Gaining popularity, or was it always this way?

Went to the support group where I had my sleeve done for the first time tonight. Tonight's group was structured a bit differently, it was a clothing swap I haven't gone down in sizes yet, but got two outfits a couple sizes down in hopes that I'll be able to wear them sometime this summer. But I digress...
A bunch of people at the group said to me that if their insurance had covered the sleeve, they would have gotten the sleeve instead. The center I go to only does RNY, band, and sleeve, and I was the only sleeve patient there.
Have you all found that the sleeve has been gaining popularity, or has it been popular for a while? I know around here insurance companies are just beginning to cover it, not sure about elsewhere though. Thoughts?

I think the sleeve is now gaining popularity. My insurance company does not cover it, and I was freaked out about having my stomach removed, so I didn't push the issue.  But I do know that more and more people are getting it these days. 

on this forum 5 or 6 years ago ( maybe even longer) is where I initially heard of the sleeve and found a lot of info....from there I researched more & decided it was the surgery for me.... However, my insurance didnt cover it at the time and I didnt have the money to go to Mexico ( where many patients at that time seemed to be going)

Fast forward to now, my insurance covers it and I still didnt maintain any weight I lost over these last few years....  I almost feel like I wasted time ( I know I didnt since I didnt have the money)  but Im grateful that the results Ive heard about in that time only confirms that I have picked the right surgery for me.

I think the sleeve is slowly gaining popularity, though many surgeons are still saying that rny is the "gold standard".  When I was in the hospital, the nurses told me that they're seeing more sleeves.  My guess is that as more and more insurance companies approve of the sleeve, we'll see that surgery increase.  I also have seen posted here, a few times, the text of a presentation at a bariatric conference talking about the sleeve and DS as looking like the WLS of the future, as preserving the pyloric valve is key in avoiding re-gain.  More locally, a co-worker who had rny, and her husband went to her WLS program's support group, where the surgeon presenting said that if he had to have WLS, he'd choose the sleeve.  It will be interesting to see the trends over the next few years.

From my own experience, here's what I've seen...This forum has exploded with new members and moves three times as fast as it did 2 years ago when I joined.  That means there are ALOT more people on it and getting this surgery.  When I went to my first support group at the doctors office, it was an even split between sleeve and rny patients - now when I go, almost all the new patients are sleeve patients.  It is definitely growing in popularity.

Deb

The sleeve has definitely gained popularity this past year. When I went to a support meeting 2 months ago, most of the attendees were sleeved... and I must say... they were the ones who have been the most successful too.

 No one in my support group has had teh band since I joined 13 months ago, and there's been 1 RNY, the rest sleeves and band to sleeve revisions.

I had never even heard of the sleeve until I went to my informational, now I hear about it everywhere.