Why did you make the decision to band instead of sleeve???

I chose it because its the least invasive of the surgeries.

And how has your experience been? I'm so terrified of the band slipping or having to have a revisions etc

I chose it because it was less invasive and I could have it removed if there was a problem. I did not like the problems with the sleeve and did not want my stomach cut on. Plus hopefully by the time I might have to have a revision they may know more than they know now, or for instance placations may be covered by insurance, and my Dr. recommended it. Can't tell you how it's been I'm getting banded in the morning. Good luck with your decision.

~~~Stephanie

I had the lap band with plication and I absolutely love it. I have no regrets at all. It's been a year and 3 days that I've had my band And I've lost 130 in that amount of time. I'm only 8 pounds from my goal weight.

Wow congrats!

I chose the band after consulting with my surgeon. It is not as invasive, quicker recovery (bonus as a single parent), and he really felt with what I was already doing in regards to exercise and what I need to lose, the band would work great for me. I am only 3 weeks in and so far so good, but I am still learning and still on my staged diet progression.

Good luck with your decision!

I chose the band because I couldn't justify cutting out 75-80% of my stomach. If something goes wrong with the band I can just get it removed but you can never get back the majority of your stomach they remove. God forbid you get something like stomach cancer with the sleeve- you're totally screwed.

same here. less invasive and reversible. the sleeve is not. my experience has been very good with the band. had the surgery on January 14th and am down 61 1/2 lbs. with no fills as of yet. still have a ways to go (I'm hoping to lose 100 lbs.) but this is a very good start.

I had the lap band with plication and I absolutely love it. I have no regrets at all. It's been a year and 3 days that I've had my band And I've lost 130 in that amount of time. I'm only 8 pounds from my goal weight.

I have the band. What is Plication

Another consideration which my internal medicine PCP brought to my attention was that I was not a good candidate for the sleeve due to my history with reflux.

As others have posted, I chose the band due to lower mortality rates and the ability to have it removed if complications occurred.

Through my experiences with my bariatric surgeon and my PCP, I spoke at length to both physicians to help me make my decision.

Best wishes...

Your PCP and you surgeon would be the best to advise you. I chose LB because I wanted to avoid more intrusive surgery. Each of us is different and need to decide what is best along with our doctors and other support systems.

As others have said, I chose this because the risk rate is lower and it is adjustable/reversible

Also my insurance didnt cover the sleeve or plication, so it was either this or gastric bypass, and I didn't want the lifelong malabsorption issues that the people who I know that had gb have to deal with

So far I'm very happy with my decision

But I think that what will make all the difference is having a surgeon who you really connect with

My daughter dropped a bombshell and I'm worried

My daughter called tonight to tell me she is scheduled on June 18th for gastric sleeve surgery in San Antonio, TX. I asked why the sleeve and she said because her surgeon no longer does lapband surgery because of the high failure he had with patients. He only does bypass surgery and the gastric sleeve only. My late husband's. mother died of stomach cancer as did her Aunt on her father's side die from stomach cancer last year. My daughter said she wants a permanent fix because she can't be bothered going back for fills. I'm really worried about her but thrilled that she is doing something about her weight.

Has anyone heard of a doctor not wanting to do the band because of a high failure rate? I haven't.

Also, she is self pay because her insurance does not cover gastric sleeve surgery. Her surgeon is charging her $4500 for the surgery plus she has to stay 3 days in the hospital which she also has to pay. She is putting it all on Care Credit.

I'm very concerned for my daughter as she has never had major surgery and she has a little 1 yr old to take care of as well.

Sorry for rambling on but I'm concerned about my daughter getting the sleeve.

If it was my decision I would have gone in for the sleeve. My doctor was pushing the band, while his APRN told me to that I should go with the sleeve based on my the reports from the cardiologist, upper GI test results, cardio and other health screening. I was torn between the two procedures. The only reason I went with the band was because that is was what submitted to the insurance company for approval, and I didn't want to delay surgery any longer after the several months that I had to suffer through waiting for my approval,

My wife was worried about my undergoing any surgery besides the band... odd thing is when she finally accepted the fact that I was going to have my surgery, she decided that WLS was the solution for her weight issues and ended up going for for the gastric sleeve!!!!! I still believe the sleeve is the best choice for rapid weight loss, and it is free of the maintenance and fill hassles associated with the band. I would do the sleeve if I had the chance to do it over.

Regardless, now that I have the band, I will do whatever it takes to make it work and to lose the weight I want and need to shed.

Congratulations!