Lap-Band to Sleeve

[lauriearnold 40]

I have had the lap-band since 2006. I have stalled on the weight loss for about 2 years now. Got me a new doctor and he found my stomach had prolapsed through the band. The band has to come out. My insurance has denied the surgery revision. My questions are should i do the lap-band to sleeve in one surgery if possible? Has anyone went to Mexico and have this done cause i have been in contact with them and their price is $8500 while my Dr in the States is going to be $17,000. I'm really scared to go to Mexico in case i get home and have problems, there is not a dr around here that would touch me or look at me unless i went to ER. That scares me. I have an appt with my surgeon next week to talk about this but wanted some input. Is my weight going to be slow after the reversal? I've heard so many people say their weight was very slow. I work out in the gym with a personal trainer 2 hours a day 6 days a week and i am in school to become a personal trainer, nutritionist and sports therapy.

[Cody's mom 247]

Why won't a local doctor help you if you went to Mexico for surgery? I'm from Canada, and when I told my doctor I was going to Tijuana all she said was make sure you come see me when you return for follow up and request your records to bring back. Most Doctors won't like that you're going else where, but it seems unprofessional to deny you help when you return.

[lauriearnold 40]

my family doctor would prob watch me but he doesn't really know alot about these surgeries. He helped me get the lap band but when you go to Mexico here and have something done the dr's in the US can deny seeing you. Most dr's around here will NOT see you if you've went to mexico unless you end up in the ER

[Cody's mom 247]

I've read on here somewhere about many people going to Mexico and having a doctor to go to when they return, and many from the US. If worse come to worse, if you need advice, just go to the emergency everytime you ahve a question, they might then offer you a doctor to run to when you need advice or concerns.

[lauriearnold 40]

i've talked to my family dr and he said he would do his best to watch me but as for a specialist...no, i would have to go to a ER to get help. I'm more concerned about going to Mexico then i am a dr right now. I've got 4 friends that have went and they're doing good but it still scares me going to Mexico. I would like to cause it's cheaper but i worry about something going wrong since i have a prolapse and not sure how much scar tissue i have.

[nowornever14 36]

Hi Laurie

Sorry to hear that you have so much trouble.

I have my band now for 10 years (2004) and for the last 5 to 6 years it is basically open, since I had horrific GERD and other problems. I now made the decision to get it removed and it was suggested by my original surgeon to revise to a sleeve. Which I first did not want but now decided to go for. I am having a different surgeon since mine retired and I did not want to pay private for the revision ($23,000) I am Canadian as "Cody's mom" above and the revision is here paid by our Canadian healthcare. So I am not much help to you in that regards but your question about the two surgeries in one:

There are basically two different positions on this. One is that it is no problem to do the surgery in one procedure, as long as scaring and damage done by the band is not too bad. Which my first surgeon would have done.

The other position is to do the band removal in one surgery let a few months go by to heal and get in for the sleeve in a second surgery.

The second option is what our hospital where I will go usually stands by but since my surgeon agrees with me that especially for me since I suffer from Lupus the revision done in one surgery would be more suitable for me.

I have read many posts and researched on the internet and have found as many if not more positive comments on doing it in one surgery not only from patients but from surgeons as well.

So I think it is a matter of opinion and both can be done.

If you are healthy and as mentioned before your band did not do too much damage, doing the procedure at once is no problem.

As for doing it in Mexico. There are a lot of people on this and other forums who had it done there and most of them are very happy, You just have to do proper research on where to go and make sure when you come back you have a good support system with your family and friends and since your family doctor is so supportive I would not be worried too much, because he always can make sure to monitor you and if you feel something is wrong go to emergency.

Try to find posts on here that refer to sleeve in Mexico and you might be able to get in contact with other sleevers from the US who could help to answer some of your concerns and questions.

I hope this helps.

Keep us posted

Edited August 22, 2014 by nowornever14

[lauriearnold 40]

thank you so much nowornever14. I have been doing a lot of research for the past couple months. I have 5 friends that have went to Mexico and are doing great. My husband comes back today, he works off shore on the oil rigs and is stationed in Malaysia so i'm going to talk to him today when he gets home. I have been in contact with the doctor and his nurse a lot in Mexico and he has done a lot of revisions. i just worry i'll be the one that ends up having problems. But he has started doing it in 2 surgeries where my dr here in US said that if there wasn't much scar tissue he will do it all in one. the difference is the money. Mexico is $9000 for removal and sleeve all in one or 2 trips and here in US it's $17,000 and that's self pay. I've read a lot of comments here on bariatric pal and another bariatric site i found that i've been talking to and researching. i'm just kind of confused right now.

[Cody's mom 247]

Not that this is really a deciding factor, but this surgery and all related costs should be income tax deductable in both Canada and the US.

[nowornever14 36]

Laurie I came across quite a few posts saying they got the full coverage of their band/sleeve revisions in the states. I really would not give up that easily. Just be a persistent and stay your ground. I am not sure where I had seen all the posts about covered revisions but if you do a Google search or a search on bariatricpal.com gastricsleeve.com I am sure you will find enough materiel to make your case.

[mermaiddreams 8]

I went to Mexico for my band removal and will go for my sleeve in 6 months. The amazing doctor Guillermo Alvarez in Mexico. I recommend him. Amazing staff and the experience and care was fantastic. Susan who lives on Texas will be the connect person. Research but you won't find a better doctor. I can't wait to get sleeved. Very happy the doctor said he wouldn't sleeve because of the amount of scar tissue.

[denisestevedr 1]

I also just came back from Piedras Negras with Dr. Alvarez and he removed my band but said I would have to wait 6 months. I was really disappointed but I know it is for the best and you are right, no other better doctor, who really cares for his patients. Looks like we will be there around the same time. I hope all goes well.