husband had the sleeve march 13th he is doing really well the weight is just dropping off of him which makes me a little jealous he didn't want to deal with getting fills and I didn't want to lose too fast.so it was just a matter of preference but we are in this journey together for the same end result to be healthier and feel better...just do your homework and look at both options pro and cons in the end you will know in your gut which one is right for you...good luck

I have a friend who has had both surgeries and she is having a lot more problems with the sleeve. Unfortunately this surgery cannot be reversed. Just make sure you do your research, have an excellent surgeon and follow the rules as best as you can. A word of caution, no weigh loss surgery is an easy fix, there is a lot of work involved on your part. Good luck.

Ty for the comments!