very VERY confused.... sleeve or band????

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Sorry I'm repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is in a

week and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered before...

I have a BMI of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), have

been overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and would

prefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, really

put me in the right path.

Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips and

erosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....

but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.

The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it does

deform your stomach too....

SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like to

decide today...

NHT

[Guest guest]

NHT,

I KNOW THAT WHEN I GOT MY BANDI HAD TO TAKE IN A FEW MEDICAL FACTS. IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, CPAP, DIABETTES 1 OR 2,ECT... THOSE WILL MOST LIKELY GO AWAY WITH EITHER SURGERY. I HAD TO STAY WITH THE BAND DUE TO HAVING SEVERAL TYPES OF ARTHRITIS,(PSORATIC-ANKYLO SPONDOSIS-OSTEO-YOU GET THE PIC) LUPUS, FIBROMYALGIA, HIGH CHLOESTERAL & LIVER FAILURE ON IT'S WAY. THE ONLY PLUS WAS THAT I HAD SMOKED FOR 35 YEARS(QUIT SINCE BAND) ADDICTED TO COFFEE/COKE (by the way thanks to my angel with that cup of coffee) AND HAD LOW BLOOD PRESSURE. WELL TO MAKE IT SHORT, I NEEDED TO LOOSE WEIGHT, AND EAT A HIGH PROTEIN DIET FOR ALL OF THIS SO IT WAS NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT I NEEDED THE BAND TO BE MY TOOL. I AM STILL LOOSING VERY SLOWLY AND ON A REGIMENT OF MEDS TO ATTACK THIS CRUD BUT IT DOES MAKE YOU NAUSEA'S. SO FAR I HAVE YET TO THROW UP AND STAYING ON HIGH PROTEIN FOR MULTIPLE REASONS. I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT I AM ON A

MIN OF 80 GR OF PROTEIN PER DAY AND UNDER 900 CAL. ITS BEEN FAIRLY EASY AS LONG AS I HAVE MY FUZZY NAVEL'S (PROTEIN SHAKE FLAV-23 GR PER 8 OZ)

SO I GUESS IT IS NOT JUST FOR WHY BUT FOR THE WHY NOTS.

GOOD LUCK AND YOU WILL LOVE THE DR.'S AND ALL.

SUZIE W Banded 04-26-2008

194/177/150-130

1yr -2yr

Take Care & God Bless All, Suz

very VERY confused.... sleeve or band????Hi all,Sorry I'm repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is in aweek and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered before...I have a BMI of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), havebeen overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and wouldprefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, reallyput me in the right path.Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips anderosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.The band appealed to me for there was no

organ changed. But it doesdeform your stomach too....SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like todecide today...NHT------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

NH:

I totally understand your situation! I am in the same position and was definitely considering the lap band. Now that the sleeve has so many respondents and those who have had both. I am leaning more towards the sleeve because of the same issues; fills, refills, take out fills, erosion, slippage, etc. I think the sleeve is a much more simple way to go without all of the extra going back and forth.

Many of the people that I personally know who have had the band seem to need a lot of adjustments....so each adjustment for their doctors costs money.

However, each person has their own criteria for banding and/or sleeving.

So, as of right now, I call the center and am talking to them about price and times and have already contacted my bank for a loan. So, I am now on the road to being a new person!

Thank you all for your encouragement and support!

Hugs!

Gail

From: nhtravelor <nhtravelor@...>Subject: very VERY confused.... sleeve or band???? Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 10:59 AM

Hi all,Sorry I'm repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is in aweek and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered before...I have a BMI of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), havebeen overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and wouldprefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, reallyput me in the right path.Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips anderosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it doesdeform your stomach too....SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like todecide today...NHT

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gail....I am still not decided, but probably will do sleeve...New Horizon Traveler (NHT) [Dr-Aceves-bandster s] very VERY confused.... sleeve or band???? @groups. comDate: Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 10:59 AM

Hi all,Sorry I'm repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is in aweek and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered before...I have a BMI of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), havebeen overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and wouldprefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, reallyput me in the right path.Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips anderosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it doesdeform your stomach too....SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like todecide today...NHT

