I had a consult with a surgeon and he's trying to talk me into the band. Given my bmi is only 36, He thinks I will loose a great amount of weight and become malnourished. I believe there are other reason for his push on the band. Like follow ups and the fills, means more $$. I over heard him through the wall, to the room next to mine, trying to push the band on another patient. Should I give the band a try first then have revision later if it fails?? So stressed over this!

If you want a sleeve and the doc is pushing a band, get another opinion.

Good luck...

I'd be looking for another surgeon, to be honest. If you overheard him trying to talk someone else into the band, he may be doing advertising for the lapband makers. because most drs don't recommend the band anymore. My dr still does them if someone insists, but doesn't recommend them anymore. Too many complications.

If you get the band first, you'll go thru many years of maintenance, suffer possible complications, and may even cause damage making you unable to even be sleeved. Just to get to the elusive "sweet spot" can take many months.

If I knew then what I know now, I would've skipped the band and gone straight to the sleeve. Hindsight is always 20/20

Well I contacted the other doctors office and they do not offer the sleeve for weight loss.

Well I contacted the other doctors office and they do not offer the sleeve for weight loss.

none of the other doctor's offer the sleeve? The docs on your approved list of physicians? That sounds really weird. I would stick to the sleeve, personally. I've had friends where the band slipped and caused them lots of pain and not just in the stomach area. She was having intense back pain. I had another friend who got the band but never got it filled because of time.....

I wish you all the luck!

I had a band to sleeve revision. Do not get the band. Unless you really want to have another surgery soon. I have spoken to hundreds of bandsters who are not happy.

I was at goal when I had my revision, but needed my band out. I haven't become malnourished. Actually I am doing sooooo much better since I can eat proper foods without throwing up.

Keep looking for another surgeon.

I too initially opted for the band as I'm considered lightweight BMI 37 have a few colleagues that have dropped huge numbers on the band and done well then I did more research and read about all the negatives the slippage of the band, the eroding of the band, the cost of the fills the wait time from surgery to first fill, the vomiting, the restrictions etc I changed my mind to the sleeve. It's a personal decision scary I know research research and good luck to you sister :-)

none of the other doctor's offer the sleeve? The docs on your approved list of physicians? That sounds really weird. I would stick to the sleeve' date=' personally. I've had friends where the band slipped and caused them lots of pain and not just in the stomach area. She was having intense back pain. I had another friend who got the band but never got it filled because of time.....

I wish you all the luck![/quote']

Yes I live in a small rural area. Thanks!

Shame on this surgeon. I can assure you the band I not the way to go. Check my story in my profile. If this surgeon pushes the band it means he's not experienced enough to perform your sleeve. GO ELSE WHERE! He's too new to the procedure and him pushing the band says it all.

live in a small rural area.!

beauty

now i understand why your doc is pushing the lapband!!!

he isn't familiar with the sleeve since you live in a "hic" town

sound like you gotta go out of your comfort zone (city) and find a dr that has done many sleeves

please don't compromise yourself

it might be a little harder traveling somewhere but its worth it!!!!

hope you find a new doc sooner than later

make sure who ever you find - to check his references/record

good luck

kathy

I agree. Your dr is pushing the band for his own reasons and not because it's the best WLS for you. Many people have gone miles just to to find the perfect dr that fits with their needs and it looks like you should also.

Yes ma'am Ms. Kathy, I'm just an old southern girl. Thanks for reply.

better to travel once for a sleeve than two or three times to get it revised.

You just don't know how bad life with the band is.

Even people who have good weight loss success suffer. I know this to be true; I was banded for 10 years and talked to many many many bandsters over the years. Vomiting - if not daily then certainly frequently is common. Pain when eating certain foods is common. Being hungry, yet still in pain from food is common. It is a nightmare.

I would fly to Mexico and have the sleeve done (ie if insurance didn't pay) before I would consider the lapband - even if it were free.

I implore anyone reading this - DON'T GET THE LAPBAND

I was just converted from the band..it hurts..I had hernia from the band. More then I want to explain ...do things once..but don't do the band! Eep!

Please go to another doctor! There has to be someone you can go too!!