Confused!

[Cas714 4]

Hi everyone:

Im new to this site. I had lap band surgury 2/14/2011 and have had nothing but problems. First 6 months lost a good amount of weight, but I was also on phentermine as well. I throw up all the time, always hungry, and can't seem to find my green zone. Im thinking of having a revision to the sleeve, but not sure if the sleeve will be all that great either. I also think I'm 50% to blame since I dont exercise anymore nor do I eat all my Protein. I just can't stand the throwing up or hunger pain when I do eat right. I could really use some advice. Is the sleeve a better choice than the band?

[BenisaMartim4 369]

Well, I haven't had the band, but I have heard a lot of bad stuff about it. I can tell you about my sleeve though. I was sleeved on 2/14/12 and weighed 335. Now, I never get hungry. I have to make myself eat. I can only hold about an ounce of solid food. I can drink liquids pretty normally now. I no longer like sweets. I am down 76# in 3 months. I normally lose between 3-5# a week. I don't know exactly what you need to know, but I would do it again. Yes, I have had a hard time and yes it is a huge adjustment, but I believe it has saved my life.

[Vb148 0]

Before I had my surgery I did about a years worth of research into both the lap band and the sleeve. I also talked to about 4 different doctors, and this is what I can tell you about the differences:

-With the lap bad, there is a foreign object in your body, which is not a good thing if can be avoided. / With the sleeve nothing is forgin.

-With the band, your stomach is still fully in tackt, yet you can't put much it at any time. (that's the hunger pains) / with the sleeve there is only about 15-25% of your stomach left, litterlly no room to be hungry when you eat.

-On the plus side, with the band it is adjustable and it can be removed completely. / With the Sleeve it is permanent, no turning back.

As for the whole vomiting thing, i have learned that it is common in the early stagest after the sleeve. But once you get a feel for how you tolerate foods and become accustomed to the potions and stick to the dietvomitting, is rare.

I have also talked to a lot of people who have gotten the band, for some it saved their lives and they are doing great! And others were going through what you are, and some even had it removed.

In the end, I choose the sleeve. It seemed safer and more practical for my lifestyle. Now I only had my sergery a week ago (5/14/12) so I can't really tell you about the long term from personal experience. With that being said, everything that I have said is second hand. But I figured maybe my research could at least help in some way.

I hope everything goes well! keep us posted on how your doing!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I disagree that vomiting is common with the beginning with the sleeve. I have vomited (small) 2-3 times max in the 5+ months since surgery and each time was due to eating too fast right around month 2 or 3 as I was expanding my food etc. Since then, NOT a problem - it is great!

I think the sleeve is SO much better then that lapband (had it for 10 years!), but you do need to exercise and follow eating guidelines to acheive the best results.

I think you are likely to do much better with the sleeve, but it doesn't change the underlying "rules" - I just think it is so much easier to follow the rules now.

[Pegsinthewoods 8]

I haven't been sleeved yet, but I was banded. I think you are setting yourself up for a similar situation with the sleeve that you have with the band - not a lot of success. IF you are not doing what you should be doing (exercise, Protein, etc) you are not going to be successful long term with ANY WLS. They are just tools to teach us news ways of eating but if you don't change, you'll be back to your old situation eventually. I hope this didn't come across as being mean, I just am struggling with the same situation.

[LadyIvy 159]

Before I had my surgery I did about a years worth of research into both the lap band and the sleeve. I also talked to about 4 different doctors, and this is what I can tell you about the differences:

-With the lap bad, there is a foreign object in your body, which is not a good thing if can be avoided. / With the sleeve nothing is forgin.

-With the band, your stomach is still fully in tackt, yet you can't put much it at any time. (that's the hunger pains) / with the sleeve there is only about 15-25% of your stomach left, litterlly no room to be hungry when you eat.

-On the plus side, with the band it is adjustable and it can be removed completely. / With the Sleeve it is permanent, no turning back.

As for the whole vomiting thing, i have learned that it is common in the early stagest after the sleeve. But once you get a feel for how you tolerate foods and become accustomed to the potions and stick to the dietvomitting, is rare.

I have also talked to a lot of people who have gotten the band, for some it saved their lives and they are doing great! And others were going through what you are, and some even had it removed.

In the end, I choose the sleeve. It seemed safer and more practical for my lifestyle. Now I only had my sergery a week ago (5/14/12) so I can't really tell you about the long term from personal experience. With that being said, everything that I have said is second hand. But I figured maybe my research could at least help in some way.

I hope everything goes well! keep us posted on how your doing!

I have only had 2 vomiting issues and it was when I forgot and drank right after I ate. Even then, it was only a couple of tablespoons of vomit each time. Also, there is a foreign body in you when you get the sleeve. It is the titanium staples that they use. However, the staples themselves are much smaller and much better attached then the band. I hope you make the right choice for you.