[Guest guest]

i have a band but if i could do it over again i would go with the sleeve - the band is too much maintenance and the whole port thing was an issue with me - i had mine removed and dont plan on putting on back in as mine flipped and it ended up looking like a deformed 2nd belly button. go with the sleeve. nhtravelor <nhtravelor@...> wrote: Hi all,Sorry I'm repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is in aweek and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered before...I have a BMI

of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), havebeen overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and wouldprefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, reallyput me in the right path.Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips anderosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it doesdeform your stomach too....SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like todecide today...NHT

[Guest guest]

Yeah, I wasn't thrilled with my port either. I have to say, I won't miss it AT ALL. On Thu, Jun 5, 2008 at 3:48 PM, caprise holmes <capriseholmes@...> wrote:

i have a band but if i could do it over again i would go with the sleeve - the band is too much maintenance and the whole port thing was an issue with me - i had mine removed and dont plan on putting on back in as mine flipped and it ended up looking like a deformed 2nd belly button. go with the sleeve.

[Guest guest]

I am getting a little depressed here. I didn't realize there were so many problems with the band! I have had my band since November, and whenever I have an issue I have been able to find suppor here. Lately, all I am seeing is bandsters wishing they had a sleeve! Is no one happy with their band anymore? Is it really that terrible? Hi all,Sorry I'm repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is in aweek and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered before...I have a BMI

of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), havebeen overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and wouldprefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, reallyput me in the right path.Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips anderosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it doesdeform your stomach too....SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like todecide today...NHT

[Guest guest]

Thank you. I think I decided on the sleeve. Talk about midnight decision! My surgery was set on June 10!!!NHT Re: very VERY confused.... sleeve or band????

i have a band but if i could do it over again i would go with the sleeve - the band is too much maintenance and the whole port thing was an issue with me - i had mine removed and dont plan on putting on back in as mine flipped and it ended up looking like a deformed 2nd belly button. go with the sleeve. nhtravelor <nhtravelor (DOT) com> wrote: Hi all,Sorry I'm repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is in aweek and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered before...I have a BMI

of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), havebeen overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and wouldprefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, reallyput me in the right path.Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips anderosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it doesdeform your stomach too....SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like todecide today...NHT

[Guest guest]

No, I don't think that is it at all. There are merely sleeved people posting. That's all.I believe the number of people on this board that have revised to a sleeve including me are.. two.

On Thu, Jun 5, 2008 at 6:10 PM, Sheri Reeves <cooladdict@...> wrote:

I am getting a little depressed here. I didn't realize there were so many problems with the band! I have had my band since November, and whenever I have an issue I have been able to find suppor here. Lately, all I am seeing is bandsters wishing they had a sleeve! Is no one happy with their band anymore? Is it really that terrible?

[Guest guest]

There seems to be a lot of chatter about

the band vs. the sleeve and people confused which one they should choose.

I wanted to weigh in on this topic. I was banded in March 2007 and while

it has not been an easy journey I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I have experienced a rotten US

doctor who has no business being in practice which pushed me to decide to get

my all of my after care in Mexicali…wish

I would have done that from the start. I did not have a good

fill/restriction until 6 months after surgery which I feel has put me “behind”

schedule. And in April I found I stretched my pouch and got to “enjoy”

another month of bandster’s hell. J Even with those bumps, I am glad I chose the band. The

biggest reason for me personally, is it is the least invasive. Another

selling point to me when I was looking into it was it is reversible. But

its funny how that doesn’t matter anymore, because why would I ever

reverse it??? I know I would be back at 372 lbs if I ever got rid of my

band. Another selling point was, for whatever reason, if I need more

food, I can get an unfill. An added “benefit” for me is that

I cannot eat bread, pasta, rice or pizza and thank God I can’t because I

cannot stop myself with those foods!

If I was choosing today I think I would

still choose the band because of its track record, low-to-nil mortality record

and we know its long term effects…..because the sleeve is newer, are

those things known? Don’t you have to worry about stretching the

stomach? Can it be “shrunk” down again with liquids?

These are all things to think about.

No one surgery is right for

everyone. And when making this life altering decision you need to weigh

in on all factors and research very carefully and use that knowledge to pick

what you think will work best for you.

I am not telling anyone to pick one over

the other….just sharing my thoughts and experience.

