I'm debating band vs sleeve and was wondering about this. Can the band work for 20 plus years or will it have to eventually be removed?

One of my coworkers has had it for 11 years with one complication - a port replacement. She looks AMAZING! 250lbs. lost and now she's a living barbie doll, you'd never know she once had a weight problem.

Meanwhile...I have 3 friends who have the sleeve, 2 had complications almost immediately. One was life-threatening and she was hospitalized for well over a month. When she returned to work she looked like a cancer patient with a flat tire around her waist. Not a pretty picture. She looks great now, but she says she wishes she had gone with the band first.

Try the least invasive procedure first!

It's not a long term device unless you plan on only living for a decade. Not many human bodies will withstand the band's presence for that long, unfortunately. I am only trying to help the original poster in her research.

She is asking for opinions. She hasn't been banded yet. If people who have already gotten bands are happy with them, more power to them. But I believe it's important for people who haven't yet chosen the band to know the less "happy" side because the seminars don't give out all that information. Ultimately she'll choose for herself what is best for her, but I wish someone had told me BEFORE surgery that the advertising is just that- advertising-trying to sell a product. It's important to know the truth.

I realize no one likes to imagine that they'll have band issues and it makes people defensive. I'm used to being told that "just because it happened to you doesn't mean it will happen to me." And I always hope they're right.

You're kidding, right? Your post is completely off the mark. Do you even have the band?

You know, you guys are right. I'm going to have another band done. I mean, the first two damaged me completely, but the third time's a charm! Let's see how much more my diaphragm and esophagus can handle! I'm sure it will work THIS time. My family will be SO happy that you all changed my mind about the band. I'm sure they'll completely forget that I nearly died from band complications. They'll just be happy that I'm getting my third band so I can be "healthy."

I'm so glad I'm a member here (even though I don't want to be. What kind of site doesn't have a deactivation option?) It's so "nice" to interact with people who have no respect for the opinions of others.

Yes, I had a band. TWO of them, actually. I believe I mentioned that I had been banded earlier in this thread. Reading is a big part of researching. It's a shame so few people know how to do it.

Okay, have fun. I have to go make an appointment for the band. I really think it will work this time. I do. I can't wait to almost die again! Very exciting.

I have had the band for ten years and have had complications. I highly recommend getting the sleeve and not the band.

Let's see you wouldn't recommend the band because you have had complications, but you would recommend the sleeve which you haven't had, but has an admittedly higher complication rate than the band. I'm sorry, that doesn't make sense.

Frankly, I don't care which people have. They just need to do the research, weigh risks (which all WLS has) and make a choice that they are comfortable with. For me, that was the band. If I have complications with the band I would have few problems choosing a sleeve revision, but I never would have gone to the sleeve first.

But each of us is different, and no matter what WLS you choose, you are going to have to make lifestyle choices that are consistent with weight loss, or none of them will work for you.

You know, you guys are right. I'm going to have another band done. I mean, the first two damaged me completely, but the third time's a charm! Let's see how much more my diaphragm and esophagus can handle! I'm sure it will work THIS time. My family will be SO happy that you all changed my mind about the band. I'm sure they'll completely forget that I nearly died from band complications. They'll just be happy that I'm getting my third band so I can be "healthy."

I'm so glad I'm a member here (even though I don't want to be. What kind of site doesn't have a deactivation option?) It's so "nice" to interact with people who have no respect for the opinions of others.

Yes, I had a band. TWO of them, actually. I believe I mentioned that I had been banded earlier in this thread. Reading is a big part of researching. It's a shame so few people know how to do it.

Okay, have fun. I have to go make an appointment for the band. I really think it will work this time. I do. I can't wait to almost die again! Very exciting.

You don't need a deactivation button, just don't login to the site. Problem solved! I truly don't believe your story though.

Furthermore - you're not very bright to try something a third time if you almost died twice before. Didn't your mommy tell you never to be a follower? Why on earth would you allow complete strangers to "talk you into" doing something you know is bad for you? There's a ton of guys in the third and fifth wards of Houston that would love to sell you some of their lovely pharmaceuticals if you're that easilly pursuaded. Gee whiz. Get a grip. I think you need another psych eval before you do ANYTHING else.

i think a person with no stats no pic no real info on there profile and so strongly against the band is prob properganda and the band is they only WLS that can be removed if all go"s pear shaped im sorry but the band is the safest option by far .

I'm all about the "properganda." You know me! Yay for properganda.

If all go"s pear shaped im sorry. Yep. Seems par for the course.

You said it much better than I could have.

For the OP: here's a link for you. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/13-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

how do u know i was on about u ivy got a guilty con have we lol i mite of been on about megan0318 she also had allot 2 say about it and is brand new with very little on her profile both of u could be working 4 weight loss trying 2 promote the sleeve and diss the band just saying but i do love a bit of banter lol hahaha

how do u know i was on about u ivy got a guilty con have we lol i mite of been on about megan0318 she also had allot 2 say about it and is brand new with very little on her profile both of u could be working 4 weight loss trying 2 promote the sleeve and diss the band just saying but i do love a bit of banter lol hahaha

yes it was school but still nothing 2 say so im prob rite then hay ..................... mmmm

Seriously. I think you need a psych evaluation before you proceed with any subsequent surgeries. I am far from feeble minded and sarcasm has no place on this site. We are real people, helping each other with real issues with weight loss. If you're here to play games, you should definitely find another outlet.

See, this is where the READING comprehension comes into play.

The original poster asked for opinions. She didn't ask for opinions ONLY from those who "love" their bands. Therefore, I felt justified in responding, seeing as how it's been over 11 years since I first was banded. I am trying to HELP this nice lady in her research, seeing as how research entails hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Now, if you have gotten a band and are in the "I love it" stage of life, good for you. My opinion should only matter to you if you have some doubt that you did, in fact, make the right decision.

See, this is where the READING comprehension comes into play.

The original poster asked for opinions. She didn't ask for opinions ONLY from those who "love" their bands. Therefore, I felt justified in responding, seeing as how it's been over 11 years since I first was banded. I am trying to HELP this nice lady in her research, seeing as how research entails hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Now, if you have gotten a band and are in the "I love it" stage of life, good for you. My opinion should only matter to you if you have some doubt that you did, in fact, make the right decision.

Your opinion is valid as is your experience.

But saying blanket statements like "the band isn't a long term device" isn't helping anyone. If you can't back up your statement with facts then they're nothing more than a futile attempt at a scare tactic.

Stick to your opinion and your experience and stop with your ridiculous fear mongering. Problem solved.