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Band Or Sleeve?

Essence33

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Essence33    90

Essence33
Posted

I was thinking of the sleeve, but since its nor reverseable I got a bit scared. The sleeve is more cost effective then the band. However, with the sleeve doing my research I've read more complications. Such as leakage, dumping, and etc. I'm confused. Help? Anyone had problems?

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SuperFab    689

SuperFab
Posted

I think complications with the band is higher. I've even read that some bariatric doctors are no longer doing the band, but have went with going with the sleeve and bypass only. Read the complications in the band forum. In two days my sister converts from band to sleeve. Slippage, scar tissue and erosion are just a few band complications. Also trying to find that "sweet spot" where your fill is perfect can take years. It did for her. You have to research and then research some more. Then at the end of the day, go with what you feel is right for you.

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Essence33    90

Essence33
Posted

I think complications with the band is higher. I've even read that some bariatric doctors are no longer doing the band, but have went with going with the sleeve and bypass only. Read the complications in the band forum. In two days my sister converts from band to sleeve. Slippage, scar tissue and erosion are just a few band complications. Also trying to find that "sweet spot" where your fill is perfect can take years. It did for her. You have to research and then research some more. Then at the end of the day, go with what you feel is right for you.

Thanks! Sorry about the complication with your sister. I agree with you. I've done both research, but what gets me is cutting half of my stomach and being staple from the inside. However, I'll take on your advice and keep doing research. Thanks again. :)

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SuperFab    689

SuperFab
Posted

Thanks! Sorry about the complication with your sister. I agree with you. I've done both research, but what gets me is cutting half of my stomach and being staple from the inside. However, I'll take on your advice and keep doing research. Thanks again. :)

Any time. I just wish I could've been more helpful.

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Essence33    90

Essence33
Posted

Any time. I just wish I could've been more helpful.

You were more then helpful, some advice is better then none. :)

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reading mom    85

reading mom
Posted

I understand the appeal of the band. Originally it seemed less drastic to me. But as I researched further and became more aware of the serious complications that some have with the band the sleeve began to appeal to me more. I also saw many doctors no longer perform or recommend the band surgery. Also at some point the band has to come out. Then what? I don't know about your dieting history, but I could get it all together and lose weight for a while, but I could never get all the way to goal and then I could never keep the weight off. I had a problem that needed a PERMANENT solution. With the sleeve you are "one and done," but the band is a life time commitment to adjustments, fills and eventually replacement. Wishing you all the best as you continue your research and decide what is best for you. Good for you for making steps to lose weight and get healthier whichever you decide!

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reading mom    85

reading mom
Posted

Also I recommend you check out the forum section on converting from band to sleeve. Lots of stories there!

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Kindle    8,667

Kindle
Posted

You're right, Short term complications are higher with the sleeve, but long term is much higher with the band. In fact, if you read the "fine print" the band was never meant to be a permanent thing. That being said, I was originally looking at getting the band. A good friend of mine has had one for 5 years so I went to her for advice. She immediately talked me out of it. She doesn't regret hers, but it has been a long road...took over 2 years (and MANY fills/unfills) to find the "sweet spot" and finally lose weight and keep it off....had emergency surgery to remove 1st band after it slipped....lives in fear of getting the flu since violent vomiting could result in another slip. Since I live in a pretty rural area, she advised that all the post op maintenance would be a major inconvenience for me, and a slip could be downright dangerous if I can't get to a surgeon ASAP.

I, too was freaked over having an irreversible procedure done, but the weight loss maintenance and lifestyle changes that go with this journey shouldn't be something you can just "reverse" when you want to, so why should the physical part be? And yes, the potential complications are very scary, but so is being fat for the rest of my life.

Keep up with your research and do what you think is best for you. (And if you hadn't guessed, you will get biased opinions on this sub forum...so make sure you post in the band forums, too)

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Coachdk    72

Coachdk
Posted

I have been considering a sleeve for several years, and had many of the same thoughts as the OP. Last year I had a total knee replacement. Now that is drastic and permanent. My success with the new knee made me decide to get the sleeve...and my knee surgeon is very happy with my decision.

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Nicolanz    1,484

Nicolanz
Posted

I personally know 3 who have been banded. 1 never lost a significant amount and the other 2 gained all of their weight back. I know 2 people who where sleeved 2 years before me and are still at or very close to goal. For me, that helped me make my choice! Good luck?!

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Nicolanz    1,484

Nicolanz
Posted

I mean, good luck!

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Essence33    90

Essence33
Posted

I understand the appeal of the band. Originally it seemed less drastic to me. But as I researched further and became more aware of the serious complications that some have with the band the sleeve began to appeal to me more. I also saw many doctors no longer perform or recommend the band surgery. Also at some point the band has to come out. Then what? I don't know about your dieting history, but I could get it all together and lose weight for a while, but I could never get all the way to goal and then I could never keep the weight off. I had a problem that needed a PERMANENT solution. With the sleeve you are "one and done," but the band is a life time commitment to adjustments, fills and eventually replacement. Wishing you all the best as you continue your research and decide what is best for you. Good for you for making steps to lose weight and get healthier whichever you decide!

Thanks, yeah the fills and adjustment being self paid will become very much expansive. I have a lot of thinking to do. Huh! Thanks

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Essence33    90

Essence33
Posted

You're right, Short term complications are higher with the sleeve, but long term is much higher with the band. In fact, if you read the "fine print" the band was never meant to be a permanent thing. That being said, I was originally looking at getting the band. A good friend of mine has had one for 5 years so I went to her for advice. She immediately talked me out of it. She doesn't regret hers, but it has been a long road...took over 2 years (and MANY fills/unfills) to find the "sweet spot" and finally lose weight and keep it off....had emergency surgery to remove 1st band after it slipped....lives in fear of getting the flu since violent vomiting could result in another slip. Since I live in a pretty rural area, she advised that all the post op maintenance would be a major inconvenience for me, and a slip could be downright dangerous if I can't get to a surgeon ASAP.

I, too was freaked over having an irreversible procedure done, but the weight loss maintenance and lifestyle changes that go with this journey shouldn't be something you can just "reverse" when you want to, so why should the physical part be? And yes, the potential complications are very scary, but so is being fat for the rest of my life.

Keep up with your research and do what you think is best for you. (And if you hadn't guessed, you will get biased opinions on this sub forum...so make sure you post in the band forums, too)

Thanks, I have been on the band forum a while now and I'm getting both advice which is great for me when making a decision. Thanks!

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Essence33    90

Essence33
Posted

I have been considering a sleeve for several years, and had many of the same thoughts as the OP. Last year I had a total knee replacement. Now that is drastic and permanent. My success with the new knee made me decide to get the sleeve...and my knee surgeon is very happy with my decision.

Sorry about the knees, happy your doing well. I'm seriously considering it.

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Essence33    90

Essence33
Posted

I personally know 3 who have been banded. 1 never lost a significant amount and the other 2 gained all of their weight back. I know 2 people who where sleeved 2 years before me and are still at or very close to goal. For me, that helped me make my choice! Good luck?!

Thanks

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

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        Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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