Nadine

DOB 3/24/07

372(346)/240/size 8

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Bipley

Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 12:14

AM

Subject: Re:

very VERY confused.... sleeve or band????

No, I don't think that is it at all. There are

merely sleeved people posting. That's all.

I believe the number of people on this board that have revised to a sleeve

including me are.. two.

On Thu, Jun 5, 2008 at 6:10 PM, Sheri Reeves <cooladdict > wrote:

I am getting a little depressed

here. I didn't realize there were so many problems with the band! I have had

my band since November, and whenever I have an issue I have been able to find

suppor here. Lately, all I am seeing is bandsters wishing they had a sleeve!

Is no one happy with their band anymore? Is it really that terrible?

[Guest guest]

No Sherri, there are still lots of us that love our bands, have had complete success and nothing to complain about I had my band placed 1/19/07, I had a fill 3 months later, then another fill 2 weeks later, I lost all of my weight on those 2 fills - 95lbs. Then in December I got another small fill (.3cc) so I get those last pesky 5lbs off. That was all I needed. I have been at goal for 7 or 8 months. My life is grand with the band. My husband is talking about getting one too now. When we do IVF to get pregnant in August, I will get a complete unfill and I love the fact that my band will be waiting for me on the other side after I deliver. Then I can start my weight loss journey again. Don't lose hope, people are just doing their research and trying to find

the best option for themselves. For me it was a band and I will not regret that decision, for others it maybe a sleeve.Take care, Cyrena DOB 1/19/07240/141/145start/now/goal Re: very VERY confused.... sleeve or band????I am getting a little depressed here. I didn't realize there were so many problems with the band! I have had my band since November, and whenever I have an issue I have been able to find suppor here. Lately, all I am seeing is bandsters wishing they had a sleeve! Is no one happy with their band anymore? Is it really that terrible?

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cyrena. I love my band, too. I have been reading about your impending ivf. Congratulations and I will be praying for you guys that all goes well! This will be your second, right? Did you get a complete unfill the first time? How much did you gain, if you don't mind me asking?

From: Cyrena Weeks <cyrenaweeks@...>Subject: Re: very VERY confused.... sleeve or band???? Date: Friday, June 6, 2008, 4:29 AM

No Sherri, there are still lots of us that love our bands, have had complete success and nothing to complain about I had my band placed 1/19/07, I had a fill 3 months later, then another fill 2 weeks later, I lost all of my weight on those 2 fills - 95lbs. Then in December I got another small fill (.3cc) so I get those last pesky 5lbs off. That was all I needed. I have been at goal for 7 or 8 months. My life is grand with the band. My husband is talking about getting one too now. When we do IVF to get pregnant in August, I will get a complete unfill and I love the fact that my band will be waiting for me on the other side after I deliver. Then I can start my weight loss journey again. Don't lose hope, people are just doing their research and trying to find the best option for themselves. For me it was a band and I will not

regret that decision, for others it maybe a sleeve.Take care,

Cyrena DOB 1/19/07240/141/145start/now/goal

Re: [Dr-Aceves-bandster s] very VERY confused.... sleeve or band????

I am getting a little depressed here. I didn't realize there were so many problems with the band! I have had my band since November, and whenever I have an issue I have been able to find suppor here. Lately, all I am seeing is bandsters wishing they had a sleeve! Is no one happy with their band anymore? Is it really that terrible?

[Guest guest]

I'll admit, I haven't been reading posts lately, but I happened to

glance and see this one and feel the need to chime in.

I was banded 3/15/07 and I love my band! Wouldn't change it for the

world. I chose the band because it was adjustable, supported

pregnancy, and was minimally invasive (I didn't want ANYTHING cut out

of me!). The fills have been no big deal. I've had three, my last

being in February. I have no problem getting my band checked out

every 6 months and I don't see that as a chore.

Now, I'm not sold on the idea that any WLS is permanent. I don't buy

that the band lasts a lifetime. I don't believe for one minute that

the sleeve pouch won't stretch over time. Having the band has taught

me a new way to live and I know with all my heart if I ever lost it

that I'd be able to maintain a healthy weight on my own. Having

to " work " a little harder with the band (as far as eating healthy and

exercising) has been an absolute blessing!

