Did anyone else have as much of a battle as I am trying to figure out whether or not going with the sleeve or the lap band is better? I just don't know. The lap band can have so many complications where as the sleeve what's done is done, no fills no slippage.. Not as much of a risk ? But they are still taking out part of your stomach ! Idk .. Thoughts ?

I went with the advice of my Family doctor and Endocrinologist, even over that of my Bariatric Surgeon. The Bariatric surgeon recommended the solution that gave me the best weight loss. Both of the other doctors told me that in my case a less intensive solution was warranted and if required we could look at more aggressive solutions later.

There are pros and cons to all surgeries , yes no slips or fills with the sleeve but you can have Malabsortion and dumping with the sleeve and there is no reversing the sleeve if you have problems, personal choice just do your homework and you will know what will be best for yourself

I understand your dilemma and went through exactly the same as you.

But with lots and lots of research, have decided to have the lap band this coming Tuesday.

My reasons being...... I have met about 12 ppl with lap band, and almost all have lost lots and lots of weight and and are now in set regimes of how to comfortably eat without all those issues and loosing the weight.

I only know 1 person who has the sleeve and yes she's lost all her weight with no side effects or issues.

But with lots of looking into this, the problem is that the specialists don't know of the long term repercussions in case it stretches and or the person down the track gets stomach cancer and may need part of the stomach removed.

As the lap band has been around a lot longer and they know the success rate and is reversible, where as the sleeve as you say is taking away part of your stomach and to me, is a lot more invasive.

Good luck to you in your decision, but I do recommend doing as much research before making any decision.

I to had this problem and had the lap band done and please everone dont blast my decision but I had so many problems with the band even been hospitalize having my band totally empited and starting over I just got tired and then I kept getting pouches at first my doctor thought I was over eating I assured him I was not my body just rejected the band and to time consume always running back and forth for fills unfills then people do say there is not alot of research on the sleeve but thats not true the sleeve use to be part of the gastric bypass it was call the duedo switch please forgive my spelling and what happen was they did this to get the morbid obese patients down so they could have the bi bypass but what they found out was alot of patients did good with it and didnt need gastri so they allowed the sleeve to stand on its on now on to malabsorpion that is not totally true either r stomach is still intack so we absorb are food and vitamins I was sleeve 3/19/13 and I am enjoying ever minute of it and hate I wasted so much time and money on the band

Personally, I just couldn't justify cutting out 75-80% of my healthy stomach. God forbid you ever get some horrible disease or illness that effects your digestive system you're totally screwed. Plus, the complications with the Sleeve are much more serious than the band- like leaking after surgery.

The Band is adjustable. If you stretch your stomach by over-eating after the Sleeve, again you're totally screwed. You can't "adjust" the Sleeve (and this happens often with both Bypass and the Sleeve)

It is true the Band requires a lot more aftercare and follow-up so it does needed to be taken into consideration. If you're self pay or insurance won't cover fills, you need to be sure you can afford it. You also have to be willing to be compliant with your doctor.

You have to do what it is best for you, be it the Band or the Sleeve. As for myself, I have lost over 200 pounds over the last 17 months (despite 3 surgeries and blood clots in my legs) and couldn't be happier with my band.

I also had the band after attending several seminars and discussed with other weight loss surgical patients.. I had some with bypass and some with sleeves and a few with the band in the group.. the banded folks seemed to have less complications.. sleeve is more radical than what I wanted.. by pass was out of the question for me.. I have a friend who had to have radiation and chemo and had a band, they emptied her band, she had her treatment without losing a ton of weight which is what they wanted to avoid...God forbid anyone should have to have treatment for cancer or any other serious illness and not be able to control their weight... I know that the by pass and sleeve people lose faster but the ones that I talked to did not look or feel healthy... so after that, I dec.ided to go with the band

I struggled with this too. My doctor does both so he didn't seen to have a bias. I just liked the fact that if there ever was a problem (god forbid) they could take it out. The sleeve is a riskier surgery, and once your stomach is gone...it's gone. The problems with the band are usually fixable and not that serious, but anything can happen. I know people who have bands and people who have sleeves. Both with successes and bumps in the road. Either one is a tool, I just wanted least risk, with most reward. Good luck in your decision. My band is still new, but I'm happy I did it. I learned that asking this question sometimes turns into a Ford's vs. Chevy's conversation. With a good doctor and good discipline I think both a relatively safe and successful.

Did anyone else have as much of a battle as I am trying to figure out whether or not going with the sleeve or the lap band is better? I just don't know. The lap band can have so many complications where as the sleeve what's done is done, no fills no slippage.. Not as much of a risk ? But they are still taking out part of your stomach ! Idk .. Thoughts ?

no matter which surgery one has, unless the person is willing to make life changes, any early success will be short lived..many people with bypass now want the band....sure the ds and sleeve and bypass can offer quicker loss in the beginning, but if old eating habits return, guess what happens

my dr wanted me to have bypass because of my size but i have used the band as instructed and changed my attitude from i cant to i want...and i am living proof as are many others who are proof the band can and does work

any wls does and can have complications..its a risk we all take

one surgery isnt any better than the other..what makes one better is how the person chooses to use it..many people figure just having wls will make them lose weight and they can still eat fast food and such like before surgery...these are the ones who say the band is not working or in 4 months post op asking what are they doing wrong

get the surgery that you and your doctor feels is best for you

for best results, follow the instructions they advise you of, be honest with yourself and start making your life better...you have to decide which option is best for you. you will read good and bad..but it boils down to if you really want to make your life better and if so, doing what you need to for it to happen.

no matter which surgery one has' date=' unless the person is willing to make life changes, any early success will be short lived..many people with bypass now want the band....sure the ds and sleeve and bypass can offer quicker loss in the beginning, but if old eating habits return, guess what happens

my dr wanted me to have bypass because of my size but i have used the band as instructed and changed my attitude from i cant to i want...and i am living proof as are many others who are proof the band can and does work

any wls does and can have complications..its a risk we all take

one surgery isnt any better than the other..what makes one better is how the person chooses to use it..many people figure just having wls will make them lose weight and they can still eat fast food and such like before surgery...these are the ones who say the band is not working or in 4 months post op asking what are they doing wrong

get the surgery that you and your doctor feels is best for you

for best results, follow the instructions they advise you of, be honest with yourself and start making your life better...you have to decide which option is best for you. you will read good and bad..but it boils down to if you really want to make your life better and if so, doing what you need to for it to happen.[/quote']

I agree whole heartily! TY