My insurance will cover both surgeries- which one do you think is the best? Your thoughts are greatly appreciate

You are one of the lucky ones whose insurance WILL cover both. Most won't cover the Sleeve.

There is a Sleeve section here on this forum. There are a number of Lap-Band patients who have had their Bands removed and had a Sleeve. I would strongly suggest that you visit that section, as these folks have experienced both. They're nice people, and will give you the Sleeve "side of the story".

And, there are some very, very compelling reasons to choose the sleeve over the Band!

good luck in your decision making process! :wub:

HH

You are lucky to have a choice in surgeries. You need to investigate both types of surgery. Talk to as many people as possible. After that one surgery will probably seem better for you. Talk to the surgeons and make sure they are experienced. That alone is an important factor. This is a major decison take your time and do your homework. Best of luck.

For me, it was important to go with the band once I had decided to pursue weight loss surgery because it didn't involve cutting or removing any parts of my digestive system. I knew conventional diets weren't working for me, but I couldn't bring myself to purposely mutilate my digestive tract, which is healthy and fully functional. That was the key FOR ME. Personal opinion only.

At the same time, I find sleeve gastrectomy more attractive than RNY gastric bypass because it's not malabsorptive; the intestines aren't bypassed, so it doesn't cause dumping syndrome or dependence on Vitamin supplements. (Although the fact that the large part of the stomach is REMOVED and THROWN AWAY is a little disturbing to me.) However, critics of the sleeve say many of the same things critics say about the band: that because there aren't dire consequences (dumping) for eating fatty or sugary foods, it's easier to "eat around" than RNY.

But when it comes right down to it, anyone can "beat" any of the surgeries and either fail to lose or even gain weight post-op if they try hard enough. It's just a tool. You can make any of the surgeries work for you, and you can work against any of them. It's just that some are better fits for different people in different circumstances.

I hope you get all the information you need to find the best fit for you.

Good luck!

My insurance will cover both surgeries- which one do you think is the best? Your thoughts are greatly appreciate

I've had both a band and sleeve. No way would I get another band.

The LONG TERM risks and complications are greater with a band than they are a sleeve.

With a band there is aftercare for life, with a sleeve there is no aftercare.

Weight loss is better and faster with a sleeve.

A hunger causing hormone is removed with a sleeve, not so with a band.

A sleeve has no stoma which means you do not have to chew nearly as well as you do with a band.

Sleeves are easier all the way around.

Alex (owner of this forum) just opened a new sleeve forum. Read this one and the sleeve forum and see what you think.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) Surgery Forum

Think long and hard and decide what is best for you.

Here is an interesting thread:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/doctor-recommeded-against-lap-band-93553/

I have the band, however, at the time I got the band, the sleeve was not a choice/option for me.

If I were to have surgery again today, and I had the choice, I would get the sleeve. As wasa stated, the band is maintenance for life.

I haven't had any problems, just the problem of getting to propper "sweet spot", it took me 14 fills to get there, and 3 unfills, a lot of trouble, but finally got there. I'm happy with the band, but I do worry about the long term complications, so with that, I would get the sleeve if my insurance offered it. I'm not unhappy with my band, and I've had great success with it, and I love it and am glad I had the opportunity to get it. So don't get me wrong and think I don't like the band, because I do. I just worry about the "future" with the band.

This is a serious choice/decision for you so make sure you research everything, then make your decision.

Best wishes.

I do not regret having the lap band at all. The sleeve was not an option for me. I now have read alot more here on the sleeve and I know that another surgeon at my hospital had the sleeve and he has done very well with this. He now tells everyone that the sleeve is the best there is now... If my band had to come out the sleeve is the way I would go.. Just my opinion