Having 2nd thoughts about getting the sleeve vs Lap Band

I am scheduled for surgery on Dec. 9th so I'm getting close, but now the doubts have started to creep in.

My doctor said he would recommend the sleeve which I was good with until I started seeing all of the photos of

excess skin, extensive plastic surgery, etc. It really took me back to reconsidering the Lap Band because I understand

the weight loss is possibly slower and therefore I may not have all the excess.

Any thoughts?

Slower weight loss will not "solve" the problem of excess skin.  If you lose weight, and you're going to have excess skin, you're going to have excess skin.  It's based on your body, genetics, age, how long you've been obese, and lots of other stuff.  Not speed.  

And you could not pay me enough to have the lap band.  Every single person I know who has had the band has either needed a revision or has serious complications.  I found out that the receptionist at my podiatrist's office throws up every time she eats solid food due to her band, and she's 5 years out or so.  I can't imagine living that way.  There are so many complications with the band and even though there's the claim that it's "removable," the harm that it can do to your body is often irreparable.  Like I said, you could not pay me enough to go the lap band route.  

Excess skin is much more a factor of age, weight at the start of your journey, and genetics than the pace you lose it.  To me it seems a lower priority thing to base your surgery type on; much more important are things such as the potential for problems in the future (such as scarring/erosion of the stomach), the statistics on band patients who get revisions or have the band out, statistics on excess weight lost (EWL) and so on.  Most of us have excess skin to deal with.  I'd rather have that than excess fat.  The way I look at it is, you don't come back from where *we've* been without souvenirs, LOL!

Haha at souvenirs!  Love that line! 

After not being able to have the sleeve due to GERD and the beginning of Barret's Esophagus, I had to choose between the gastric bypass( RNY) and the lap band( Crap Band). As I am a little older, fatter and higher pulmonary and cardio risk than most, so naturally I asked my surgeon about the band. She said, quite truthfully, for every one I put in I take two out. That made RNY an easy choice.

Ok, I am rarely this blunt so please know i am saying this with only good intention- that is a terrible reason to not have the vsg compared to the lap band. I don't care how slow you lose weight- a deflated balloon is a deflated balloon. I know you may not be thrilled about the idea of loose skin, but I can attest to the fact that it is far, far better than being super fat. Go with the vsg, get the weight off, and don't worry about the skin. Remember, it is about improving your health. You will also look better even with the loose skin!

Thank you to all *****plied. I had no idea I would get such honest and compelling feedback so quickly.

I guess that was why my physician chose the sleeve for me and I should trust his judgement.

Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Jon

Hi Jon,

Trust these answers.  I had the band, lost 80 pounds, and the baggy skin was there.  I was very active, exercised and all. It does not prevent the skin sag.

Don't do the band.

Thanks Karen. Looks like I received some wrong information about the band not causing the baggy skin.

Much appreciated.

Jon

I discussed with three different surgeons before settling on mine. None, including mine, put the band in anymore at all. And from over three years of reading on here and seeing how many folks have serious problems and revisions from the band, like Gwen, you couldn't pay me enough to have it. There are some very successful bandsters and some who will defend it to their death. Granted. And there are some who have complications from all surgery types also. But the stats speak a very clear story any way you slice it.

and loose skin you will have if you are going to have it regardless of how you lose weight with or without surgery, fast or slow. It is a function of your skin, age, genetics, etc. nothing to do with the surgery.