VSG vs. other optional surgeries

[JenniLee0628 3]

Hi all! I am starting on my VSG journey! There are so many emotions being so young and a young mother. I recently turned 29 and have had medical issues since I was 2 (arthritis and fibromyalgia). I have battled weight all my life and I am ready to make the change. I really thought I wanted to do the lapband, but after meeting with my doctor a week ago I am now leaning towards the sleeve. What made your mind up to go with the sleeve vs. the other options?

[Rootman 1,101]

Too many issues with the band, erosion of the esophagus, ongoing maintenance with filling and un-filling saline to adjust the size, possible slippage and the fact that I have an aversion to having a plastic thingy floating around in my gut,

[cludgie 81]

For me I wanted my wls to be something which happened in my life but did not rule it. I felt with the band it needed so much after care, and maintenance that I would never be able to just get on loving the rest of my life.

When I had my surgery I traveled with 2 ladies getting the band, and after I explained why I wanted the sleeve not the band, both of them said they wished they'd looked into it all more, and gone for the sleeve too.

Good luck with your choice.

[melissa71 0]

I have the LapBand and it has slipped. So I am now exploring other options. I had heard of the sleeve before my band surgery but did not look further into it. My mistake. While I have lost weight with the band, it is a lot of work. The fills, finding your "sweet spot" oh and if you are just ever so slightly over filled, the pain. I am really liking what I read about the sleeve. The only thing I think that is holding me back in making my decision is if I have complications. Maybe I will maybe I wont but I would like to have a plan in place if I do. I live in NOVA and a single mom with a 8 year old. My closest relative is 5 hours away. Oh and in this economy I am very limited with time off. Good luck with your searching. I am so glad I was redirected from the lap band talk forums to here. So many great people sharing.

[iegal 460]

Hi;

Glad you are looking into options. I went into my surgeon looking for a lapband after all the ads here in Los Angeles area. He then mentioned the sleeve and after discussing with my husband - he agreed although permanent the sleeve was the better choice. I self paid for my surgery here in the US and the sleeve was a higher cost, but in my opinion completly worth it.

Down side of band as mentioned: The fills, the needles for the fills, the cost for the "adjustments", the complications, the foreign object in my body choking my stomach, the horror stories a friend told me about her band.

Down side of VSG: It is permanent. VSG is restrictive only and no dumping syndrome so you do not get "punished" for eating wrong kind of foods.

You can only decide what is best for you. I have no regrets on sleeve - minus not having done this earlier. Good luck in your search and happy to answer any other questions.

[Tiffykins 673]

I've had both. VSG was not available when I had my band so in my mind, the band was the lesser of 2 evils between RNY and the band. My story is horrific, and it was only in my body for 8 months before I HAD to revise. Keeping it in my body was not an option. Of course, I was drawn to it for the same reasons as many because it's marketed to be safe. I knew the complications, but I also thought I could beat the risks like a few other band patients did. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

When I had to revise, I could have easily had RNY, but I fought for the sleeve. It might be permanent, but it's also the least complicated. It's a straight forward surgery. The recovery is often bumpy with getting liquids in, but it would be temporary.

I'm over 2 years out with VSG, and love life. It's the best thing I ever did for myself and my family. I always tell people to think twice, cut once. The stats on the band are getting worse. There have been recalls, speculation on class action lawsuits are stirring in the lapband community, and the number of complications are on the rise.

Best wishes in your research ! ! !

[RickM 1,753]

The Band was never a consideration for me due to its poor performance and high complication rate. The only other option considered was the DS which, unlike the RNY, offers a notable performance improvement for its added complexity and side effects, but in my situation I decided that I didn't need the bigger hammer to solve the problem.

[JenniLee0628 3]

I've had both. VSG was not available when I had my band so in my mind, the band was the lesser of 2 evils between RNY and the band. My story is horrific, and it was only in my body for 8 months before I HAD to revise. Keeping it in my body was not an option. Of course, I was drawn to it for the same reasons as many because it's marketed to be safe. I knew the complications, but I also thought I could beat the risks like a few other band patients did. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

When I had to revise, I could have easily had RNY, but I fought for the sleeve. It might be permanent, but it's also the least complicated. It's a straight forward surgery. The recovery is often bumpy with getting liquids in, but it would be temporary.

I'm over 2 years out with VSG, and love life. It's the best thing I ever did for myself and my family. I always tell people to think twice, cut once. The stats on the band are getting worse. There have been recalls, speculation on class action lawsuits are stirring in the lapband community, and the number of complications are on the rise.

Best wishes in your research ! ! !

Thank you so much for your post! I have completely decided on the sleeve and very excited about this journey. I am starting to hear all of these horror stories about the band and you are right think twice, cut once. Hope you don't mind me asking but how is your pregnancy with having the band? I am still young and have 1 daughter but would like to have more in a couple years hopefully. Any issues? Thank you for being so honest and letting me know the problems you have had. It really helps!

[FishingNurse 1,211]

I also was 100% set on the band until the surgeon, RNs and other staff at my baratic weight loss center kind of swayed me. Then I joined this site, and thanks to all the people here (esp. Tiffykins!) I changed my mind and feel like I have dodged a bullet. I am having surgery in 1 week, and I am currently on the 10 day high Protein liquid diet. I couldn't be more excited!

[Tiffykins 673]

Thank you so much for your post! I have completely decided on the sleeve and very excited about this journey. I am starting to hear all of these horror stories about the band and you are right think twice, cut once. Hope you don't mind me asking but how is your pregnancy with having the band? I am still young and have 1 daughter but would like to have more in a couple years hopefully. Any issues? Thank you for being so honest and letting me know the problems you have had. It really helps!

Pregnancy with the sleeve is awesome. I have no food issues, and the baby is thriving. I struggle with weight regain, and other body changes since being skinny in pregnancy. BUT, medically, VSG has NOT complicated my pregnancy at all.

I am high risk because of my age (34), my genetic clotting disorder, and my previous c-section.

I have no issues with Vitamin levels and have labs pulled every 4-6 weeks to monitor my intake and make sure everything is still on target.