I had my last nutrition class today. I lost 5 more pounds. The surgeon's nurse asked me am I sure I want lap band. I said Yes! She said how the success rate is poor, and how Medicare wont cover for the removal of the lap band and have another surgery. I have all the fills follow up appointments to deal with as well.

She said she thought it was in my best interest to have the sleeve. And Medicare does cover the surgery. I plan to do some research about the sleeve. I want to make the right decision for Me! But I would like your feedback.

I had lap band 6 years ago, I only loss 35 lbs Now I had my band removed due to infection I do not recommend the band, but the sleeve, Whatever you decide I wish you good luck.

Dhenise Oliveira

But I wanted the sleeve day one! My lapband surgeon doesn't perform the sleeve or bypass. He told me often folks who have the sleeve gain it all back with in 2 yrs and it fails.

I don't know if he had a monetary stake in this, but what studies show isn't stacking up with what your Dr. said (about sleeve's efficacy):

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20622654

All WLS have huge potential for great benefits to obese persons. If they didn't, we wouldn't be lining up to lie down, let a surgeon cut us open and altar our insides in one way or another to help us lose our excess pounds. This is major! Lovely Lady, don't let a surgery center, a surgeon, any group or other individual make this decision for you. Only you know your body well enough to make this momentous decision for you. Only you live in your body, only you know how well you will be able to comply with whichever procedure you eventually decide to have done. Only you know if you will be happy with a band and the follow up aftercare it will require. Only you know if a sleeve might be more to your liking. Only you know if perhaps a bypass might suit your body, personality, lifestyle best. You have to research, weight all of the options against your health concerns, lifestyle, personality, what you are willing and not willing to do and live with and make your own decision then move forward, secure in the knowledge that you made the very best choice for yourself.

Clear all of the voices from your head and just listen to one. Your own. It will never steer you wrong.

But I wanted the sleeve day one! My lapband surgeon doesn't perform the sleeve or bypass. He told me often folks who have the sleeve gain it all back with in 2 yrs and it fails.

I don't know if he had a monetary stake in this, but what studies show isn't stacking up with what your Dr. said (about sleeve's efficacy):

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20622654

What this study tells us is that the Sleeve, just like any WLS is a tool, not a magic bullet and that to be successful, long term the person with the Sleeve must work their program, every day, for the rest of their life. Just like a Lap Bandster or a By Passer or Switcher... Imagine that...

It all comes down to choosing the right surgery for your own body, health concerns and lifestyle.

My husband and I began WL seminars 10 years ago and not until the sleeve did we decide we felt comfortable with it. The weight is dragging off slowly since August, 2013 and I doubt I will ever look like a skeleton. My husband can eat anything and is still losing, being a big man, but he is still losing slowly. We feel better than we have in many years. We would do the sleeve again in a heartbeat. Keep reading and studying the posts here and it will lead you to an informed decision. I don't have to keep going to the doctor for anything, and I never have to have surgery to remove anything. We have not had a day of being sick since one night in the hospital, Nov. 18 and Dec. 2. God bless as you go forth for the best decision for you. Linda

So you all had the surgery together. That's wonderful. How much have you lost?

My husband and I began WL seminars 10 years ago and not until the sleeve did we decide we felt comfortable with it. The weight is dragging off slowly since August, 2013 and I doubt I will ever look like a skeleton. My husband can eat anything and is still losing, being a big man, but he is still losing slowly. We feel better than we have in many years. We would do the sleeve again in a heartbeat. Keep reading and studying the posts here and it will lead you to an informed decision. I don't have to keep going to the doctor for anything, and I never have to have surgery to remove anything. We have not had a day of being sick since one night in the hospital, Nov. 18 and Dec. 2. God bless as you go forth for the best decision for you. Linda

So you all had the surgery together. That's wonderful. How much have you lost?

We have lost a little over 50 lbs each. I am big boned so I look smaller than 170. I now wear size 14 pants and XL -Large shirts, and look good. (was wearing 16-18 pants an 2x shirt.) If I never lose another lb this 50 lbs has changed my life. I can walk without gasping for breath now, I am off Metformin and one BP med. No more inhalers needed for the asthma, and no more neuropathy pain in my feet. Good luck!

Congratulations to you, and I'm sure your weight loss has only just begun. Very excited myself to get on this journey already.

All WLS have huge potential for great benefits to obese persons. If they didn't, we wouldn't be lining up to lie down, let a surgeon cut us open and altar our insides in one way or another to help us lose our excess pounds. This is major! Lovely Lady, don't let a surgery center, a surgeon, any group or other individual make this decision for you. Only you know your body well enough to make this momentous decision for you. Only you live in your body, only you know how well you will be able to comply with whichever procedure you eventually decide to have done. Only you know if you will be happy with a band and the follow up aftercare it will require. Only you know if a sleeve might be more to your liking. Only you know if perhaps a bypass might suit your body, personality, lifestyle best. You have to research, weight all of the options against your health concerns, lifestyle, personality, what you are willing and not willing to do and live with and make your own decision then move forward, secure in the knowledge that you made the very best choice for yourself.

Clear all of the voices from your head and just listen to one. Your own. It will never steer you wrong.

great posting....thank you for sharing this..

Congratulations on your weight loss