I've lost 112 lbs. so far, 94 since the day of my surgery. I've gone

from a size 22 to a loose size 8. Although the weight loss is slow at

this point, I'm still losing a little every week. I have no desire

to " get to goal as fast as I can. " Slow is good to me... I have

fabulous muscle tone and I don't have saggy skin (just some stretch

marks on my belly and boobs.. blah!).

The only complaint I have about my band is that I'm one of the

unlucky ones who can eat ANYTHING! Doughy pizza, PB & J's, you name it

I can eat it, and too much of it. I wish I could only eat a half cup

of certain foods, but it is what it is, and I'll deal. Just makes me

try all that much harder.

All in all, if I had to do it over again, hands down I would choose

the band. :-)

Setje

3/15/07

(268)250/156/148

start/surg/now/goal

>

> There seems to be a lot of chatter about the band vs. the sleeve

and people

> confused which one they should choose. I wanted to weigh in on

this topic.

> I was banded in March 2007 and while it has not been an easy

journey I

> wouldn't trade it for the world. I have experienced a rotten US

doctor who

> has no business being in practice which pushed me to decide to get

my all of

> my after care in Mexicali.wish I would have done that from the

start. I did

> not have a good fill/restriction until 6 months after surgery which

I feel

> has put me " behind " schedule. And in April I found I stretched my

pouch and

> got to " enjoy " another month of bandster's hell. :-) Even with

those bumps,

> I am glad I chose the band. The biggest reason for me personally,

is it is

> the least invasive. Another selling point to me when I was looking

into it

> was it is reversible. But its funny how that doesn't matter

anymore,

> because why would I ever reverse it??? I know I would be back at

372 lbs if

> I ever got rid of my band. Another selling point was, for whatever

reason,

> if I need more food, I can get an unfill. An added " benefit " for

me is that

> I cannot eat bread, pasta, rice or pizza and thank God I can't

because I

> cannot stop myself with those foods!

>

>

>

> If I was choosing today I think I would still choose the band

because of its

> track record, low-to-nil mortality record and we know its long term

> effects...because the sleeve is newer, are those things known?

Don't you

> have to worry about stretching the stomach? Can it be " shrunk "

down again

> with liquids? These are all things to think about.

>

>

>

> No one surgery is right for everyone. And when making this life

altering

> decision you need to weigh in on all factors and research very

carefully and

> use that knowledge to pick what you think will work best for you.

>

>

>

> I am not telling anyone to pick one over the other..just sharing my

thoughts

> and experience.

>

>

>

> Nadine

>

> DOB 3/24/07

>

> 372(346)/240/size 8

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherri

Nope, I love my band and so does my daughter! We both have had ours

for almost 3 years with no major problems just the getting used to it

type of things. I have had the same fill for over a year now and it

is still just right! People who are happy with their band don't have

much reason to get on this message board so you don't hear from them

except for an occasional update. Don't worry, if you are losing your

weight, you are in a much better position than not choosing any kind

of WLS!!! Stick to the basics, get a fill (or unfill) if you need it,

have a check up once a year and enjoy your new life!

Best wishes,

Penny from Colorado

DOB 9/26/05

230/145/145

Hi all,

> Sorry I & #39;m repeating myself but I am confused. My band surgery is

in a

> week and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered

before...

> I have a BMI

> of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), have

> been overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and would

> prefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really, really

> put me in the right path.

> Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips and

> erosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to worry....

> but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.

> The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it does

> deform your stomach too....

>

> SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would like to

> decide today...

>

> NHT

>

>

>

> & #32;

>

[Guest guest]

I am banded and I love it! I've had two fills so far and things are great. I wanted less invasive and that is what I got. I don't think that the sleeve would have been right for me but but I can understand some of the conveniences. More power to everyone in your decision making.

O

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sherri, I will take all the prayers anyone wants to give us Our joke is that we prayed as much as we paid for Ben (3 1/2 yrs old). So yes you are right this is IVF #2 for me. I had my first son when I was in college and missed a few BC pills. HA, then when I was ready for babies, I wasn't so lucky We did 7 yrs of fertility treatments to get Ben. I didn't have a band with him so I gained 70 or 80lbs. AFTER him is when I got my band and lost all this weight. If I can stay around a 25lb gain with next pregnancy, I would be happy, happy. I hope that I have learned enough over the last 1 1/2 yrs to use some common sense this time Anyway, thanks again. Cyrena Re: very VERY confused.... sleeve or band????

