Ok so I was looking into having LAP band done. I went to my doctor, got insurance approval and had my first consult with surgeon. She said I have no red flags for my health so any option has the potential to work for me. She did say that since I have binge eating disorder that she might lean more toward the sleeve for me since you can technically eat "around" the band and you can't do that with the sleeve.

SO my question is what made you choose the sleeve?

Did you consider the band? and why didn't you do that?

How happy are you with the sleeve?

What problems, issues, etc have you had with the sleeve?

Do you regret getting the sleeve even a tiny bit?

I chose the sleeve because It is less invasive then bypass. I did consider the band but with that there are frequent doctors visits after ward, possibility of your body rejecting the band because it is a foreign object being put into your body. The band can also slip and as you said you can eat "around" it. I'm one week out and I am more then happy with my sleeve. On day 5 i was already 10 lbs down and around day 4, for me, I was feeling so so so much better. The only problem I had with it was the gas thing, but that went away with walking and time (gone by day 4 for me). NO REGRETS. For me, it was the BEST DECISION EVER. I can't speak for anyone else.

I like you was first going to get the lap band done. After a lot of research and talking with people with both the band and sleeve i choose the sleeve. One of my main reasons was insurance. I am afarid that how ofter insurance changes that at some point my insurance may not cover the fills and than i would be back to square one. Where the sleeve i would be able to work with. Also i have heard of many people who had the lap band to start with and 2 years down the line ended up swithcing to the sleeve. For me i want to do this surgery once and start living my life and not look back.

Something that steered me to the sleeve was reading about future complications such as slippage and erosion. That along will fills seemed too high maintenance for ME.

Some people opt for the band because it's reversible. I chose the sleeve because of its permenace. I've been batting my weight over 20 years. I'm ready for a permanent solution.

I can't give you any veteran advice because I was just sleeved this morning! I'm in my room now with IV fluids & pain medicine. The only real pain I have felt is the gas pain you will read about. The only pain related to my incisions just feels like I did 1,000 sit ups!

Best of luck making your decision. There are many effective choices . Just do your research and compare the pros and cons. In the end one choice will rise to the top as the procedure for you!

Truth be told you can "eat around" ANY WLS. If there is sufficient "will" there is a WAY. Constant nibbling / snacking / grazing and you will fail to lose or even gain back weight lost. Any WLS is only a tool to help eliminate hunger and assist in losing weight. It's totally up to you to make it work and keep it working.

I briefly considered the band and rejected it because of issues mentioned above, slippage, erosion and filling / unfilling. The LARGEST reason is the fact that a band is NOT a permanent solution it WILL have to be removed at some point or another, be it 5 years or 20 years down the road.