*susan*

You are most welcome.

If you would like more information, feel free to PM me and I will be happy to get the process started with Dr. Illan for you. Sent from my iPad using VST

We have lots of openings for Dr. Illan between now and the end of the year. If you are interested in having surgery with him, just PM me or post here requesting additional information and I will be happy to get the process rolling for you. Sent from my iPad using VST

Just want to let everyone know it isn't too late to get in on this great September deal, if interested, pm me here or go to wwww.MySurgeryOptions.com for your quote now!

Anesthesia, yes, flight, no. Sent from my iPad using VST

Glad you had such a good experience! Sent from my iPad using VST

Chill out people, and return back to the OP's subject. If you really feel the need to continue to argue, then take it to pm. Sent from my iPad using VST

It's already September 1st, time to schedule for this special now!

That was really not called for.

Not a nurse, just a regular "Joe" here, lol. I originally had the band, and had it done in the US. My insurance didn't cover it, but I had received a small inheritance that just covered the cost of the surgery. When my band started giving me problems, I knew I had to have it out and revise to the sleeve. I had spent a great deal of time on the forums, doing research and felt very comfortable in my decision to go to Mexico. Price wise, it just made sense. And, when doing my research, I actually found most of the surgeons were just as well trained and experienced, if not more so, than many of the US ones. As far as the risks, everyone has to be realistic about this, it doesn't matter what type of surgery you are having, there are going to be risks. This isn't minor surgery we are talking about. What is important is that you do your research, talk to actual patients of the surgeons you are considering and weigh the risks against the benefits. For me, I knew there were risks for complications, but, statistically speaking, they are rare. I was borderline diabetic, my weight was causing additional stress to my back problems to where just walking was becoming difficult, and there was a strong history of heart disease in my family. My chances of death to complications from obesity far outweighed the risks of surgery. To me, it was a no-brainer, I needed the surgery. In terms of when a doctor loses a patient, well, here are my thoughts. It saddens me when that happens, it is awful for the family, and everyone involved. However, I think if you honestly look at it realistically, there aren't many surgeons who have been in the business for any period of time that haven't lost a patient. And, no, I am not just referring to weight loss surgeons, I mean surgeons in general. It is a fact of life, complications happen, deaths happen. We don't like to talk about it, but they do. When a surgeon loses a patient during heart surgery, gall bladder removal, cancer surgery or any other type of surgery, people don't freak out about it like they do with weight loss surgery. They don't all converge on a forum and discuss it, etc. They don't demand to know all the details, etc. To me, it is like they are oblivious to the fact that the same complications and risk that can occur with general surgery also exist with weight loss surgery, and are shocked when they discover they do. I am not saying we should ignore it when a weight loss surgeon loses a patient, or turn our heads the other way. I am just saying we need to go into this with our eyes wide open and understand the real risks involved. Do your research. Don't accept everything you read on a forum as fact, because let's face it, we all know one piece of misinformation can be put out there, then everyone else runs with it in a panic and the next thing you know, things are blown way out of proportion and nobody really knows the truth or who to believe. Call the surgeon directly. Speak with his patients who have already had surgery with him/her. Ask for their complication rates. Google them. Then, make your choice based on your own research, knowing you have learned everything you can, you have weighed the risks against the benefits and are confident you have made the best choice for you.

I hear ya girl, I had such a hard time those first few right after my surgery, I remember sitting in the bathroom forever and crying because it hurt so bad and it made me bleed. I started taking Milk of Magnesia every few days and it did wonders for me. I can offer you this, it does get better once you are eating more regular.

What type of diet does your surgeon have you on? At this point, you should probably be coming off of clear liquids and getting ready to move to full liquids. Are you being careful that when you drink, you take very, very small sips? You cannot and should not be drinking large sips, or you will have trouble keeping anything down. My best suggestion is, if you are unable to keep anything down, you need to contact your surgeon and relay that information to him/her. First off, there could be an underlying problem that your surgeon needs to know about and check, and secondly, you are putting yourself at risk to become dehydrated, which can lead to several other problems.

Four years out and if I miss just one day of my Prilosec, I have miserable acid reflux. I think some of us are just destined to have a problem with it, but I consider that a small price to pay for all the benefits I have received from my sleeve.

Ha ha, I had to laugh, it won't be long now until you see your "girl" and so much more!

That is such wonderful news, I am so happy for you!!

Yay, congratulations to you! That is exciting news.

Everyone, please remember to be respectful of one another. OP, to definitively answer your question, yes, it is possible and people have had success with it.

Some of the doctors charge more as they have been around a lot longer and are considered pioneers of weight loss surgery, taught many of the other doctors and therefore feel they can command a higher price. However, Dr. Illan is an amazing doctor, as you can tell by some of our patients posts about him, and is every bit as competent and a wonderful surgeon.

I am so happy to hear how well you are doing, we are here if you need us at any time!

I am so glad you all had such wonderful experiences!

I had to sit on a donut cushion last week. (: Sent from my iPad using VST

Clearly I missed something... Sent from my iPad using VST

Good luck, you will do great. Check in with us as soon as you feel up to it. Sent from my iPad using VST

Hi Rosa, that is normal for loved ones to be concerned. Has she been to visit your surgeon with you? If not, see if she would like to go with you and then she can direct any specific concerns she may have with him/her, that right there often helps alleviate their issues. Also, if your surgeon has a support group, perhaps she could speak with some of his patients who are post-op and once she sees how well they are doing and how happy they are, she will understand why you have decided to go that route and be more excited and supportive of you. In the long run though, she is mom, and moms worry about their kids no matter what; but that's okay, because it means you are cherished and loved. Sent from my iPad using VST