change of heart

[ilmkids 1]

I am 223 right now I don't want to be less then 140

[Mini_Me_23 20]

I'm also 223 pounds and was considering the band for almost a year then one day my older sister said that I should probably look into getting the sleeve because the risk of complications are a lot less compared with the band. I have my first consult in feb and I want the sleeve.

[JennyBeth 127]

I am also 220 and I'd like to reach 140 and I am getting the sleeve. My surgeon recommends the sleeve if you want to achieve that big of a loss. 80 pounds is a lot of weight. You could only lose 40 pounds with the band and there are so many complications. My surgeon also said if you have 10 people and gave them all the band, 5 would do well and 5 would fail. That's a high failure rate to me. Whereas the sleeve 7 would succeed and 3 would fail. Also if you have attended a seminar yet you will have a large number of people who are in attendance that were former band patients. Obviously it's your decision to make, but for your sake please do your research! Good luck to you!

[SylviaMom 83]

I had the band for close to ten years. What they didn't tell me at the outset, which I wish I knew, was that the band is temporary. Meaning, it is intended to someday be removed. That's another abdominal surgery and constant expensive maintenance. Also, for what its worth, the band drove me towards slider foods instead of healthier Proteins and veggies. By the time I finally gave up on my band (I.e. the modest weight loss of 20 lbs wasn't worth all the constant vomiting and discomfort) I discovered my band had badly eroded. I obviously was not successful with the band, and I hope you are. But, I definitely would not have the band knowing what I know now. I am a month into a sleeve revision and have no regrets with the sleeve thus far. Whatever you chose, best of luck but the road with the band was unpleasant for me and every other bandster/former bandster I know. Hopefully, it will be better fr you. If you want to ask me questions offline, don't hesitate. I don't want to scare you but share with you my failure in the hope that you have a better experience then I did.

[ebonisekim 1,713]

I was going for the band when I first thought about wls but my surgeon flat out said no I don't recommend it and his office and many of his doctor friend are doing away w it you should rethink to having the band go for the gold cause u kno it's a better chance if it working you going through surgery make it count if you gone but your self at risk ..but I will say good luck cus I want you to succeed in what ever choice u make

[BrokeMyHalo 107]

Make sure you have 25k in a savings account to get the damn thing out and get sleeved.

Band works for some, not most. And the some really struggle. It's sad.

[newlife2014 10]

Some insurances like mine will take the band out and do gastric or sleeve

[SoCalDixieGal 172]

I currently have the band, and have had it for five years. I didn't have any of the slippage issues folks have had and overall not many severe complications. But if you've got a moment, here's my story.

Self pay at 252. Height 5'8" and wanted to get down to probably 160 at the time. The initial 4 - 5 months is where I lost my initial 20 - 30 lbs. Most of that was in the recovery period. Over the next 2 years, I lost a total of 50 lbs so at the 3-year out period I was right about 200. And, it was work on my part.

I never got good restriction with the band in that small amounts of food didn't fill me up. I got acid reflux. I got stuck frequently despite eating very small bites and chewing, chewing and chewing. Yeah, getting up from a business dinner to go throw up is so professional. And, even if I was stuck I was still hungry.

I'd go back to get fills and unfills probably every 6 months. Fill because I couldn't get restriction. Unfill because if I did get some restriction I'd get horrible reflux and the things I'm supposed to eat (lean meats, etc) I couldn't but junk food - no problem. Yeah, two bites into a meal and bam - stuck and throwing up. Not able to eat afterwards and being HUNGRY.

The band never eliminated hunger. It does for some, but didn't do so for me. My Dr told me to eat only 1/2 cup of food and then stop. Not because I was full, but to see if I wasn't hungry any more. What? That meant, that I was controlling my food intake with no assistance from the band?

I've since regained 30 lbs. My experience with the band has been that basically I'm doing all the work. It might help a little but not much. I basically wasted a LOT of money. I know that no matter what WLS you have you and only you control what you put into your mouth. Learned that! But, I want a tool that will help me. The band wasn't that tool.

I honestly don't think the band will be on the market that much longer. My doctor was a HUGE proponent of the band but these days, not so much. If you go down that path, good luck. I just wish I knew then what I've learned since. For me, this "tool" didn't work.

[SylviaMom 83]

Just another thought: since this is a sleeve forum, we are obviously biased. Be sure to chat with some bandsters too, eSpecially bandsters who are more than 5 years out.

[ashelaine 383]

You should look on obesityhelp at the band forum.

[Rycherchick 147]

I know 2 eople who got the band and one lost 30 lbs and the other prob 40. The girl who lost only 30 lbs started eating ice cream and all knds of things and never went back to fills so I guess her stomach stretched and the band slipped IDK. I originally looked into the band becaise its less invasive but knowingmyself I decided on the sleeve, after seeing Lisa Lampanelli loose so much weight in so little time.

Only you an deide which one is right for you. My dang keybrd is skipping letters again.

[Geminidrive 389]

If you feel that's the right choice for you, go for it! You have to be comfortable and if you think this is best solution for you, go for it.

Hmmm......very Interesting responses. Wow!!

[ilmkids 1]

If you feel that's the right choice for you' date=' go for it! You have to be comfortable and if you think this is best solution for you, go for it.

Hmmm......very Interesting responses. Wow!!

[/quote']

I am going to take your advice thanks