I know this title may seem silly or unimaginable but I am a newbie and still going back and forth between having the Lapband vs the Sleeve. I see all of everyone's amazing success stories with the sleeve And I'm wondering when you get to your healthy goal weight how do you know you won't keep losing? Or better yet..how do you stop losing?? I have always been curvy and def want to keep my curves (just less of them lol). I would never want to be a stick so Im just wondering how some of you are handling this. Do you just increase calories, etc ?

Also would love feed back on recovery and also what made you choose the sleeve vs other wls's.

For me, I started slowing down and having more plateaus and slight drops. My body naturally found it's comfort zone. Sometimes I do have to pay attention to my food to make sure I eat enough. I'm only a year out, so I still forget to eat until I get a "hungry headache" that reminds me to eat.

Basically you just add calories. With my insurance plan (Kaiser) we work with a nutritionist to get the right amount individually. I have not reached my goal yet. However, was informed that will my process.

I choose the sleeve because there was only a 10 % different in pounds lost compared to the bypass. And the sleeve had no rerouting of anything. It is just a smaller tummy.

I had a friend that had the lap band and almost died. Another friend has had the band in for 7 years and in total l o st less than 40% of her wieght. She is getting ready to get the bypass. Her choice because she is a diabetic.

Hope this helps! Best Wishes to you.....

I decided to have VSG due to no rerouting or implanted device that has to be adjusted by sticking a needle in my side every so often. I'm 5 1/2 months out with 98# gone since 4-30-13. This doesn't include 30# lost to qualify for surgery. My weight loss has slowed but not stopped. I'm 173 today and 5'10" so I'm comfortable with my size. I researched for 3 years about the surgery.

I am still pre-op , working through my six month insurance plan but I do know that I want the sleeve. I have tried to learn about the options. Listening to people on the forum has helped a lot.

Although the Bypass is the gold standard, with the most data collected, in my mind the sleeve is the way to go. To me it is more natural, with no rerouting and potentially less complications. My niece is a bariatric surgeon, who has performed about 200 gastric operations and believes strongly that the gastric sleeve is the best option for someone like myself.

Your needs may differ, so I would encourage you to do some research, listen to the forum, your surgeon may have a discussion group or a program that helps you get the answers you need

Hi does anyone know of a great surgeon in NJ. Also how did you finally come to make your decision? I'm still struggling over if I should do the sleeve? My family is against it except for a few that feel I should do what's best for me. And my friends are against it as well but say they will support my decision. I'm just scared I focus on what if something goes wrong. I'm worried about long term later down the road. My mom passed from stomach cancer so I'm always worried if I do this surgery could I get stomach cancer etc... Any and all advice would be appreciated. I thank you all for listening. Good luck on your journeys! =)

Hi does anyone know of a great surgeon in NJ. Also how did you finally come to make your decision? I'm still struggling over if I should do the sleeve? My family is against it except for a few that feel I should do what's best for me. And my friends are against it as well but say they will support my decision. I'm just scared I focus on what if something goes wrong. I'm worried about long term later down the road. My mom passed from stomach cancer so I'm always worried if I do this surgery could I get stomach cancer etc... Any and all advice would be appreciated. I thank you all for listening. Good luck on your journeys! =)

I am in Monmouth County and I had Dr. Earl Noyan. He has a partner Dr. Val Prokrat. They are both very supportive and I don't have a single compliant about Dr. Noyan.

As far as family and friends, YOU have to make the decision for yourself. It is sad and frustrating when those we love can't get behind us, but it is usually because they are afraid. And understandably. It took until my kids were older for my husband to get on board, and my parents were never REALLY on board, but supported me because they knew I had to do something and my sister was very worried but now they are sooooo soooo happy for me and proud of me. And I AM SO PROUD OF ME! I had to do this to be able to LIVE again, so you make the decision you need to and remember why you are doing it.....for your health, for your life!

I am a year out and still losing (I am not at goal yet). One thing I've learned is that when I up my carb count, I don't lose. So, for me, it would be including more carbs into my diet to maintain. Most people stop on their own, though, believe it or not, so it's not usually an issue!

Hi does anyone know of a great surgeon in NJ. Also how did you finally come to make your decision? I'm still struggling over if I should do the sleeve? My family is against it except for a few that feel I should do what's best for me. And my friends are against it as well but say they will support my decision. I'm just scared I focus on what if something goes wrong. I'm worried about long term later down the road. My mom passed from stomach cancer so I'm always worried if I do this surgery could I get stomach cancer etc... Any and all advice would be appreciated. I thank you all for listening. Good luck on your journeys! =)

I was just sleeved by dr. Abkin in florham park, nj. He also has an office by JFK in Edison so that is where I am going for me post ops. My friends who are all skinny were against it. My family was for it after I talked them into it. My family has seen me struggle with EVERY diet, diet pills, going to the gym 4 times a week and all the yo yo dieting. So they knew my pain and were behind me 100%. As for my friends I told them after. I'm am 2 weeks post op and have lost 20lbs.

This was a long journey as I tried for the lapband in February but my insurance denied me and I decided to sleeve because I am self pay and no maintenance

Also would love feed back on recovery and also what made you choose the sleeve vs other wls's.

If I wanted to stop losing, I'd just stop exercising and possibly increase my calories.

Here's my video on why I chose the sleeve over the other 2 popular WLS options.

Edited October 21, 201312 yr by joatsaint

Hi does anyone know of a great surgeon in NJ. Also how did you finally come to make your decision? I'm still struggling over if I should do the sleeve? My family is against it except for a few that feel I should do what's best for me. And my friends are against it as well but say they will support my decision. I'm just scared I focus on what if something goes wrong. I'm worried about long term later down the road. My mom passed from stomach cancer so I'm always worried if I do this surgery could I get stomach cancer etc... Any and all advice would be appreciated. I thank you all for listening. Good luck on your journeys! =)

Hello. I had my sleeve done by Dr. Samir Patel of Atlanticare. I am less then a week post op ( 4 days). But I began seeing him back in the spring to get pre-qualified thought my insurance.