I was banded in 2008 and lost 70+ pounds. After I had skin removed in 2009 they opened the band for me to get nutrients and its never been the same. I gained it back. Looking back I realized I lost because I couldn't eat and would throw up or get stuck. I moved to slider foods and gained and also because I never got a sweet spot. I've been prepping for a revision to the sleeve since spring with therapy, classes, and all my clearance tests. I have my final dr visit 11/1 and am hoping for surgery on 11/28. I'm curious to find out how the two types of WLS are different feeling and how you eat etc. My thinking is that the VGS stomach will make you feel full like a normal stomach but just smaller amounts...where the band is moving food through a small hole and filling a top pouch instead of a full stomach feel. Do you throw up? Do you dump? I've heard someVGS do. I just want some scoop from those who've been there. Thanks!!! This is my first post

I was banded back in 2005...only lost 40 pounds....the first year....eventually regained it plus 20 pounds in 2012, when I decided to revise to the sleeve in June....as of today I am 75 pounds lighter....and counting...

I regret not revising sooner, so so happy!

In answer to your question, I feel that the sleeve does a much more effective job of reducing hunger.

Having said that, realize that not everyone remains hunger free for the long term. Mine started ramping up after about 7 or so months. Somebody came back on these forums a while back and his appetite returned at about 2 years post op and he was regaining so looking to revise to the DS or RNY. I am mentioning this because some people think that post sleeve they will never feel hunger again and that just isn't true for many people. Most people see a disappearance of hunger for awhile and even when it returns it is much less intense then pre-op but you can't completely rely on that alone.

Anyway, sleeve is great compared to the band!

I had my revision on September 10th. The great thing is you actually CAN eat food. You know what I mean chicken, meats, yogurt. All of these foods I had trouble with the band some days I could some days I couldn't. I don't miss that at all. I can actually also swallow pills, I couldn't do that with the band. The great benefit of having the band first is you already know what full is(upper part of chest), you can eat small portions slowly. Even though I am not far out I have not vomited, I know when I am full and stop eating. There are already so many foods that I wasn't eating because of the band that I don't miss any. I have no cravings, no hunger, following the plan to a "T". I love the sleeve and am 110% sure that I did the right thing. No worries.

Thank you all for replying! I just needed to know what I was thinking was on the right track. A lot of my family think I am looking for a quick fix. I'm not. My sister says if I just eat less and exercise then I don't need surgery again and waste my time/money!! I know me and I'm so in a different place now. I'm glad to have reassurance.

I am sorry, but in my book telling a morbidly obese person to just "eat less and exercise more" is like telling a diabetic to make more insulin.

The people out there who have never been more 25 pounds overweight have no idea. I have come to believe that once obesity has you in it's claws your odds of getting out alive without drastic intervention is very very very low. I used to think I was just lame and lacked self control to eat right and exercise. That I was somehow "broken" that I lost 85# (was still well over 200#) on weight watchers and within 5 years had regained 51 of those pounds. I tried every diet, every program, therapy, tried OA I had short term success with some (WW being the best) but I could not seem to really get significant amount of weight off and keep it off. Then, what got scary in the last year or two before my sleeve, I couldn't even lose a small amount of weight, nothing was working.

Well, what I have come to understand, based on info from my surgeon, from articles I have read, and reflecting on my history and so many stories I have read here.... That the body's response to obesity is to crave more food and to restore the weight anytime you do manage to lose a few pounds. Yes, we do have lifestyle choices to make and need to take responsibility for that, but without the surgery, morbidly obese people have very little chance to become normal weight (or anywhere near).

I will be 3 weeks post op with my sleeve tomorrow. My band came out in may in an emergency situation after slipping to the middle of my stomach. It was not the first time it had slipped. I managed to lose 50 pounds with the band, but gained back 17 before deciding to revise.

I have felt better with the sleeve than I ever did with the band, and I have lost the 17 pounds already. I wish I had chosen the sleeve from the beginning.

Thank you everyone! I'm hearing that you all wish you'd done the sleeve first. Makes me feel good about my decision and listening to my gut. I had my last appt today pre-op and found out that my insurance will cover it! I'm planning for 11-28 to be revision day! Bye bye band day!

I'm nervous....

I keep reading about revsion here. I have a lapband and lost 35 punds and have 30 to go. I want VS but wonder if it will work better

How long have you had the band? It's a pretty personal decision on whether you decide it works it works for you or not. You may get a biased opinion here since most of us have converted or are in the process of.

Well I had a band since 2009 and its very finicky, I have 2cc in a 10cc band. I am still hungry and if I get it tighter I wont be able to tolerate proteins.

I keep reading about revsion here. I have a lapband and lost 35 punds and have 30 to go. I want VS but wonder if it will work better

Did you read the comments to this post?

hmmm is it not why i am here posting?

Hi. I had the lap band for almost two years before I had to have it removed through emergency for vomiting in my sleep the beginning of June 2012. I hated that band from day one but it helped me lose alot of weight (I lost 134lbs) the band made me never eat because I would either vomit it all up or couldn't even get water down for a day or two. I use to live on a diet of sunflower seeds, water, popcorn, and slushies because that seemed to be all I could get down. I had gastric sleeve surgery on the 15th of November and I can say it was the BEST THING I have ever done for myself. I have lost 16lbs so far and I can actually drink and eat (though its still puréed). Please don't suffer with the band!!! I am very thankful that I made this change and hope that with the support of everyone here I will be successful!

YURiiMii.....I was sleeved 11/28!! I am 5 days out (or 6... Do I count the day of?). I'm still feeling hunger but I haven't moved to purée or solids yet.

CONGRATS!!!! You know what I felt hunger too but I noticed it was mostly when I was in the kitchen. I tried to stay away as much as I could and it worked a little. Don't worry it gets easier. I am at mushy about to go on soft foods and mushy is ALOT easier than liquids. How do you feel? I hope everything went well with your surgery