"Lap Bands are becoming obsolete"

[Band2Sleever 78]

Only you can make a decision for you @@Ivowtodoit

Have a read of the "Band to sleeve revision" forum and ask people there for their experiences.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

Sounds like a tough decision and you have lots if things to weigh up. What's things are most important to you?

- having an implanted foreign body for life

- having part of your stomach removed and this is irreversible

- having to have more surgery to fix problems

I chose the band first time round because nothing was cut out or rearranged and there were no Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. At the time I hand the band I was advised that it was for permanent weight control (so although it's possible to remove it, it shouldn't be viewed as reversible, if you see what I mean). Whe I had my band put in I'm guessing it was early days and not that many patients had run into problems at 10 years out it more. But now that lots of people have had the band in for longer we are seeing longer term problems (like people having to have it removed).

My story is that I had a band for 10 years and got to normal BMI and maintained it oh joy the maintinaing at the new lower weight really was the best part (true it took quite a lot of effort, but if I gained a few pounds all I had to do was cut my intake for a while and do more exercise and I could CONTROL my weight... and that felt good, and I felt like how I imagined "normal" people do about their weight... it's no big deal!). However, after 10years my band mechanically failed and I had to have it removed (this was a total of two unwanted surgeries... number 1 surgery to fix the failure which didn't work, then number 2 surgery to remove the band). Since then has been my far the worst experience for me because i have regained my weight and am obese again ... I don't feel "normal" any more and I am really struggling to controls weight. So that gets me to the point where in sheer desperation I am facing number 3 surgery (gastric sleeve). I am at peace with my decision for this now and just want to get on with things.

Talk to different doctors who can do different types of surgery as they have their own biases and preferences for certain surgeries. And, talk to people who've been through different surgeries themselves as they have their own biases and preferences too. I used to be very positive about the band, and in a way I'm grateful fur the 10 years weight control it gave me. But now I feel anti the band because if my personal terrible experiences with it later. Who knows how I'll feel about the sleeve? Only time will tell.

Good luck with your journey whatever you decide.

Hi, to me it doesn't matter what WLS I get. If I don't have a life style change no surgery will help me. My sister had gastric by pass over 7 years ago, she gain around 60 lbs. back. She decided to have another wls she was banded a year ago. I'm trying to make up my mind Lap Band or sleeve. I ONLY WANT ONE WLS. Im still doing my research, I have till April to make up my mind. I'm leaning toward 70% Band 30% sleeve

Edited March 22, 2014 by Band2Sleever

[BandedBarbii 3]

I gained about 80 percent of my prelap band weight back. I cant blame it on the band ! It was my lifestyle choices. I got married, went back to school (Nursing school at that). So I spent my time eating to stay awake and study and then just eating all together with very little physical activity. My pre band weight was 353 I got down to 253 in about 6 months. Got stuck around 253-255. That was 2 years ago. In my opinion the band is safer and it requires alot of commitment and accountability. If you eat bad and dont excercise you will gain every pound back and then some. I have finished school however, got back in the gym and scheduled to have a fill with my bariatric surgeon so we will see how much success I will have the second time around.