Alia Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Hello all. I am still only about three months into my research about the lap band... I have learned a bunch but their is so much to learn yet. I am starting to wonder if maybe I would be better off having the gastric sleeve surgery. I weigh 297 and worry that with the lap band I could not possibly lose as much weight as I need to... YES I know it is not a magic belt so to speak, so please - their is no need to tell me that. When you weigh near 300 pounds you know their is nothing easy about losing weight and when someone tells me that I just feel it is sooooo condescending. I am just wondering is anyone else debated over the two and why the ended up going with the lap band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAMMIE Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Hello all. I am still only about three months into my research about the lap band... I have learned a bunch but their is so much to learn yet. I am starting to wonder if maybe I would be better off having the gastric sleeve surgery. I weigh 297 and worry that with the lap band I could not possibly lose as much weight as I need to... YES I know it is not a magic belt so to speak, so please - their is no need to tell me that. When you weigh near 300 pounds you know their is nothing easy about losing weight and when someone tells me that I just feel it is sooooo condescending. I am just wondering is anyone else debated over the two and why the ended up going with the lap band. ALIA, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT, WHEN OR IF YOU START PUTTING WEIGHT BACK ON, HOW DOES THE SLEEVE HELP? TO ME, THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE BAND, IT BEING ADJUSTABLE TO FIT MY NEEDS BEST WISHES TO YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alia Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 ALIA, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT, WHEN OR IF YOU START PUTTING WEIGHT BACK ON, HOW DOES THE SLEEVE HELP? TO ME, THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE BAND, IT BEING ADJUSTABLE TO FIT MY NEEDSBEST WISHES TO YOU That is actually a really good point that I hadn't thought of... Thank you for this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeK Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 I tell people this was the easiest weight I've ever lost in my life...I was 294 pre-op diet was 204 after 6 months, had my tummy tuck and would be pleased if another 20 came off in the future. Starting out bigger, you may actually see more success at first that will give you the faith and hope you need to enjoy and work with your band. I love the adjustability and the longterm use with less complications that the band offers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clynn Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Keep in mind this is a lap-band forum, so knowledge and opinions may be a bit skewed in that direction. Here is a link to a sleeve forum http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/ My mother has a friend who had a band, then after she reached goal she switched to a sleeve and is quite happy with it. I don't recall if she had her band removed because she was having problems. Of course I have a band and am quite happy with that. There are pros and cons with both sides and you need to make the decision on which one will work best for you, your lifestyle, and your habits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbird Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 As previously stated, this is Dr Ortiz's forum, and he doesn't do sleeves. Therefore, his patients are not going to be experienced with or, generally, advocates of, sleeve surgery. The sleeve is not a malabsorptive procedure like bypass. It makes the stomach smaller, but does not mess with your intestines like bypass. Threfore, there usually is not a nutrient problem, any more than there is with the band. The band has its problems. I am about two years past my band surgery and feel I have been a very successful bandster. However, I know people who have been banded and have never been able to find a good restrictive spot: some have been over restricted even with absolutely no fill, and others have been unable to reach proper restriction and are either always too tight or not tight enough. then there are slips and other difficulties like erosion. I am not mentioning this to scare anyone from banding, but you should know what the risks are before you undergo any surgery. I have been told that the way the sleeve is currently done minimizes chances of stretching. A "non-stretchy"portion of the stomach is left, unlike earlier sleeve type surgeries. One plus with the sleeve is that you DON'T have to keep adjusting it. Aftercare with a sleeve is just about nonexistent. You get it and you are done. No fills, no unfills, no fills, no unfills . . . While the sleeve is not reversible the way a band is, the band can leave scarring and other stomach and esophogeal problems even if you have it removed. You are placing a foreign object in your body. Sometimes it can cause damage. Each patient should work with his/her surgeon and decide which surgery is best for them. One thing I am sure of: neither surgery is a quick fix for obesity, and both require work, dedication and proper decisions about food and eating right afterwards. If you don't follow the band "rules" or the sleeve "rules" your weight loss will be unsatisfactory and you can damage your body and your health. But with proper attention and care, both can be great tools to help you achieve and maintain normal weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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