I think from what I gather my from sleeve research it seems that the sleeve has a better long term result that the lap band. Does anyone have any feedback regarding initial weight loss? Is it faster with the sleeve than the band right from the start? What is the difference (aside from all the throwing up) in the diet that you can actually eat? Quantity about the same as when the lapband is actually working?

Yes, weight loss is faster with the sleeve. With the band, it might take 3 fills before you even feel like you have a band. Most doctors do fills 6 weeks apart.

The nurse I spoke to when I had my surgery said he lost 100 lbs in 6 months.

The difference with the foods you can eat is with a sleeve, you can eat most anything. With a band, once you have restriction, there are many many foods that people have to give up or they throw up. They won't go

through the band and it's painful when things get stuck until you throw it up.

I think from what I gather my from sleeve research it seems that the sleeve has a better long term result that the lap band. Does anyone have any feedback regarding initial weight loss?

I lost 18 pounds the first month with the sleeve and *Susan* lost 26... much faster than the band.

Is it faster with the sleeve than the band right from the start?

Yes!

What is the difference (aside from all the throwing up) in the diet that you can actually eat? Quantity about the same as when the lapband is actually working?

I can eat MUCH less but, after 30 days post-op, have no food restrictions and don't have to worry about problem foods.

Thank you so much for your replies. I am a nervous wreck thinking about all this. I have had two lapbands. The first one slipped and I needed emergency surgery (after throwing up several times a week for a year and then finally not being able to swallow my own saliva) and the second one is not providing any restriction at all, completely filled to max. I really want to convert to the sleeve. From what I have heard about it, it sounds like the best of both worlds. I have a consult on Monday. The woman who does the insurance approvals said that she just received coding for this procedure. I think that means they could bill for it now and it just needs to be approved by insurance. One big problem is that my Doctor who is a top bariatric surgeon in my area, has not done sleeves. He has, however, done many duoendum (sp) switches, the first portion of that surgery as I understand is a sleeve. So from that standpoint he actually has performed the surgery, just as part of a two part operation. He is just now beginning to bill for it as a stand alone procedure. What do you think?

I think from what I gather my from sleeve research it seems that the sleeve has a better long term result that the lap band. Does anyone have any feedback regarding initial weight loss? Is it faster with the sleeve than the band right from the start? What is the difference (aside from all the throwing up) in the diet that you can actually eat? Quantity about the same as when the lapband is actually working?

Yes, weight loss is better and faster than banding. Initial weight loss is faster because you come out of OR with restriction unlike a band. With a band you have to wait to heal before they can start doing fills and giving you restriction.

With a band I couldn't eat bread, Pasta, cold foods, hot foods, eggs, potatoes, etc. With a sleeve I can eat anything I want but in amazingly small quantities.

I can't speak to quantity, the band for me was either wide open or obstructed. I never had a sweet spot.