Hello all!,

I have been considering lap band for a little over a year now. I recently changed my mind, and am now considering the sleeve. I would love to hear from those who have had both. Can you give me your opinions about the two? So far my research has shown that the sleeve has better results, and less complications than the lap band. Thanks for your input! :lol0:

Everything she said. :thumbup:

It TOTALLY helps with willpower... and when you decide ("decide" -- as opposed to mindlessly grabbing and gulping) to have a little treat, you have a bite or two and that's it--done.

Last week for some reason, patients were bringing in goodies left and right. Usually not a problem, but two of those things were two of my favorites: pineapple upside down cake, and coconut almond fudge ice cream, which is the best I've ever had EVER. I knew if I got into that cake early, I'd want to pick at little bits all day long, so I told myself I'd cut off one bite on the way out the door at night. That kept me from obsessing over it all day long (which I'd have done before), and guess what? Tuesday AND Wednesday, I totally forgot about it and didn't have that bite as I was leaving. Thursday, same story with the ice cream LOL!! Finally on Friday, after lunch I let myself take a nice rounded teaspoonful of the ice cream out of the carton, savored it, and that was enough. Before, I could have gone through 2/3s of the carton, no problem.

It's weird...you really do stop constantly thinking about food all the time and although there WILL be times when you do just want "something" different, usually something that's not real conducive to weight loss, you either get over it quickly or get it done with, having so little that it's not a big deal.

As a lurker, I would like to thank you guys for these replies. I'd really love to see more info from men with WLS (it seems to be primarily women). I'm about 6 weeks out from a VSG surgery, and I'm terrified -- but hopeful. I'm wondering if I'm finally going to be able to get back into weightlifting, and if the VSG will allow me to have enough protein/calories/energy to do that, but bulking up muscle seems to be primarily a male concern :confused1: The other major trepidation I have is missing my beloved beer! I may finally become a wine drinker, since it seems like much more of a "sipping" beverage. Thanks again to all those posting. It's very illuminating stuff.

To all of you, Thanks so much for the information. It is really encouraging and helpful in getting me past my fears and concerns. I know this will not be easy, but having the support of others and the success stories of folks that have been where I am and survived, is "Tipping the scale" yes pun intended! in favor of moving forward.

Thanks again

I had a band prior to the sleeve as well. I was uncomfortable every single day for 5 years with that damn thing. I was discussing it with my doc yesterday when he told me he is doing three more band to sleeves this week. My band eroded, put a hole in my stomach, and I had to wait 6 months before my sleeve.

I actually wrote about this yesterday to one of my friends. I think we all finally convinced her NOT to get the band. She is having bypass, but I suppose that is better than the band. This is what I said to her:

"I told him to stop putting that damn band into people LOL His comment was, "well, I can't comment, but I agree with you more and more every day." I then agreed that the more research there is, the worse the band looks. He nodded and said, "no comment," once again. His resident was agreeing too.

I cannot tell you how much better... normal, really, that I feel now. I felt horrible every day I had that band. Even on good days. It sucks when you can't enjoy one bite of food because it hurts so much going down. Now start getting your mind geared up. I won't lie, the first month sucked. I am seven weeks out now though and am very happy I made this decision "