Until now I have been only researching the LapBand. But recently I've been leaning more towards getting a gastric sleeve. Did anyone else have this same delima? Why did you choose sleeve over the lapband? Any advice is welcome.

Cynthia

I've known people that have done Lapland and gastric bypass. I never considers wls based on what I've know of those two procedures.

Then the sleeve started to get notice, so I researched it all again and was more than excited to consider the sleeve.

For me, I don't want Lapland because I see what my friends have gone through in terms of constant maintanence throughout the years. It's too tight, go back in.. It's too lose, go back in. It slipped! It's a foreign object. It rots the area and can eventually chaff so bad it splits. The other issues I didn't want was there was a lot of throwing up which is due to the food sitting on the top of the banded area. Lots of issues but those are what I personally didn't want to deal with.

The only negative thing I have heard about the sleeve is its not reversible. Well duh! That's easy enough, I mean why would I want to reverse it and gain my weight back and then suffer all over again? It's about a mind set and if it's not reversible then I'd better make it count right?

For me this was an EASY choice!!!! I hope you really educate yourself too so you can find what's right for you long term.

Good luck!!!!

I've researched for three years and spoken to people who have had both as well as gastric bypass.

For me the only negative is that it is not reversible, but seriously, why would anyone go through the whole process only to reverse it? The bypass & lapband are technically reversible, but my doctor is very much against reversing them. (laundry list of reasons)

The best thing to do is research all the types and decide which one fits your needs the best. Your decision has to fit your lifestyle and insurance needs (if not self-pay). Also, needs to be what is best for your body (body type, amount of weight to lose, etc..)

Good luck in your journey. This is a great resource as well as youtube and the blog-o-sphere.

I, too had planned on doing the lapband. But after meeting a co-worker who had the sleeve done, I have definately changed my mind. With the lapband, there is a lot of throwing up and feelings of hunger. 2 of my friends have lapband and this is a complaint w/both of them. Plus, lapband holds 10 cc (2 teaspoons) and that's the max, so you're only gonna lose so much weight. After following these forums, it seems a lot of lapband patients have had it revised to the sleeve as well, esp after long plateaus. Also, I'm an ICU nurse and I've taken care of a few pts that had lapbands that rotted thru their gut and set up peritonitis. There is risk w/everything, but after weighing all the pros and cons, I'm sticking w/the sleeve procedure. Hopefully have it done end of this month. Good luck, sweetheart.