Sleeve V's Band????

First topic message reminder :

Hi there everyone.

I'm in the research stage of WLS I was initially considering the Gastric Band and have spoken to a couple of people who have had a band and and told me some of the pro's ad con's. I recently spoke to a lady and the support group I have to go to to get funding for the surgery on the NHS and she informed me about the sleeve, and that the consultant I have been referred to does prefer people to have the sleeve, so hence doing research, I want to go to my 1st appointment with open eyes (so to speak) so I can get on the waiting list as soon as possible.

So here we go, I would like any info on the sleeve that you can give me that will help me decide on which surgery to have. Has anybody had the band and then the sleeve? Is there any foods you have to avoid with the sleeve like you do with the band? Do you have to take vitamin supplements? Does anyone wish that they had tried a less invasive procedure?

Sorry for asking so many questions in my 1st post, thanks in advance

Jo.

Weight 118kg
Height 5' 8"
BMI 39.9

Hello and Welcome Jo,

If you do a 'search' for band or lapband you will find all sorts of info.

There are many reasons that people changed from the band to the sleeve. Me, personally, worked out how to cheat with the band and although I initially lost 20 kilos it slowly crept back on. Also the continuous visits to the doctor for fills were a pain and I had to have some (unrelated) surgery and had to have all the fill taken out of the band. I then had to go back to stage 1 and slowly have the fill increased. It was during this time that I put on the most weight.

I am only 2 weeks out from having the sleeve and am still on liquids but from what I read on here there is nothing you can't eat when you are totally healed.

Good luck with your research and decision.

xxx

Hi Jo

Welcome.

As far as the info goes there is plenty of info on the site to help you.

After having a bad band experience and after 15months only losing 4kgs and then finding out it had been leaking probably for most of the time it was in and then also then the port flipped I found my way to this site and havn't looked back.

You have to ask yourself if you are prepared for the "upkeep" of the band. In that further surgeries to either replace the port, replace the band due to wear etc, After having 15months of having the band do nothing I didn't want to continue down the road and have further surgeries.

Yes the sleeve sounds very drastic and more complications as the start but it is a far better procedure.

I am now 15days out from my sleeve surgery and I know this is the right decision I've made.

I have already lost 9kgs in 3 weeks - certainly way past the 4kgs lost in the 15months!

I am still on the post op diet, but with the sleeve you are suppose to be able to eat normally just in smaller portions, with the band I could generally everything but cold chips, chicken always had to be washed with sauces etc, which was laden with calories...

Anyway, could ramble all day. Goodluck with your decision.

Nicole xx

Hi there everyone.

I'm in the research stage of WLS I was initially considering the Gastric Band and have spoken to a couple of people who have had a band and and told me some of the pro's ad con's. I recently spoke to a lady and the support group I have to go to to get funding for the surgery on the NHS and she informed me about the sleeve, and that the consultant I have been referred to does prefer people to have the sleeve, so hence doing research, I want to go to my 1st appointment with open eyes (so to speak) so I can get on the waiting list as soon as possible.

So here we go, I would like any info on the sleeve that you can give me that will help me decide on which surgery to have. Has anybody had the band and then the sleeve? Is there any foods you have to avoid with the sleeve like you do with the band? Do you have to take vitamin supplements? Does anyone wish that they had tried a less invasive procedure?

Sorry for asking so many questions in my 1st post, thanks in advance

Jo.

Weight 118kg
Height 5' 8"
BMI 39.9