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.

Thanks MsAnti -- good stuff. Royal, Mini, Travel, and all, thanks so much. Your words are backing up exactly what my research has been telling me. I'm off the Band schedule for Feb. 1, now looking into scheduling Sleeve. Thank goodness I came here and you all have been so open in sharing your own experiences.

I know your already decided, i just wanted to let you know that my surgeon won't even do the band anymore!!

Same here my surgeon did 2 bands all last year

To many issues with band

Same here my surgeon did 2 bands all last year

To many issues with band

I originally went to my doc in Dec 2011 to learn about the band. He talked to me about options: bypass,the sleeve the band, and some more exotic choices. Walked out thinking the sleeve was the way to go.

Did some more shopping around. Became more convinced the sleeve was right for me.

First, literally each of the three docs I spoke with said they were doing more band reversals than insertions, and then secondly, I read about some of the band horror stories online. I found very few sleeve horror stories, and many (certainly not all) seemed to be self-inflicted. I'm not in any way diminishing the problems for people who have them, and being sleeved for three whole days now, I may get them too, but the overall complication rate seems lower.

If the band works for you, awesome. More power to you and it's all good. Whatever gets the weight off and staying off. But it is a big pain in the ass for a lot of people, on a lot of levels.

I had the band for 10 years. Trust me, nobody banded in2001 still has one issue free. There are always problems eventually. always felt weird about that damn port too.jk

Read the revision board here and on obesity help. It is a failed experiment.

I believe that less then 30% "do well " with the band even in the medium term.

It was a nightmare I wouldnt wish on an enemy. seriously... Talk to banded people who are 2 -5+ years out.... very few are satisfied.

I had the band and it was a nightmare I am getting the sleeve.

I had the band and it was a nightmare I am getting the sleeve.

I honestly never considered the band because it seemed like a temporary solution. I needed something permanent. I kept thinking that people like the fact it was reversible, but I still don't understand why. I could always lose weight but never keep it off. If I got the band, when would I want it removed so I could gain again? Just thoughts I had, good luck with your decision.

Hated the band esp slippage issues had removed got fat again yes fat going for the sleeve using tax return and other sources

I was banded in 2009, lost 90 lbs and all was good for a year and a half. Then I had multiple slips, the last being too serious to fix. I had my band out in July, by January I had gained all but 15 lbs back and was sleeved last Wednesday. I find my story to be pretty typical. Of roughly 25 blogs I follow of folks who were banded around the same time as me....half have converted or had removal about 5 have made it to goal and love their bands.