A friend of mine told me the newest procedure being done now is called the sleeve. Anyone know what this is and how it compares to the band?

I've not read too much about it but I believe it's basically a temporary lining in the intestine that keeps the digested food from being absorbed, much as the RnY does by permanently removed a portion of the intestine. I *think* they leave it in for 6 months, and then it's removed.

It's actually a restrictive procedure that removes up to 70-80%(depending on which study you read) of your stomach leaving it in a 'banana' or sleeve shape. It is suppose to remove the ghrelin in your stomach that produces hunger & make it very difficult to over eat due to the size& shape of the stomach.

It leave your intestines in tact so food is absorbed the natural way.

A doctor explained it to me as similar to lap band in that it controls the amt you eat but no hardware left in except staples. So far they don't have longterm studies but it's becoming very popular for people who have had problems with the band or can't easily keep up the f/u required by the band.

I'm researching it also as option since I just finished my supervised wl required by ins & they turned me down.

Doh! What the heck was I thinking of?

Weight Loss Surgery Options Gastric Sleeve Resection

thanks for the information. I think I will stick with LB!

There is a whole group of people who discuss their experience with the vertical gastric sleeve on Obesity Help - Weight Loss, Surgery, Support Groups, Forums, Surgical Procedures web site forums.

Doh! What the heck was I thinking of?

Sounds like you were thinking of that new condom type thing they are testing right now. No surgery - they put it in thru the mouth some how? It was in the news recently.

Doh! What the heck was I thinking of?

Weight Loss Surgery Options Gastric Sleeve Resection

You were thinking of the gastric balloon, I think, that they insert through the mouth and inflate in the stomach, creating temporary restriction.

Sounds like you were thinking of that new condom type thing they are testing right now. No surgery - they put it in thru the mouth some how? It was in the news recently.

Doh!!! What was I thinking? I thought you meant like a "real" condom. I was sitting here saying to myself, now how does a condom help you if you put it in your mouth? :tongue2:<!-- google_ad_section_end -->