Hello!

I had LB and was very successful with it for years. Although, I had to get it opened in the spring and fall for a couple months each due to allergies/serious post nasal drip causing issues. I was very sick last year (unrelated) and ended up with a hernia etc. Long story short, LB was removed (not sure it should have been).

Due to all my issues, I am not sure I want the LB again bc I am frankly sick of being used and a pin cushion (again was not related to LB but was bad 8 months) and just hyper sensitive. Thus, I looked into as cleared to have GS.

I am so confused and frustrated. One side says LB is better bc can always be adjusted and that GS will lead to reflux and a whole slew of issues. Also argues that GS use in US has not been that long and it shows a high percentage that pouch will be stretched and then not effective.

The other side says LB not as effective and shows high percentage of eventual slippage/failure (plus constant fills/reduction issues as noted above). Further says that reflux can be addressed, likely not long term and not lead to other issues (Barrett's disease).

I do not know what to do. Any thoughts? Anyone out there who went from LB to LB or LB to GS?

Thanks. Any feedback greatly appreciated.

I have been sleeved since July 26 2013 and I LOVE IT!! I had no issues, didn't lose any hair, or all the typical side effects you may read about. Of course, I am going to tell you to do the sleeve...

I have read that revision people may have some issues because they are not "virgin" sleevers. You may want to hear from them.

Good luck on whatever decision you make!

I had the lap band put in place five years ago and had issues with it. I regained all the weight I lost because I found foods that wouldn't make me sick. I puked up every meal and snack. Also developed acid reflux and ulcers within my stomach and esophagus as well. I was revised to a sleeve in November and love it! My reflux and ulcers are gone. I don't puke and feel ten times better than I ever did with the band. Everybody is different on how the surgery goes. Yes, there is a chance of the pouch of stretching but there are chances of the band slipping and the pouch that the band creates stretching as well. I have not experienced any cons with having the sleeve like I did with the band. I am bias with saying go with the sleeve, but the choice is all yours and your health care provider. Good luck with your choice, I am sure you will be successful no matter what.

Have you been successful w GS and losing weight?

Have you been successful w GS and losing weight?

Reasons not to get a Lapband:

1) what are the chances you will go 5-10 years without getting a severe stomach virus, vomiting and risk slipping your band? It's a completely unrealistic expectation.

2) like you said, you're tired of being a pincushion.

3) with the late complication/removal rate in the 50% range, why risk it.

4) early complications with sleeve are 1.5 %, band is .5% + 3% risk it will be placed improperly...

5) with sleeve, you heal and live normally...you already know what life with a band is like!

Best of luck!!

I had lapband and was successful with it for 5&1/2 years (lost all my weight in 9 months and kept it off). Then it failed.. I had to have it removed on May 21 2014 and I chose rny bypass main reason was I wanted this to be my final wls.. I loved my band but I wouldn't have gotten it if I had known it would fail me.. It had deteriorated and was causing me major reflux. Another reason I didn't get the sleeve if you have reflux that isn't the option you want to choose.. Good luck!!!

Gastric bypass... Lap band is a set up for failure almost always!

Have you been successful w GS and losing weight?

Yes I am 6 1/2 months post op and have lost over all 115 pounds. When I started the journey I was 397, on the day of surgery I was 362. So, since surgery its been 81 pounds gone. I have experienced plateaus, but that is common with loosing weight. I have also experienced some hair loss but I am fine with it cause I reversed it before it got out of hand. Overall I am happy with my decision and don't regret it.

I'm also a band to sleeve revision (almost a yr now). Had my band for 3 1/2 yrs and lost almost all of my weight (went from 250 to 144. Then it slipped. After vomiting almost everyday. After my unfill, I gained about 35 lbs back. Had to have a tool so I chose the sleeve (I figured the RNY was a bit drastic to lose 40 lbs) when my band had to be removed (eventually herniated when I continued vomiting even with a total unfill)

While the weightloss is really slow (I'm still 15 lbs from goal), I know if I actually tried, I could lose it. It's nice to not even try and still maintain. I've vomited 2x in the last yr - vs almost everyday. Vomiting now is a long drawn out process that yields little results, so if I take 1 bite too many, I'm miserable till it passes.

Luv my sleeve. Even if all it does is allow me to maintain...I vote for the sleeve. My dr told me once ur band slips, u have a higher chance of slippage with a new band...

Tough decision you have make, and I sure can understand why you feel so confused and frustrated! Sorry for all the stuff you've been going through. I hope you can get some answers here that will help you with your decision.

This is just a general, overall statement from observations I've made after three years of personal reading and listening to people in support groups. Of course, there are undoubtedly many people who have had the LB for years with no complications. It seems though that more people, overall, have issues with their LB than those who have GB or sleeve. And it also seems that there are a lot of LB people who later end up doing a revision to either sleeve or GB. Again, this is just what I have observed.

Just FYI, I've had sleeve for 3 years, never any complications, and best decision I ever made. There is some pretty good scientic data out there now on the sleeve, and it is very favorable. I think the whole "stretching sleeve" thing has become this crazy urban legend. If sleevers are following the eating plan and lifestyle, there is no such thing.

Good luck to you and let us know how you're doing.

I think only you truly know what is best for you.

Your surgeon should also be able to help you with finding that answer. Go to more than one Dr. and see if they tell you the same best thing for you or completely different. Also ask them how successful they are in each of the surgeries. I personally think Drs. sometimes make decisions for us that benefit them greatly. You have to live with this decision everyday not them. Goodluck, I hope you find the answers you need.

As far as stretching...when I had the lb my esophagus dilated.. All my food was storing in my esophagus,. I vote gs.