vickie6866

I know from my past experience that under no terms would I ever have a lapband again, because there were way too many problems with mine. I was offered the Ds but when I got there they didn't want to do it at all or I'd prob have it today. I think the main reason that they didn't want to do it was because Dr. Almanza needed a second doctor to do it but he wasn't available to assist, the reason being that the drivers left me at airport for hours on end with no pickup so by time I arrived the doctor was prob gone home for the day. I am happy with the re-sleeve so far I have lost 25pounds, and really only need to lose bout 15more and then maintain. I talked with previous pts that had the DS and had done well but I think it all has to do with the second doctor being ready to assist in surgery. Someone like you would be a complicated surgery to switch to DS, why can't your pouch be made smaller. I wish you luck, and pray that a solution comes for you soon.

Misty, thanks so much for your prayers that is best thing that anyone has ever done for me. I am doing great. When I got there doc didn't want to do the DS so I just got the resleeve. He said before surgery that the area of stomach where previous lapband was could be too big, but I am not sure about that cause my band was removed six months before first sleeve in states. I have lost 20pounds at six weeks post-op and my sleeve is now working like everyone elses does. I have more restriction and don't feel hungry all the time, I just pray that these postive things cont. Thanks again for caring enough to checkup on me. Vickie

I am going back to Dr. Almanza on Feb 27th for a resleeve and poss. duodenal switch. My coordinator told me that when Dr. Almanza did the gastric bypass and duodenal switch he was always assisted by Dr. Ponce de Leon. I saw his name a couple of times on here last year when I was first researching the gastric sleeve, but I didn't pay much attention because he wasn't the doctor that I had chosen to do my surgery. Any information that any of his previous patients could give me would be great because my surgery date is coming up soon and I want to know how is going to be helping with my surgery if I chose that route.

the title of your post screams you are indeed blaming the surgeon. No reasonable person would conclude otherwise. Sorry if others thought I was trying to be "unreasonable" or was trying to "scream" anything with my title. I was only trying to draw attention to the fact that I had a failed sleeve. I named the doctor because I was hoping to talk to any of his previous patients that had went through a similiar experience. I was wanting to talk to these patients because from the way I have been told that the resleeve will be done it is a different technique from other doctors and would be one that only his previous patients would be familiar with. I am not trying to assign blame but just seeking all the information that I can get before I go in for another serious surgery. So far I have only talked with one of the previous patients who went through the same think as me, and that was a great help so I was hoping to built on that knowledge. This board has been and continues to be a great source of information for me as I make lots of hard decisions about my healthcare. I want to thank all those who have been a great help with these issues, wish me luck and keep me in your prayers, I"ll update after I get back from Mexico.

I never said I was blaming the surgeon because I am going back to him on Feb 27th to have this fixed with either a resleeve or a resleeve with a DS. I have always been able to eat more than I felt I should and have been hungry often, and this was something that I shared with the doctor and his staff early on. I am sure that after having had a lapband removed that I had scar tissue and I am thinking maybe some of that has something to do with the out come of my sleeved stomach shape. Yes I do know what to eat and how to exercise because I had the band for year before and was sucessful with it, it was removed due to numerous port flips that lead to and errosion and then band infection. I didn't come on here for a lecture, if you read my post again you will see that I was just venting and hoping to find someone who may have wen tthrough a similiar situation. Thanks to everyone for the words of incouragement and care and for answer the questions that others have had.

I was told that more staples would be put at the top part of the stomach if needed.

I had a lap band that was removed in the USA in 2010, then I had a sleeve done Jan 2011 with Dr. Almanza in Mexico. During the first six months I lost a total of 40lbs but during the last six months I have gained back 20pounds. So now I am a year post-op from my sleeve with only a 20 pound weight lose to show. I can eat quiet a bit and I am hungry often. I have been in contact recently with the doctor and all that was offered was a resleeve or a resleeve &DS. I know I have to have something else done if I want to move forward with my weight lose but I am so frustrated and mad at times. Now I am having to pay about the same amount again to have a second sleeve when I thought the first one should have worked. The corrdinator said that this has happened in the past with a couple dozen of his patients. I feel so cheated but I must continue forward and try to fix whatever is wrong. Is there anyone who has had a similiar experience who would like to share with me.

If you don't like this doctor you might also want to look at Dr. Sonnanstine at Georgetown. He is great, he treated my complications with my lapband when the bluegrass doctors refused me because I had the band placed somewhere else. Later he removed my lapband and would have done my sleeve but insurance would not pay for it so I was a selfpay in Mexico back in Jananuary. I love the sleeve. Good luck in your journey, and if you have any questions e-mail me.

I had the sleeve with Dr. Almanza on 01/10/2011 and I am doing great. Don't know anyone who's had the plication with him, there was a patient who was scheduled for one the day after my surgery but after meeting with the doctor he changed over to the sleeve and did great afterward too. The clinic you will be in the first 24 hours after surgery is very small and in a strip mall setting, and I would think you daughter would have too hangout in the upstairs lobby where there are couches if she stays becasue there did look to be any extra space other than patient beds. I was in a room with another patient and we had a small walking path between the beds and a recliner at foot of bed so she could crash there. If the recovery house isn't full she would be very comfortable there if you are okay without her for that one night. She coud stay unitl you wakeup from surgery and then the driver would take her to the house and you would join her the following morning. The recovery house is a small condo/house in a gated community that has a total of ten beds in four bed rooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, and small sitting area, outside there is a small uphill street with a small patio off side of house. The beds are for patients first and if there is room the family members get one, if it were a busy week she might not even have a bed but a place on a couch, there are two small ones in the sitting area and another in the four bed suite. Everyone was like a big happy family when I was there, and the housekeeper/cook fixes big meals and will fix anything you like if you send out to buy things you like by one of the employees. The only time I was out in the car was when I went to have my leak test xrays done, we were scheduled to go out later that evening to shop but plans fell through, the drivers are very busy shuffling patients to and from san diego and to and from the clinic and test. I only tipped the driver who returned me to the airport for an early departure, he picked me up at 4:30am. Either location of the hampton inn is great because they offer the most hours of free shuttle service to and from the airport at around $90 night. Everyone associated with Dr. Almanza was great, very friendly with huge smiles, and everyone works very hard for the job they each have. Hope this helps, if you have more questions feel free to send me a private message. Good Luck.

Don't worry I am sure you will look smoking hot. I have been fat and then skinny many times and I must say the skinny me is super hot and the fat me is barely passable. You are doing a wonderful thing for yourself so move forward with all the excitment you can find, and never look back. Just think of all the great clothing you can wear when you reach your goal weight. I know for me I'll have to sell a kidney to afford that new wardrobe I'm going to need.