SylviaMom

Debbie...heart goes out to you. I had the same thing happen. Dr. Aceves, my surgeon, says the likelihood of a leak is as high s 30% but that I could minimize it with a bypass instead. I have no interest ina bypass so trying to prepare for a worst case leak scenario.

Any self-pay folks have a leak emerge while in Mexico and if so, did they keep you there and treat the leak, or...did they simply send you back to the US for treatment? If anyone didn't pass one of the leak tests, what do the surgeons do? Do they reoperate? Thanks.

That's so peculiar. It must have been an oversight or maybe there was adhesion around the port that made it unsafe to remove?

Thanks donnieJ. Did they have to reoperate to manage the leak or to stent it? It's great to hear that you would do it again despite the leak.

I am a fan of Aceves and his entire team. I was down there for a revision in June but since my band was eroded, I will have to wait for the sleeve. I am planning on heading down in December. When I was down there, another gal was there to support her mom during surgery. A year ago, that same gal had surgery...she looked great and trusted Aceves so much she brought her mom. I was there alone and felt very safe and well cared for. Everything was spotless and care is top notch.

Hope you are doing well! Dr. Aceves' crew is fantastic. The chicken broth is the best.

LOL! Now your a trophy wife. Hey hottie!

Thank you for the important reminder! So glad you are on this forum.

Would love to here from any former banders that had an erosion from the band and whether you have had any leaks or other complications since your VSG. Thanks in advance!

Great news. Here's to a speedy recovery and a lifetime of health!

Thanks all for the great advice.

Hi folks-, did any of your docs use any special techniques, tools or devices to minimize leaks? Since I had a previous band erosion, I am at higher risk and want to explore all methods to minimize those nasty statistics. Thanks in advance!

I just got back from Mx. I went alone and also had a band. Unfortunately because I did have an erosion, the were only able to take out the band and I will have to come back after several months for my sleeve...and my risk of a leak is much higher because of the previous band and now, especially because of the erosion. But, it sounds like you have an experienced doctor( I went with Dr. Aceves) and will have tons of support in Mx. This will be fine. You owe it to yourself to get the band out...it is a ticking time bomb in my opinion and you owe it to your kids to be healthy enough to see them grow up...which will be hard to do at 400 pounds. It's scary but lots have done it safely and have success stories to tell. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you!

So I had an eroded band just removed. Doctor suggested a bypass will minimize risk of a leak for a revision and that I might have as high as a 30 percent chance of a leak if I get sleeved because of the location of the erosion. Of course there will be things Dr. Aceves will do to minimize risk (including enlarging the sleeve in the vicinity of the erosion) but I am wondering what exactly it means to have a leak and how a leak is fixed....is is a chronic condition, will I die, will they just reopen me and patch me up? Anyone have a leak and survive to tell the tale? For those who have had leaks, would you do the sleeve again, regardless? All I know is that the bypass seems like a bad choice for me for a lot of different reasons.

I am pre op ( band removal and waiting for my stomach to heal for the the band) but what I do know I'd what a role food plays in self soothing. Whenever things are rough for me, my best friend (food) is always there to make me feel better....but that "friend" is just a crappy crutch who got me into this mess in the first place. Find people you love like friends and family and let them envelope you in their love. Also, do something great for yourself instead...like a pedicure. Also, check into getting fake eyelashes...they are the BOMB. You are already a fox but with those flirty lashes, you'll bring all the boys to the yard. Not that you need the boys, but the attention might be nice and will remind you that the it's the stupid boys loss...and that you can do better. Either way, good luck and be kind to yourself. These things do happen for a reason.

Thanks Joyce. I appreciate the support and hope you are soon safely on the losers' bench. At first I did a lot of crying, but the food addict in me is thinking about having a final hurrah when I recover and then back to a low carb Atkins thing so I don't balloon up. Honestly, I am just glad to have that horrible piece of junk out and am on my way to healing. It's a longer journey than I expected, but what can I do?

Hi. I am sitting here in Mexicali. I am a revision too but my band was so badly eroded I will need to come back in a few months for my sleeve. that's disappointing. But the care here is second to none and the staff here is fantastic. They clean and clean the facilities and they are courteous and warm. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my closest friends or family here. I will of corse be back when I can get the sleeve after my tummy heals. The majority of the drive is in the U.S. with ten minutes in Mexicali. Mexicali is actually a fine city and feels quite safe. I walked before dinner the day before yesterday with no issues. Since the driver picks you up and drops you off, you are never alone on the streets unless you chose to be. It's super safe and I feel safer here then in most big cities in the states. But, mostly I appreciate Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campo (who is a total cutie and sleever too), and the lovely Blanca.

:-) fabulous. Congratulations!

First, congratulations on 50 pounds, that in itself is a huge deal. I was talking to a gal who was sleeved a year ago and she mentioned that it's all about carbs. Try cutting out carbs for a week and go back to low carb, high Protein drinks. I bet you'll break that stall and be back on track. I really believe carbs, especially simple carbs are the death of me and just make me hungrier the more I eat. Either way, good luck and congrats on what is already a big accomplishment.

Oh another question...for self paying two steppers, did they charge you more for the joys of two surgerys and if so, how much more ( if ya' don't mind me being so forward)? Thanks.

I've had the crap band for 9 years. Long story short, it sucked because it discouraged eating healthy foods but allowed me to eat sliders (chips, ice cream, rice, Pasta, and anything greasy or saucy). I just woke up from revision surgery yesterday and was told I would need to wait 3-6 months for my stomach to heal before i can get the sleeve because the band had so badly eroded my stomach. It is not just a piece of crap, it is a dangerous medical device which should be taken off the market. I know...admittedly, I'm feeling a little bitter right now so forgive the rant.

Hey all. In Mexicali. Doctors and staff here are lovely and better than expected. Went into surgery yesterday for a revision ( band to sleeve). They removed the band but because it was so badly eroded and slipped, they were not able to perform the surgery. They will need 3-6 months for it to heal first. Ugh...another surgery. For those who have had to do this two step process, what was life like between the two surgeries? What will life be likes getting out of here in the short term? Did folks gain a lot of weight in the period in between? Wht did you do to cope while waiting? Thanks for any words of advice. --Heartbroken in Mexicali

It's funny that getting your period is a NSV....but I agree it would be. Having irregular periods since my mid twenties, a little regularity in that department would be good. Thanks for the post. It's all the little things that make it worthwhile.

GasX comes in strips or chewables...and walk. Hope you feel better soon!

Yeaaaa! NSV!