Lost my lap band this week....

So sorry you had to lose it like that, that stinks!

I don't know what the restriction level is with the band, but with the sleeve- it's normally about 2-3 (measured with dense protein) in the beginning, and moving up to about 3-5 oz dense protein or less (depending on the length of your stomach) at full maturation- about 12-18 mo out. Soft foods of course will have less restriction.

You may also want to chat with some members of the VSG maintenance forum for some real information on the long term life. The portion of the stomach remaining is the muscular lesser curvature or the non-stretchy part, so generally other than the initial dilation that happens when healing what you have at a year to two years is what you'll have for life.

Here's a great video to watch, worth it even if you have to open a new browser, it works with IE5 or above. Good luck with whatever revision you chose!!

http://www.ssat.com/video/2008/SSAT%2049th%20Annual%20Meeting(3)-Cirangle.htm

 Thank you so much for the info and video! I am leaning very heavily towards the sleeve, and honestly after all of this, kinda wish I had been able to go with that from the start. 

I am going to check out the forums you suggested.

So sorry that you lost your band.   If I ever had to have a revision (hopefully I never will), I would go with the sleeve.   Good luck in whatever decision you make.   How are your kids doing?
Amy

 Hey Amy, I am leaning very heavily toward the sleeve, it just seems like the right choice for ME at this point. The kids are doing alright, the big kids have been amazing through this whole ordeal, really helping out and doing everything they can for me. The baby however is taking this whole thing pretty hard, he is just too little to understand why I can't hold him or pick him up when he wants me too and so he is acting out and has even regressed a bit (crawling instead of walking, not using words, pitching a temper tantrum about everything, even trying to crawl into my lap to nurse even though he has not nursed now in about 4 months!). Hopefully once I get back to normal, he will too, but for right now it's hard going with him. 

so sorry you have had so much pain & hope you heal fast and can cuddle with your baby again. that's the sadest thing I ever read!  hugs to you.

Courtney -- I am so sorry you have to go through this.

I hope that you heal quickly.

My doctor prefers Band to VSG revision usually (rather than Band to RNY).

Do you have a local WLS group you can go to -- to talk in person with people who have RNY and VSG?

Do your research, trust your own intuition and keep us posted so we can support your decision.

 Since it looks like you still have 75 pounds to lose, you might live the RNY malabsorption.

What ever you decide, I hope it works out well for you.