I am scheduled to start pre-op next week for a 9/27 surgery date. I have a very supported wife who has been with me through my weight struggled for almost 30 years. I was all set to be banded but I am now thinking about the sleeve. I have been told I am a good candidate for both. I know four banders, three with complications and one with none, all who have lost a significant amount of weight but did it in their 40's. I want to be done with my lifelong struggles with weight issue. I know either path has challenges and takes hard work. I want to lose without the stuck feeling and other complications.

Can a few of you tell me what tipped the scales for you for one procedure versus the other? I really need to break through this, because I am determined to take control of the rest of my life.

My surgeon is near giving up on the band completely due to the high complication rates. He does nearly (I'm told) as many band to sleeve revisions as he does bands alone.

My doc dislikes the band as well. I'd imagine more surgeons will go the route of phasing them out eventually.

I never considered the band after watching a family member and her complications with one. Just not worth the headache.

Hi,

I just had my band removed last week and got the sleeve. I soooooo wish I had this option 5 years ago when I did the band! I was so ready to get that band out of me.

Go with your feelings and good luck!

Cheers, Dottie

I know I am coming to this thread late, but I had the lapband for 10 years and I can just say, it is harder to live with then the sleeve. I never had reflux until I was banded, but went through hell with the band when I had any fill at all. When I had to have all the Fluid removed, I regained the lost weight.

I used to think that the band was less drastic then other choices, but i am not so sure.

i saw pictures taken of my stomach right before they removed the band. It was completely encased in scar tissue - you couldn't actually see the band. My boy apparently thought it was pretty invasive.

I was going to get the band but after much reading called and told my doctor I wanted to be sleeved instead. I agree with others...the band is not totally reversible due to the damage it leaves behind. I also didnt like the idea of having this thing inside of me for life...Who knows if i will always have a job or insurance???? I would hate to think of an emergency coming up with the band and me not having insurance. With the sleeve, I am done.....no maintenance

Thank God I was talked out of the sleeve by my surgeon. I was sleeved (at age 58) 11 months ago and just reached my goal weight today!!!!! Good luck to all of you.

I am now jumping though some more hoops for Aetna so I can be approved this time around. I was denied two weeks ago. I initially asked for approval for the band, but after feedback from the great people on this forum and more research, I hope to get approved for the sleeve this time around.

Go with the sleeve! You wont regret it.i have heard of alot if people getting band to sleeve revisions,so just start with the better choice

My surgeon told me he is taking out more bands then putting in. I'm convinced sleeve was right for me. I didnt want to deal with fills and risk of infection, slips.

Go with the sleeve! The more research you do you will find the sleeve is the best long term solution.

Thank you all for your respective posts and support. I am no longer conflicted and will get the sleeve once I am approved by Aetna.

Great news buplee! Keep us posted and hope the approval process isn't too painful; I am so grateful I didn't have to go through that; I understand the need for it, but it sounds so bureaucratic and painful and long. So hang in there!

QofC

Great news buplee! Keep us posted and hope the approval process isn't too painful; I am so grateful I didn't have to go through that; I understand the need for it' date=' but it sounds so bureaucratic and painful and long. So hang in there!

QofC[/quote']

Thank you. I was supposed to have surgery on 9/27, but Aetna declined me and made me jump through some more hoops. I have my last nutritionist appointment today and hope to get approved and have surgery later this month or in November. Keep your fingers crossed that I get approved by Aetna very soon.

I am writing this at 3 am on the morning. I got another surgery date of 10/23 pending final approval from Aetna. I fell down the stairs in my house three times this week including one down the entire stairway from second level of my house. I found out during a MRI after an trip to the emergency room that I had a severely herniated disc pressing into my sciatic nerve causing weakness and numbness. I am scheduled for spinal surgery today at 12 or 1 pm today, but hoping this does not delay the sleeve, but will help due to weight complication. Has anyone had an unexpected illness or surgery but still got sleeved in the same month? I am hoping to get both out of the way this month. Keep me in mind this afternoon and I will check in when I am able given I will be morphine or another powerful painkiller.

Best wishes to my fellow pre- and post- op sleevers.

I am writing this at 3 am on the morning. I got another surgery date of 10/23 pending final approval from Aetna. I fell down the stairs in my house three times this week including one down the entire stairway from second level of my house. I found out during a MRI after an trip to the emergency room that I had a severely herniated disc pressing into my sciatic nerve causing weakness and numbness. I am scheduled for spinal surgery today at 12 or 1 pm today' date=' but hoping this does not delay the sleeve, but will help due to weight complication. Has anyone had an unexpected illness or surgery but still got sleeved in the same month? I am hoping to get both out of the way this month. Keep me in mind this afternoon and I will check in when I am able given I will be morphine or another powerful painkiller.

Best wishes to my fellow pre- and post- op sleevers.[/quote']

I'm sending healing prayers your way today! Don't worry about your sleeve surgery. Just focus on getting through today and healing from this trauma first. I pulled a groin muscle Laredo August-out of work 3 weeks-I couldn't get up/down or lift leg to climb stairs! I was so worried about postponing my 10/11/12 surgery date. I called my surgeon, leaving detailed messages about my condition in case I had to postpone. Dr. never called back. I decided to wait and see. Returned to work 2 weeks before surgery after using up all my sick time! Was still sore and a little limited in movement, but had my VSG last Thurs. I'm glad I had it, but moving my body after surgery was very difficult. Nurses don't really help you get in and out of bed-you're on your own. Ouch!! So, my advice is to make sure you are strong enough to be able to reposition yourself in bed, get in and out of bed without assistance, and be able to walk to get gas out. Good luck!

Thank you very my Holly,

It is the support my family my vst forum friends that is helping through these times. I am still very weak, but getting better each day. I still have a long road ahead, but I was told this would prevent from being sleeved. Thanks you and I can't wait until my really day.