I have a friend who went in today for a fill and was told "lap band" was still the way to go. That after two years or so with the sleeve you would gain all your weight back. Comments please.

This is a great thread and thanks to everyone for sharing. FWIW, my doc told me that I should be in good shape since I've never been a snacker or an all-day grazer, I just eat really large meals. I was of the same thought that while it would be work, if I'm getting my 80 grams of protein a day over 3 meals while only being able to consume 8 ounces that it would be somewhat difficult to get too many calories. My doc was telling me that the people he has seen regain weight basically were self-destructive in nature. But this thread has definitely help remind me that first and foremost it's a huge AID in getting healthy.

Neither the band nor the sleeve cause 'malabsorption' as a means to lose weight (like the bypass), so that means every bit of food we eat has the potential to help us lose weight or cause us to gain it. The same types of fatty, sugary or otherwise high calorie foods slide down a sleeve and pass through a band, so I can't see how there's any difference there.

The positive difference for the sleeve (IMO) is the kick start we get with grehlin producing cells in the stomach fundus being removed... I believe it doesn't go on forever (the human body has an amazing ability to adapt), but boy is it helpful right now.

What worried me about the band is the introduction of a foreign object, the need for follow ups and the stories I'd heard of slips and erosions. For me the sleeve seems far simpler after an initially bigger surgery and longer recovery period. I'm currently watching a friend who chose the band a few weeks before me lose weight at a rate equivalent to or better than mine, but experience a lot of discomfort during and between meals. I can't see how she can go on like this indefinately. I have very few issues even worth commenting on, am completely pain free, don't fear future breakdown of my stomach and have no regrets at all about my choice.

Everything I've read on this site since a few weeks before my surgery has made me feel my conclusions were right.

I'm almost a year post op & I still cannot eat a lot. I'm extremely grateful that I can't & I love my sleeve!!!

This was told to your friend by someone who makes a lot of money from maintaining lapbands?

This was my very first thought too.

I have a friend who went in today for a fill and was told "lap band" was still the way to go. That after two years or so with the sleeve you would gain all your weight back. Comments please.

I'm three years out! Have NOT regained all weight. Lost 100. Still have 92 off and working on other 8 now! You def have to watch what you eat

I'm confused when people talk about gaining weight back after being sleeved. How can you gain weight when you can only physically eat 1/2 cup or less of food at a meal? Do some eat only high calorie foods and eat every hour or so? I've only been sleeved 3 weeks, but it seems to me that you'd have to work hard to gain all your weight back ( or even part of it). Am I being naive?

I really struggle with this too, but it can and does happen. There was a lady at a support group last month who'd gained half her weight back, 70 pounds. You'll eventually eat more, which is why it's important NOW, during the honeymoon period, to make life long, life style changes. If you eat a little of this and a little of that, stuff you should not.....you can still lose, albeit as a slower pace.....but like you said, you can eat less than a half cup.

A year from now, eighteen months, 2 or three years you can eat more. I am never suppose to eat more than a cup of food at one meal and I can't even eat a cup, but I can eat 3/4 or 2/3's, depending on what it is. If I ate high calorie foods and skimped on Protein, I guarantee you, I'd gain weight back. All of it? Who knows, I'm not going to risk it. I do not feel deprived, I eat anything I want, including a little ice cream.....but not every day and certainly not if I've gone up a couple of pounds. I weigh every day.....and if I need to, I cut my calories by 100 or 200 and I'll drop the couple extra pounds. There are those who avoid weighing, don't log their food, don't weigh and/or measure, so two years out, when they can eat as much as I'm eating now. If you're grazing on chips and Twinkies and high caloric nuts (thrown in because they have protein), then they are going to gain. This is NO different than prior to surgery, the difference is, we have a tool that makes it easier to resist and that is how we maintain. It does not just happen.

I'm hoping to be sleeved in August, but my surgeon told me he believed lap bands will be on there way out within the next 5 years.

I'm hoping to be sleeved in August, but my surgeon told me he believed lap bands will be on there way out within the next 5 years.

From what I understand there are some doctor's here in Dallas that don't even offer them any longer

I talked a couple people out of bands in the last months!

This is a great reminder of why I am so grateful to have found this group.....before reading threads here, I really thought I wanted the lap band and I am happy to have found all the information here to steer me down the right path!

From what I understand there are some doctor's here in Dallas that don't even offer them any longer

Yes Ntvtxn, sounds like that's whats coming down the like across the country due to a lot of complications and lower rates of success. I do personally know someone that was successful with lap band, but there must be reasons it is becoming a less popular choice.

My doctor told me it is possible to gain lbs back! He says if you start eating a lot then you will slowly stretch your stomach again. This scares me because I Dont get hungry but I do have "mental hunger."

I was banded 3 years ago and have since had it removed and sleeved due to many complications with the adjustments. I did not lose ANY weight with the band. In fact I gained 10kg as my body went into starvation mode. I was so unhappy.

When I discussed the option of the sleeve with my surgeon, he admitted to me that he jumped on the lap band band wagon and if I actually walked in now (pre any WLS) that he would suggest the sleeve. I was appreciative of his honesty.

From personal experience I cannot bang on about the sleeve enough. I can actually eat and feel satisfied.

If your surgeon is open to other surgeries then maybe you need to question why and educate yourself before meeting with them?!?!

I'm confused when people talk about gaining weight back after being sleeved. How can you gain weight when you can only physically eat 1/2 cup or less of food at a meal? Do some eat only high calorie foods and eat every hour or so? I've only been sleeved 3 weeks, but it seems to me that you'd have to work hard to gain all your weight back ( or even part of it). Am I being naive?

Yes in time you will be able to eat a lot more(for me anyway). It can be challenging sticking to a healthy eating plan. Life gets in the way and your favorite foods might also. I do agree though that you would have to eat continually for a long time to gain all of your weight back. You always have to be conscious of your weight and what you are eating.