I am in the process of having baratric surgery...i went in for my consultation with my surgeon with the intentions of having lap band...he suggested the sleeve as another alternative and actually said he would choose the sleeve over lap band if he were having the surgery......i am now torn between the 2...i like the fact that with the sleeve you don't have the maintenence issues with adjustments and fills.. once the surgery is done ...its done (barring any complications...my main concern is that it is irreversible whereas the lap band could be removed if there were complications....Sleevers...what made you choose the Gastric Sleeve procedure?

If you trust your surgeon, if your surgeon has lots of experience doing these procedures, then you should take his/her recommendation very seriously. Also, please read this forum thoroughly. So many of the sleeve patients here have had their lap bands removed and replaced with the sleeve procedure. From what I have read, the lap band has complications long term.

I refer you to the sub-forum within VerticalSleeveTalk called: Band to Sleeve Revisions

You will find many people who have had the lap band surgery commenting on their experiences here.

As for myself, I was sleeved 13 days ago. I wanted a permanent solution with low maintenance (no fills and adjustments.) I didn't want the equipment installed in my body. My primary care doctor introduced me to the idea of the sleeve surgery. I liked the idea of reducing the production of the hunger hormone gherlin -- which is produced primarily in the part of the stomach that is removed. In my research I came across this forum and really learned a lot about the realities of the procedure. I am at the beginning of my weight loss journey but I am very happy with my choice.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

If you trust your surgeon, if your surgeon has lots of experience doing these procedures, then you should take his/her recommendation very seriously. Also, please read this forum thoroughly. So many of the sleeve patients here have had their lap bands removed and replaced with the sleeve procedure. From what I have read, the lap band has complications long term.

I refer you to the sub-forum within VerticalSleeveTalk called: Band to Sleeve Revisions

You will find many people who have had the lap band surgery commenting on their experiences here.

As for myself, I was sleeved 13 days ago. I wanted a permanent solution with low maintenance (no fills and adjustments.) I didn't want the equipment installed in my body. My primary care doctor introduced me to the idea of the sleeve surgery. I liked the idea of reducing the production of the hunger hormone gherlin -- which is produced primarily in the part of the stomach that is removed. In my research I came across this forum and really learned a lot about the realities of the procedure. I am at the beginning of my weight loss journey but I am very happy with my choice.

Best of luck to you in your decision.

I didn't want the band because I didn't want a plastic gizmo floating around in my belly and there is a problem with erosion and slippage quite commonly too. I didn't want a bypass because of the malabsorbtion issues with it.

The sleeve IS permanent and a common fear is that you will miss food so much and not be able to eat it because your stomach is so small. Well after healing and losing weight you hardly miss the food, in fact I enjoy the TASTE of food MUCH more and get PLENTY to eat. I am always satisfied. The sleeve WILL stretch just as your regular sized stomach did, but no where near the size of the old stomach, it's just impossible to fill it anywhere near the capacity that of the old stomach.

As mentioned above, trust your surgeon if you feel he is qualified, it sounds like to me he is level headed and knows what works.

Good luck no matter what you choose!

thanks so much for your input...i feel so much better talking to people that have been through this...thanks again

thanks so much for you input to helping me make a decision...i like being able to talk to someone who has been through it...