Any thoughts and advice are welcomed. I've done a ton of research on various WLS options, and have heard both success and horror stories for both Band and Sleeve. What made you decide to get the sleeve? Did you start with the Band and revised to sleeve? If so, why?

I know that both take work and a lifestyle change - I just want some honest unbiased opinions on why you think one is better than the other.

As someone who had the sleeve, I love it and would highly recommend it, and would say "hell no" to the band. That being said, no one surgery is for everyone, it's a very personal decision based on being informed and just plain personal preference. Good luck on your decision!

-Kendra

I agree that every procedure is not right for everyone... Have you talked to you Doctor about it? When I had my first consult with my Doc I thought I wanted the band and wanted to discuss with him (I'd never heard of the sleeve) but he was really against the band for me and said I was a great candidate for the sleeve, I'm 3 weeks post op today and feel great... I think you should talk to your doctor and maybe he/she will be able to help you to make a more informed decision for your body...

I would go to the forum pages and look at the band to sleeve revisions stories...

Yep... Definitely read the band to sleeve revision posts. Look at my name.. Enough said probably

I got the sleeve because I was uncomfortable with the malabsorption and creation of a pouch with gastric bypass. I knew right away I would never want the band because I didn't like the idea of a foreign object in my body. There's possible erosion, the band disconnecting and not even working, and you need fills and finding that perfect balance where the restriction doesn't make you vomit or make the food pass right through.

The plus side to the band is that it is not permanent. However, once it's removed can you keep the weight off?

VSG is permanent! There is no getting your stomach back. This is for life. You have to weight the risks that there are complications with this surgery, as is with any weight loss surgery.

Great comments, thanks. No single WLS is for everyone, and there are as many positives on the Band side. I'm doing the research, and will definitely check out the revision parts.

I was going to have the band but when I thought about all of the follow up and band adjustments I decided on the sleeve. I have had great success with the sleeve 110 pounds at 4 months and went below my goal weight by 10 pounds I would have to have waited about 6-8 weeks before the band would be filled the first time following surgery I have seen and heard of many patients going back to have the band to sleeve revision so why not just do it in one shot instead of 2 surgeries.

If the band does work out safely for you the peep cans are a very expensive hassle. In our area it's $300+ each time and the dr says to really make your band work to it's potential you need to do maintenance every few months.. WTH.?! That's crazy!

Have you gone n the lapband forum and check out the complication rate compared to sleeve? I think you'd be astonished... And fearful.

James, good point...I'm leaning more and more to changing my surgery to Sleeve.

Ms Anti, I hear you. I haven't even asked about the fills, I had just assumed they were included. Also, I travel a lot for business, so being around/available for the fills might not work.

I know any WLS is a big deal, but NOBODY regrets going from Band to Sleeve? No disrespect to anyone, but you are commenting here because you did have band problems. I'm just trying to balance out the positive reviews I hear from some bandsters, with the 'so-far-100%' positives of those who did the revision.

Thank you so kindly for the comments/advice/suggestions -- I REALLY need 'em, so keep them coming!

Well I have a band. I am here because I'm hoping to be approved for a sleeve revision. I'm not the typical band horror story (I.e. erosion, slips, reflux, etc). I was banded 09/2008 and still haven't reached any type of consistency. I can eat a meal today and it is fine...Tomorrow I can go for leftovers and not be able to keep any of it down...SAME MEAL. My story is only my story. Plenty of people have done well with the band...just not my case. I'm not in the convincing business, but if it helps...regardless if my insurance approves a revision to sleeve, I'm definitely getting this band removed. It gets annoying in social settings having to excuse yourself. I'm still noticeably overweight and some people that don't know I even have a band have rumored that I have an eating disorder. Now that is kinda funny, but not really. My reason for getting a band vs. bypass (didn't know too much about the sleeve when I was in the market for wls) was the fact that my body would remain as close to it's natural state as possible. Now for my 20/20 hind sight...I just don't think the band was a good idea. AND my health is still at risk... But again...that is my PERSONAL opinion. Another thing to consider...that I didn't...is life evolves. I never knew I'd keep getting promoted and my job has moved me 3 times since 09/2008. Some surgeons won't accept patients from out of town. I've been with my job 12 yrs, but another thing some may want to consider is if you switch insurance companies. Some companies won't cover band fills from a surgery they didn't authorize. None of that has been a problem for me, but I'm 31. It is very rare for most people my age ( well in these days, any age)to have the same job and insurance for 12 yrs. I'm not trying to come across high and mighty nor as a know it all. You asked. When I reach out for opinions I don't like people to hold back. I was just trying to throw some things out there for you to consider. Or....you could be a total band success and negate everything I've said...lol Good luck

I am in total agreement .. I have had a band since 2010 and it had been a roller coaster ... I am stalled with weight loss no matter what I do or do not put in my mouth... My husband after two years knows the "stuck" signs ie... Eyes watering, stretching, not talking... And it gets so old excusing yourself multiple times during the same meal..... (Sorry about the rant)

At my last appointment I told my doc I hated my band and that he would think I was crazy cause I talked to it lol.... My conversation usually consists of "oh your not gonna let me eat this today even though I had the same thing yesterday ....

He told me I needed a break from my band and Unfilled me 1.5 cc's. I was beginning g to have some probs too.

we talked and I cried And I told him that I felt like a failure ....

He's a great surg and wonderful doc, and he said I think it's time we move on to something different and suggested sleeve..

If the band does work out safely for you the peep cans are a very expensive hassle.

WTH? Thanks to great technology and auto-correct!?! "Peeps cans"? I can't even remember what it was supposed to be, but I'm assuming something along the line of "fill maintenance are a very expensive hassle"

Peep cans?!?? Hahahahahaha :-D

I had a revision six weeks ago and am finally content.

Life with a band for me was hell

Constant pain, for the first four months I survived on lolipops, Gatorade and black coffee. Nothing else would go down.

I regretted my decision maybe a year after I had it fitted when I went for a fill and ended up in emergency unable to breathe

I think, mentally that topped the cake for me, I never saw my surgeon until six years later (big time gap due to circumstances) to have all the fluid removed, this even took two goes, from a surgeon who had supposedly trained in Belgium and Switzerland, who told me that worldwide, over 90% of surgeons are removing the bands they have placed in the past.

I lost thirty kilo in that first six months and then slowly put it all and more back on.

It is so easy to cheat yourself with a band, not good enough for me.

I have to say that I didn't experience slippage or erosion, just a huge mental block and constant pain for years

Had I been informed at the time that complications like mine were common I probably would have had a bypass, but we can all say things like that in hindsight can't we

Now I don't have pain, I am a fairly slow loser compared to a lot of others, but am a whole different person, having the sleeve has changed my thought pattern permanently.

As others are saying, see your Dr and ask questions and do research, well I did back then and nothing prepared me for it

So, you've asked our opinions, mine is, forget the band, they are bad news, go the sleeve.

Another huge pro for the sleeve is that most people lose their hunger. It usually does come back after a while but for the first year it makes it so much easier! :-)

Outlaw.. Check out my "my story" in my profile and it will help explain my name and answer a few questions you may have. I could type until I'm 100 and still never find a good reason to get the lapband