HI people,

Im beginning in the process to the wls...but Im so confused about what to do, lap band or sleeve? Any advise, experience, info for me? Thanks!

I definately recommend the sleeve! I'm a RN too, and have seen patients not lose weight with the band. I'd say 1/4 of the people on this forum already had the band and it failed or slipped and switched to the sleeve. It was the best thing I have ever done! I'm 20 months post op and so happy! Btw welcome to the forum!

I definately recommend the sleeve! I'm a RN too' date=' and have seen patients not lose weight with the band. I'd say 1/4 of the people on this forum already had the band and it failed or slipped and switched to the sleeve. It was the best thing I have ever done! I'm 20 months post op and so happy! Btw welcome to the forum![/quote']

Thank you so much to reply me and for the info... I noticed that many people with failures bands here.....my concern s about the sleeve is a possible leaks or stretch stomach again.....!

Thank you so much to reply me and for the info... I noticed that many people with failures bands here.....my concern s about the sleeve is a possible leaks or stretch stomach again.....!

I think the leak risk is reduced if you follow your post op guidelines, although sometimes it just happens. My surgeon says less than a half a percent (0.5%) of his patients end up with a leak. And stomach stretching.... In my opinion if you also follow the guidelines and don't consistently over eat your restriction should stay good. I am 20 months out and still have good restriction!

Thank you so much to reply me and for the info... I noticed that many people with failures bands here.....my concern s about the sleeve is a possible leaks or stretch stomach again.....!

One of the things about the sleeve is that most or all of the stretchy part of the stomach is removed - there will be SOME changes in capacity as it heals and the swelling goes down, but everything I've heard is that you will retain sufficient restriction that you will be satisfied physically with very small meals.

Just be aware that it is very possible to cheat your way past the restriction if you don't stay attentive to what you're eating. Some foods are classified as "slider foods" - they go through your system very quickly so the full sensation either isn't triggered at all or your stomach empties too quickly and you're hungry again. You could still drink a lot of empty calories, too. The same thing is true of the band, though.

I am a band to sleeve revision. I was happy with my band for a long time and lost a good amount of weight. Then it malfunctioned after my pregnancy and never worked again. I can tell you that in my experience so far (6 years banded and now 11 weeks post sleeve) that it is much easier to eat around the band than the sleeve, and my weight loss is faster (so far at least) even though I have always been a "slow loser". I think personally that the sleeve is a better surgery. The band is safer if you are worried about major complications like leaks. But long term people seem to have more problems with the band and the most recent research I have heard indicates that more than 50% have the band removed by 5 years post op, mostly either due to slip, erosion, or inadequate weight loss.

Of course, these are my opinions based on my experience and what I have heard from other band folks. The band is an attractive idea but doesn't seem to work as well in practice. Good luck to you.