Thanks Cyrena. I love my band, too. I have been reading about your impending ivf. Congratulations and I will be praying for you guys that all goes well! This will be your second, right? Did you get a complete unfill the first time? How much did you gain, if you don't mind me asking?

[Guest guest]

Sherri

You are so right about Mother/daughter support. Carla got her band 8

weeks before I did ( I went with her for support and was so impressed

I told my husband I HAD to do it ASAP!) She got her first fill while

I was getting my surgery. It worked out great because she was just

far enough ahead of me that I got all her hand me down clothes as she

lost her weight! Now we are both about the same weight so we can

share clothes! Pretty cool. Now--if I could only talk my oldest

daughter into getting WLS...... but she just isn't ready for it yet, I

guess. Are you going down to Mexicali for your fill (or was it

unfill)? Or am I thinking of the wrong person? Anywho...... my point

is that I will be in Mexicali with a friend who is getting surgery

June 26-29. Maybe we'll get to meet?????

Best wishes on you internet business--my daughter in law has one

through EBay and is doing quite well.

Enjoy your journey and best wishes to your daughter--my best friend

had that with her first PG.

Penny in Colorado

Hi all,

> & gt; Sorry I & amp;#39;m repeating myself but I am confused. My band

surgery is

> in a

> & gt; week and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never considered

> before...

> & gt; I have a BMI

> & gt; of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), have

> & gt; been overweight since a teenager (eating disorder related), and

would

> & gt; prefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would really,

really

> & gt; put me in the right path.

> & gt; Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips and

> & gt; erosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not much to

worry....

> & gt; but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.

> & gt; The band appealed to me for there was no organ changed. But it does

> & gt; deform your stomach too....

> & gt;

> & gt; SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina, and would

like to

> & gt; decide today...

> & gt;

> & gt; NHT

> & gt;

> & gt;

> & gt;

> & gt; & amp;#32;

> & gt;

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Sherri

Speaking of enhanced driver's licenses....... When I went down to get

a fill a year ago I had to show my driver's license to Yolanda and she

told me to keep it for my scrap book!!! I have lost 80 lbs. since I

got my license and even in the airports and entering military bases

nobody notices! When I was in Mexicali in March I showed my passport

(which I also have had for about 6 years) and the border guy didn't

even notice the difference!!! And believe me there is a huge

difference! Oh well, I guess I'll just wait until these documents

expire to get new pictures--less bother that way.

My daughter in law has a store for " painted on " antiques and such that

she picks up at yard sales and flea markets. She paints chickens,

country style and primative type of art things. She is pretty skinny

so doesn't need WLS.

Well, best wishes on your weight loss journey

Penny in Colorado

Hi

all,

> & gt; & amp;gt; Sorry I & amp;amp;#39;m repeating myself but I am

confused. My band

> surgery is

> & gt; in a

> & gt; & amp;gt; week and now the sleeve seems to be an option I never

considered

> & gt; before...

> & gt; & amp;gt; I have a BMI

> & gt; & amp;gt; of about 38, am 33 years old (single, no child), have

> & gt; & amp;gt; been overweight since a teenager (eating disorder

related), and

> would

> & gt; & amp;gt; prefer the surgery, if I am going to do it, that would

really,

> really

> & gt; & amp;gt; put me in the right path.

> & gt; & amp;gt; Yes I am concerned of the fills and refills, the slips and

> & gt; & amp;gt; erosions.... with sleeve, once it heals there is not

much to

> worry....

> & gt; & amp;gt; but you will take a bulk of an organ out of you.

> & gt; & amp;gt; The band appealed to me for there was no organ

changed. But it does

> & gt; & amp;gt; deform your stomach too....

> & gt; & amp;gt;

> & gt; & amp;gt; SOOOO confused. I have been corrosponding with Nina,

and would

> like to

> & gt; & amp;gt; decide today...

> & gt; & amp;gt;

> & gt; & amp;gt; NHT

> & gt; & amp;gt;

> & gt; & amp;gt;

> & gt; & amp;gt;

> & gt; & amp;gt; & amp;amp;#32;

> & gt; & amp;gt;

> & gt;

>