Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🎉 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

Undecided lap band vs sleeve

Laurensloss

Recommended Posts

KristinaRnY    455

KristinaRnY
Posted

Personally the band was never an option for me. I've seen so many people personally who have had complications with it. Come to find out my insurance provider will not even cover the band due to the amount of problems people experience. I was undecided between the sleeve and rny but eventually decided to go with the rny. Goodluck with whatever you decide! Whichever you choose will work if you work it!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Madelyne Bonthron    128

Madelyne Bonthron
Posted

I personal think getting the band you have a higher chance of setting your self up for disappointment. Sleeve has been a wonderful tool for me and i need permanent. I dont want to ever gain all the weight i lost again. I have a better chance with the sleeve then i would have with the band.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

lellow    1,713

lellow
Posted (edited)

I agree, I think if I was the kind of person who might say 'oh unfill me so I can eat more" I wouldn't have gone the band. But the band has been great in that when I started losing too much, I was able to keep it a little loose so I felt hunger, and if I gain a bit too much, I have it filled and I'm back on track. I have maintained my weight, even with the complication of the leak, to within a normal range for over 5 years now. When my band was leaking and I had the option to revise to sleeve or band last year, I chose the band again, because it works for me.

I think you do need to have more patience and self control with the band, it's very easy to cheat the band and yourself. My doctor still advocates the band over sleeve because it has longer term, mostly positive stats and in Australia, is actually quite a successful procedure, I suspect, in part to the fact that our aftercare is cheap and accessible. And it can be successful, as I'm testament too. Lapband surgery is like pregnancy, everyone has a horror story :) but you don't often hear about the successes. And there are plenty. People like me, for whom it wasn't hard at all.

So do your research and choose what is best FOR YOU, not what was best for everyone else.

Edited by lellow
2muchfun, She's_Sleeved, ☠carolinagirl☠ and 1 other reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

DaddyMarie    291

DaddyMarie
Posted

I came into this thinking the lap band was it. I loved that it was the least risky, less invasive and reversible because there was no cutting, stapling or re routing of the stomach. Then I started doing deep research and found that doctors are actually kind of steering away from lap band due to the high complication rate and rate of re surgery. So I asked myself... Do I have the time in my life to drive an hour and a half a month for fills? Do I want another surgery if something goes wrong? Will my insurance cover it or can I afford it? As far a the drastic part of it, well for me I need something drastic!! Something that was gonna actually work! Something that would get me to my goal and not just half way there.

I have now been to countless support groups and seminars and nutrition classes and the sleeve is right for me. I have 100 lbs to loose and I don't have time to mess around with fills and crap. My problem is that my stomach is too big! Sooo, take 85% of it!! Please!!!!! lol!

Whatever you choose you have to feel happy and content with your decision. Best of luck to you!!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

PrincessErin    64

PrincessErin
Posted

I thought the band was the least risky option, too. That's why I chose it. 5 surgeries later, with no band and nearly dying, I would say the band was a very risky choice. I just didn't know.

I have several friends that have had wonderful success with the band, sleeve and RNY. I know it just didn't work for me.

Tomorrow I am having RNY done and I wish I had picked it from the beginning.

Bandarella reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

woo woo    872

woo woo
Posted

I am also trying to decide between the sleeve and lap band. I have a couple of questions what happens to the staples in your stomach are they permanent . Can food fall out after 10 years because the staples disintegrate or does your stomach heal shut after a few months and the staples are removed and you don't have to worry about that complication any longer.

The staples are permanent and are not going anywhere because they are over-stitched with sutures. Plus the stomach is sealed shut with heat (cauterized) at the same time as the staples are inserted, by the same instrument. but your stomach also completely heals and would stay together without them afterthought you are healed. This information is readily available at any reputable place that talks about the sleeve procedure, and your surgeon can explain it to you as well. I don't want you to feel that I am calling you out, but I get concerned that people are not doing enough research on their own. Please don't let people on a web forum make your health-related decisions for you.

The band and RNY have staples too.

I thought I read somewhere on here that some docs are now using the new poopable staples? :P :P

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

KristinaRnY    455

KristinaRnY
Posted (edited)

You know I heard the same thing about poopable staples.

Edited by KristinaRnY
woo woo reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

DaddyMarie    291

DaddyMarie
Posted (edited)

I heard the poopable staples are a silly myth

Edited by DaddyMarie
KristinaRnY reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

DaddyMarie    291

DaddyMarie
Posted (edited)

????

Edited by DaddyMarie

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

woo woo    872

woo woo
Posted (edited)

It's def silly, you're right! :)

Edited by woo woo
chelan and KristinaRnY reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

KristinaRnY    455

KristinaRnY
Posted

Wait so everyone's not crazy until they poop out their staples? ;-)

woo woo reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Lovely Lady    46

Lovely Lady
Posted

I am also undecided what to have. I know Lap Band is a lot of work, and that is OK with me. I am about 2 months away from surgery. The nurse told me how the band doesn't have the success rate like the sleeve. A lot of W.L. Centers don't like doing the band any more. The band can slip, I will need to have it filled or unfilled, or even have it removed. If I have to have the band removed, I cant have a different weight loss surgery. Insurance wont pay for it! It is reversible.

If I chose the Sleeve, I don't have to go back as much. They take out the hunger hormone. Better success rate. I was told insurance will pay for the sleeve, but I have heard other patients say how they were turned down for the sleeve and ended up have a different W.L. surgery. This is permanent.

I don't know which surgery I want to have either.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Go To Topic Listing General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    Bariatric Forums

    For Patients

    Health Professionals

    Search Surgeons

    Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

    ×