hakunamatata_ca

Has anyone got any information on these doctors? Experience with VSG with them or otherwise. Please send me personal message if you want or post to board. Thank you I do know about the 2003 Medical Fraud charges for verboonen

Ok so I'm sure this will go over like a lead balloon with you but I want to set the record straight. I have been doing research on info from the boards for awhile now and have spoke to 10 VSG patients of Dr.V recently as well as the person you are referring to. She says a few things to quote her; Yes, I did have some serious complications with the VSG surgery.....it was an unfortunate situation but you need to know that Dr. V and Dr. Ponce took extraordinary care of me while I was having these complications and did not charge me a dime post surgery. They fixed me and I have maintained my normal body weight for 1.5 years.... In January I went back to Tijuana from *** just to see Dr. V, Dr. Ponce and all of the staff. I have deep feelings for these Dr.s and their staff. I received incredible care during my stay at their hospital......His staff and the nurses at the hospital where he operates were were wonderful....the care that I received was like nothing that would EVER happen in the US.........they were so wonderful that I went back a year later just to spend time with them.... They cared for me, met my EVERY need until I was strong enough to go back to **. They took care of every minute detail of my recovery and my trip home......they followed up with me weekly or more often for a year....They never abandoned me.....They had an interpreter stay with me 24/7. I have asthma and when I was having problems with breathing they brought in the most incredible Respiratory therapist to treat me. I received respiratory treatment that I did not know existed and I worked in health care for 20 years.... They brought in specialists who were incredible and worked as a team to make sure they didn't miss anything........My challenge to you would be to find medical care like that in the US. I spoke to only one person about my surgery and the complications. And that was a year and a half ago......I did not post anything about my experience on the boards. NOTHING...........So it disturbs me that this person whom I have never met and had limited conversation with would distort and bash my Dr's and their staff...... Given she had zero details. This is a situation that I have no control over. I can't fix her damage. But I can tell you that Dr. V and Dr. Ponce are dedicated to their patients and stay with them during this journey. I did not respond back to this person because she seemed to be a person that exaggerates. Yes she did try to contact by e-mail and phone but I did not respond because I didn't want to deal with her drama...... I also know that she promotes this Dr. In Mexico... That she is saying these terrible things horrifies me....I am alive and well. You will be in good hands with Dr. V and Dr. Ponce. I truly hope you do not delete this post or me. Just thought you'd like to know she is alive and well as you said you didn't know.

I am surprised the Sleeve is not covered because it is in Ontario Canada if you qualify and Canada is generally last at accepting things like that. However there is a wait list to even see doc for a year they told me and I don't qualify with BMI 36 - must be 40+ unless co-morb's which I don't have. They don't however cover the Lap Band - I kinda see why since there is so much aftercare in some and that would get costly for them rather than a one time thing. Good Luck to you:smile2:

I am actually heading heading to MX for VSG on 27th. I don't qualify here with BMI of aprox. 36 .. I don't want to gain weight for it and have no co-morbities (YET) They are about 1 yr to get an appointment to even see them. I don't have that kind of patience so I guess I dole out the cash.:rolleyes2: Anyway really excited .. What is the Duo - Switch ? The sleeve isn't supposed to stetch much at all. Of course you have to learn to exercise and eat good in the mean while. I do eat well just too darn much!

Oh wow - sorry to hear that. Was your doc sick? Did they re-schedule you? Did you have to travel or was it local? If that happened to me I'd be in trouble going so far from home and taking time off work etc. I sure hope it gets re-booked for you quick!

Wow Shatzie - they decline because it's experimental? In Ontario Canada they even do it through the Health Care system if you qualify (I am not willing to wait 2-3 yrs on a list though) My BMI too low for them right now at 36. If they do it here (Canada seems always last) I am amazed they won't (Where are you from?) Keep trying - Band is the one not covered here.

Thank you - I hope I have will power too - not so good in the past for sure. I love smoking in one way and it's my crutch for sure but also hate it in another way. Good luck with your band and I think the more attempts at quitting the more likely you will eventually succeed. I have the love for smoke and food too

Very nice on the quitting! Congrats! You didn't use anything for help either. I have stocked up on some nicorette and patch but don't have my head into quitting too much yet. I hope that changes. I am hoping that with restriction on eating I won't be able to nibble as much if not smoking and using gum etc. Congrats on reaching your BMI target too. I can't wait to get done April 27 - sleeve (VSG) I have friends who have quit for 2 and 3 yrs and picked it up again - that is so discouraging. My kids would be so happy if I quit - they hate it which I am glad they do. After 30+ yrs it's my crutch. Good luck to you and WTG on your successes.

Why do they say carbon beverages cause the pouch to stretch and you can't have them any longer after surgury? Is this for all the surgury's? I am trying to understand why it stretches the pouch - does it do that before also? I am having VSG so curious if they mean for the band or VSG also? Thanks )

Thank you all for our responses! VSG is an option other than the band which is what I am doing. It is a Vertical Sleeve - part of the stomach is removed and the muscle part of the stomach is left "sleeve" making your stomach smaller. No re-routing of inners like Bypass. You will see a number of people that have started with the band and gone to the sleeve but I am just going right to the sleeve. Banding is definately not an option for me. The Carbon thing relates to a pouch so I wondered if it was also for the sleeve.

