Having had a lap band for 9 years, and it failing quite spectacularly! I have just been approved for revisional surgery.

I have been given the option of Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass.... and I am struggling to decide which will be best for me.

I understand both have their pro's and con's...

Im aware of all the post surgery risks, but Im more concerned / would like to hear from people who have had sleeve / bypass for a number of years... at least 5 years ideally.....

I would really appreciate any feedback on the following points that are worrying me:

Bypass -

Very little / No revisional options... has anyone had anything go wrong after a number of years?

Dumping... How often does this actually effect people?

Ive heard you get very 'noisy' digestion.. and a lot of wind!! Is this the same for everyone who has had bypass?

Sleeve -

Given this is relatively 'new' Im very interested in long term satisfaction / issues, if any?

Ive heard after a few years the stomach can stretch and revision is likely to maintain restriction?

Ive heard people revising from lapband to sleeve, often feel no restriction? it this common?

Ive also heard the chances of getting heartburn are high with a sleeve? Are there many people who never had heartburn before surgery, who were effected post surgery?

I am naturally a bit nervous having to have surgery again, and would appreciate your feedback.

Look forward to any help from anyone.

Thanks!

I am also maybe doing a revision with my band. I have gone back and am researching all the surgeries available. I am really liking the ds. my gi doctor who doesn't have anything invested in my wls said that the ds was a very good surgery very successful wt. loss and maintaining the wt. loss with little or no complications. you don't get the dumping with ds. and no reflux as some experience with the sleeve. I have a appointment with my wls early part of may. good luck on your revision. it is a nerve racking decision.

I have had a sleeve its been 3 yrs now ive lost 98 pounds. but, it I had it to do over I would have went with the bypass! I will be looking into trying trying to get it. Please don't do like I did and pass up your chance. the sleeve is NOT what people make it out to be. you are still hungry but you do loose weight but its very SLOW. it took me 3 YRS to loose 98 pds and I worked hard to get that off. Good luck to you!

I'm also currently in the process of revising to a different surgery from the band. I chose the RNY bypass over the sleeve. Here are my reasons:

• I've already had to have my band replaced once, so I want to give myself the best chance of success and the least chance of having to have yet ANOTHER surgery. I'm tired of surgery!
• I know I have metabolic issues from both PCOS and from the limited way the band forced me to eat, so I think I need the metabolic boost of malabsorbtion that the RNY will provide.
• The sleeve as a stand-alone surgery is still too new to have much information about long-term statistics available. After being burned with the band, I'm very wary about "projected" outcomes, since the band was projected to have similar long-term results as the bypass when I was first banded.
• After suffering from SEVERE acid reflux with my first band, and having it when my second band started giving me trouble, I don't want to take the risk of having it again. The sleeve is known to cause or worsen acid reflux. I've already experienced choking on stomach acid at night even though I was sleeping upright, and I don't want to do it again.