Lap Band to Sleeve or Bypass?

[laners777 145]

I unfilled my band 3 weeks ago due to over a year of vomiting daily. The next step is getting a revision, just waiting for approval from the insurance company. I have been doing hours of research every night to determine revision to gastric sleeve or a bypass surgery. I want the sleeve because I am worried about malabsorption and anemia, which runs in my family without surgery. I also don't want to get rerouted. Comments from trusted friends/family say that they believe the bypass would be better. Their reasoning is the sleeve is comparible to the lap band, which I was unsuccessful at losing all my weight. I lost about 45lbs in 6 months and got pregnant. A healthy baby later, I just maintained weight, although I needed to lose 100lbs more. Then the vomitting started and I went up 20lbs which leads to now....I can't live that way anymore but don't want to be without anything because I will only gain more and be more miserable.

Please anyone who can give advice on what they found was better about the revision to a sleeve vs bypass....and those who went from a band to sleeve, give me some success stories about it because as a lot of people on this site, I'm not wimpy, afraid of the surgery or scared to put in the work....I am TERRIFIED of failing to lose the weight after going through surgery again. I have children to raise, love the thought of being healthy/thin and am finally ready (at least in my mind) to give up food as my coping mechanism for life! Thanks to anyone who has some constructive and hopeful comments.

[laners777 145]

After reading my post, I did not mean to suggest that people on this site were wimpy or afraid...I meant that I have read people are scared of not losing weight after surgery. Just wanted to make that clear...I have wanted to post many times and just got the courage to try and I admire everyone who posts on this site and encourage others to be successful. I need help so thought I could get it from this site. Thanks.

[ladya345 10]

After reading my post' date=' I did not mean to suggest that people on this site were wimpy or afraid...I meant that I have read people are scared of not losing weight after surgery. Just wanted to make that clear...I have wanted to post many times and just got the courage to try and I admire everyone who posts on this site and encourage others to be successful. I need help so thought I could get it from this site. Thanks.[/quote']

I am 6 weeks post op and was band to sleeve revision. The sleeve was what i originally wanted 3 yrs ago but it was too new for my insurance to cover it. The sleeve was my choice over the full bypass due to the mal nutrition possibilities. I know many people who have issues because of it. From what i have researched, its not that big of a difference long term in weight loss between the two procedures. I will b honest and tell u that the weight does not seem to b coming off as fast as i would like it too, but it is coming off. I pre opp was 230. Surgery day 220 and today 205. From what ive read on this website, it is common for alot of people to b loosing at about the same rate as me, so im not discouraged at all. Especially because even when i followed weight watchers and had the band this is around the weight that my body seems to try and hold on to the excess fat for as long as possible (it also happens at 190). For me it was an easy decision to choose the sleeve because i know i was already putting my body through a drastic change and my thought was to do the one that would have less strain long term on me, even if it means i loose a lil slower and a few lbs less. My goal was to b as healthy as possible when im done with my weight loss journey and for me the sleeve was a better option. Not to discredit anybody elses choice or journey, this was just for me!! Also it is to my understanding that long term its very hard to stretch the sleeve because as opposed to the bypass, the part of the stomach that stretches easy is removed. Some of the people who i know that had the bypass can eat practically as much as before their surgery and have gained alot of it back. I think inpart due to stretching their pouch! Either way u choose it is just remember they are both just a tool to help u succeed. Good luck!!

[laners777 145]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I want the sleeve and you gave new information I had not heard before, that the part of the stomach that stretches is taken away and it is difficult to stretch the sleeve. Again, thank you for answering my plea for help. I wish you much success in your journey to healthy living.

[No game 14,436]

Hi,

There is an whole sub- forum here called

"Band to sleeve revisions " there is a lot of info there.

Good luck to you!

[laners777 145]

I didn't realize it existed, so on to that forum I go. Thanks.