Just wondering...browsing on here I've seen more than just a few people who started with a LapBand then wound up having VSG.

Why wasn't the VSG done initially? If I were considering the band for myself, I would have serious reservations about its "effectiveness". Couldn't some of these folks just had the sleeve and not even have had the risk of having to get another surgical procedure?

Just curious :-)

I had my lapband in 2009, before the sleeve was routinely done. I had never even heard of it and I'm not sure if my Dr even performed it, and it's a Center of Excellence.

So thats the reason I had the band instead of the sleeve. I wasn't into the RNY. Hope that answers ur questions...

I'm like Marfar7, I had the sleeve done about 5 years ago and the sleeve was barely known about. I also wanted to do something that wouldn't remove part of my body or reroute anything. I figured it was the least invasive procedure - and it still is. It just wasn't effective for me.

Please understand, the lap band is effective for many people. I liken it to Nicorette gum or hypnosis for smokers. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Same with the band.

To be honest, I think I needed to go through the trials and tribulations I had with the lap band before I got the sleeve. I'm more honest with myself now and I know what it takes to succeed and/or to fail.