My friend is waiting until next year for her VSG and having her Hip done in a month instead. She doesn't want to go through 2 surgury's and figures her hip should be first - she is a nurse and has to work. She uses a cane now and has had both knees replaced also in the last couple of years. Maybe your doctor could be the best advisor on that but just sharing some information.

Good luck - and congrats on the new start ! I'm not far behind you.. I don't feel nervous now but I know I will and I have had surgury before so it's normal. You will do great!

You should ask for a cut rate deal on the sleeve from him. I think he will be very very supportive, since he knows your putting in the work and you will be a walking in office success story. I agree with this. No fills after and you already eat well and excercise so it will just help the hunger and no need for a port etc. That's what I am going to do. Too many stories of band issues for me and going to revisions. Could get very expensive then. Something to think about anyway - good luck.

Heading to MX on April 27 - so excited to get this done. :drool: When do you go? Holy 90 grms - should be fun. shakes will be a good choice I think for some of that.

I need to know that too !! Great timing ... good luck on your surgury. How many grams of protein a day are necessary after surgury? I don't want to loose hair etc. What about vitamins and I guess Nexium will be on that list.

Nothing wrong with councelling help for this or anything else. I have had one for along time and I just vent or whatever and always feel so much better after. I go once every few months and get the stresses out hahaha I really want to try Yoga. I hear it is amazing for stress and flexibilty etc.

When people have thoughts of "why I wouldn't put some laminate down on my plywood floors or replace my crappy windows rather than spend it on my sleeve - I AM DOING THIS FOR ME! I really think you need to feel good about yourself 1st and other things will fall nicer into place :drool:) I AM DOING IT FOR ME! Why do we tend to do for others and put ourselves at the back of the line? Not any more - I AM DOING THIS FOR ME!

Oh Great! so what am I going to do after I get sleeved end of month and get my sex drive better when I am single...crap! lol Guess I'll have to get my butt back out there and find me some! ;o)

Oh ya I know the pocket numbers and the deep cleaning or "root debriment" PAINFUL. I have had that a couple of times to try and get the pockets better and it's worked but what has saved me as I am not a regular flosser is my ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH! My gums are doing awesome - dentist very impressed how well my gums are healed now. I swear by it! I never got to go to a dentist until 12 yrs old then sporatically after that as I had no coverage. I do now and the visits are much easier now. Exposed roots from gums receding from not flossing are the most painful thing in the world I think :drool:

In Ontario Canada you get 12 months paid maternity or paternity leave. This can be shared or split if you want between parents. I think if it's the same job it's the same pay. Benefits where I am are paid 50% self 50% by company until after 2 yrs they pay all. You don't have to take them at all if you don't want to therefore not having any deductions either. The only difference I personally see is that if he is the one mainly available on the "on call" stuff - he should be looked at for promotion over her for sure. I am sure woman having the childrens would switch places with the man in a heartbeat! Someones gotta do it. I wish I could let them have a period for a month or two also..:smile:

i also told i'd rather gain 50 more pounds and be happy then be a miserable skinny bitch! that seemed to shut her up pretty quick. skinny bitch without a brain no doubt - nice one

I have read positive and negative on this and what I find most disturbing is the put downs to others on their decisions. I think we all are here to read and get information but it sure comes across nasty here from some. I also see it seems ok for some to speak however they like and others get threatened to be banned for nothing. Something is not right here. This should be a nice place with all of us having common goals and speak like adults here but people have to defend themselves ? Hello - this is a support group - opinions are what we want for sure but this doctor slamming, is it really necessary. Make a point but don't make it so personal to the person questioning. I am not referring to myself so far but to what I have been reading and it actually makes me not want to say much because of these reasons.

I am in the same boat here. BMI 35-36. I am going to schedule my VSG soon. I don't want this to get any more out of control than it is now. I can't imagine being larger what I would do. I feel like that now with abilities to do things like putting on socks or reaching to wipe :smile2::grouphug: Unless I can be stretched out instead this weight has just got to go! I am just too short for my weight ) I just need to come up with the cashola now! Canadian money doesn't go far these days. :welldoneclap:

Did you get this figured out? I am in Ontario but closer to Ottawa. The flights are triple to go from here to San Diego and they pick you up from there. I will go from Syracuse for sure when I can get $$ figured out to go.

Hi Stephane - I am not banded but getting sleeved sometime in near future. I do however know all too well about depression and staying in and eating crap all too well. CWM is right - one thing at a time. You did this for you not others and are going to feel amazing in the near future. Councelling is great to keep up - I go and even if it's to vent it helps. I would find out about your fill if it's due again or what? I'm sure no one here was always perfect with what they ate but start each day as a new one and even mild exercise at home until you get down abit helps mobility and strength a lot. Don't give in because I see all over this board the sucesses of everyone and it is good to read and post for motivation too. This will help your depression too. I really feel for you but I know you can do this one day at a time. Keep posting and reading. Look for some quick healthier ideas on food here too. Everyone here has a story that can help you in this journey. You are worth it!