This is my blog diary of my weight loss journey.
The reason I named it "Driving Sideways" is after the Aimee Mann song, "Driving Sideways." I like all kinds of music but the lyrics in this song in particular always made me envision being in a car. "Thin Everleigh" driving and "Fat Everleigh" reclined in the passenger seat.
I've always felt like a thin person underneath the weight.. the thin Everleigh I was supposed to be. I allow my fat unhealthy Everleigh sit back and do nothing and continue to guide me wrong (while assuming no responsibility for where I end up.)
I'm trying to drop off Fat Everleigh at her destination and continue down the road with just the thin me driving the car and making decisions.
The reason I named it "Driving Sideways" is after the Aimee Mann song, "Driving Sideways." I like all kinds of music but the lyrics in this song in particular always made me envision being in a car. "Thin Everleigh" driving and "Fat Everleigh" reclined in the passenger seat.
I've always felt like a thin person underneath the weight.. the thin Everleigh I was supposed to be. I allow my fat unhealthy Everleigh sit back and do nothing and continue to guide me wrong (while assuming no responsibility for where I end up.)
I'm trying to drop off Fat Everleigh at her destination and continue down the road with just the thin me driving the car and making decisions.
Band or Sleeve?
Posted 11-06-2009 at 01:35 AM by everleigh
I mentioned before that Lexie, my only friend I've told about me getting bariatric surgery, told me that she heard the "sleeve" was better than the "band." My gastroenterologist said the same thing and wanted me to look into it and talk to the surgeon about the sleeve option.
I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients.
She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently.
She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him.
I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate.
Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!)
SLEEVE
Pros:
1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.)
2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal
3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results)
4. No "bandster hell"
5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure.
6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me.
Cons:
1. No way to fix or reverse at all
2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail
3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies
4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later.
5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately.
6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.)
BAND
Pros:
1. Reversible/removable
2. No removal of anything
3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon
4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs.
5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history.
Cons:
1. Possibility of infection of band OR port
2. Regular followup and fill appointments
3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot.
4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.)
5. May not solve my hunger issue.
6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes!
7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again.
8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.
I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients.
She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently.
She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him.
I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate.
Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!)
SLEEVE
Pros:
1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.)
2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal
3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results)
4. No "bandster hell"
5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure.
6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me.
Cons:
1. No way to fix or reverse at all
2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail
3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies
4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later.
5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately.
6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.)
BAND
Pros:
1. Reversible/removable
2. No removal of anything
3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon
4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs.
5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history.
Cons:
1. Possibility of infection of band OR port
2. Regular followup and fill appointments
3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot.
4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.)
5. May not solve my hunger issue.
6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes!
7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again.
8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.
Total Comments 3
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Hi there. I'm due to have the sleeve and have been waiting for a while now for a surgery date. Having read your blog, I must admit I've never heard of the follwing:-
1. Faster weight loss. From what I've learnt the sleeve is currently running almost on equal par in terms of weight loss with the bypass. However, do note, men seem to lose weight a lot faster. 2. The part of the stomach which stores the hormone ghreline is removed. Hence less hunger pangs. 3. Higher success rate than what? 4. There are none/less chances of complications with this surgery i.e malnutrition or dumping. Staples/leakage is probable with most of the WLS's 5. It is possible to stretching your pouch whichever surgery you have. Your dietry requirements are very much the same as those who have had the Bypass. 6. For me the key thing about this surgery was that it did not require for my intestines to be re-routed; less time in theatre; having to take a great deal of vitamins for the rest of my life; and less chance of complications after surgery. Also, when you're sleeved, you are likely to eventually be able to eat the same food as before, but you're restricted with the amount of food your able to eat. This surgery is suitable for people who tend to eat too big a portions and is a restrictive surgery. I tend to eat large portions of food before I'm satisfied, but I do not snack during the day and tend to miss meal times, ie. lunch, dinner time and tend to eat late in the evening. When I get hungry, then tend to over do it. I know it's difficult to decide on the WLS in the first place but I wish you every success in whichever surgery you finally decide on. Good Luck. |
 
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Hey hychap! I'll try and answer your questions/comments.
The two seminars I attended did not say the Sleeve was faster than Gastric Bypass. Since I am not a candidate for GB and won't have the GB option, I only intended to say that the Sleeve apparently has faster weight loss than those who got LapBand. That's what I was told- I can't guarantee that it is. I didn't get the impression that the Band wouldn't be good due to slower weight loss. It was just something to note. Sorry for any confusion on that! Most of my "information" is also what I learned from the seminars, the counselor, and what I've found online. I'm in no way any kind of expert on WLS.  The success rates I was given in the seminars were pretty similar. They were success rates for GB, the Sleeve, and LapBand. GB had the best success rate, then the sleeve, then the Band. So if I were to choose the sleeve over the band, according to the statistics we were given in seminar, I should theoretically have an even better chance of losing all my excess weight. The ghrelin hormone is really part of why I'm starting to really lean towards the sleeve over the band. I like the idea of the band but think that this decrease in ghrelin may solve a lot of my issues. I'm glad you mentioned the staples and leakages being probable with most WLS's. That's kind of what I was thinking too but when making my little personal list of pros and cons, I put it on there. The stretching of the stomach/sleeve post WLS is definitely something that freaks me out a little. You're correct, from what I've read, it's possible no matter which surgery you get! The dietary requirements is the part I really am interested in hearing more about. My nutrition appointment is in a few days and I can't wait to get more knowledge on that. I'm already on vitamins for life from another medical issue (completely non-weight issue). The thought of having to take medicine or vitamins or regulate certain things in my diet doesn't bother me in the least. Since becoming vegetarian in the last year alone has caused me to have to be organized about things more than before. I love the line you wrote about when you're sleeved, you're likely to eat what you did before but restricted with amount- I feel like that's the kind of stuff I need to know about. The honest truths of what to expect. Thank you for that. I'm also an over eater from portion size. I snack though too. I've told several doctors that I truly believe there's something wrong in my body that makes me feel hungry all the time. Doesn't matter if it's pizza or vegetables.. I'll overeat whatever I've got to eat. Thanks for your comments! I hope I addressed all of them. Thanks for the support too!!!! |
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Good Exchanging info. Thanks.Hi there hope all is going well. it's good to share information isnt it.
Have you not found since making this decision to have WLS - you start to anaylise your own eating pattern. I hear you when you say you think something might be wrong with you, but I'll take a gamble and say I bet there is not. What I came to realise was that I am addicted to carbahydrates, potatoes, mashed, roasted, boiled, chips etc.; bread, ooooooh bread, soft bread, crusty bread in all forms; bastmati rice; yams etc. What I've come to learn more recently is that when you eat carbs. you will tend to get hungry quicker - or just crave more food. So imagine you've had a Chinese meal, (full of carbs), it's not that long before you feel like you could eat something again. So carbs actually has you going back for more. Now think about the stuff you tend to eat - do you fit that pattern. If so, then there is nothing wrong with you. Its just bad habits we have formulated over the years. I spoke with one of my surgeons the other day and he told me that what we eat after surgery is different for everyone. Some people can eat as before and others have problems being re-introduced to bread - which is understandable as bread actually swells in your stomach, so could cause some difficulty for some people. Do let me know if you find out any other new facts. Hyacinth |
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Recent Blog Entries by everleigh
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