Fatty McFatster

Yay!!! That is awesome news! Congrats and Good Luck!!!

Hi Henry, My wife is already working with Ana and I think I have decided to have my surgery here in the US since it will only cost me $1,200 to $1,800.

Thank you Ana. My wife has been corresponding with you through e-mail about her upcoming surgery in Mexico and you have been a real pleasure talking with!!!

After insurance verification with the hospital here at home, I am probably going to have my surgery here on November 20th. I will only owe about $1,200 to $1,800 total for the lap band to gastric sleeve revision, so that saves us about $3,000 over me having it done in Mexico. And also, if my surgery is here and my wife's surgery in Mexico, it will give us a chance to compare the surgery and recovery processes and share that information with others in order to help them. I am interested in seeing those differences (both pros and cons) firsthand as I will also be accompanying my wife to Mexico for her surgery.

Thanks guys!! I appreciate you all taking the time to respond. Lots of great info and support of Dr. A, which is making my decision even harder. Lol.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice?

I am having a REALLY hard time choosing between having my band to sleeve revision surgery here on November 20th or in Mexico with Dr. A. Would love any input from others. I have so many Pros and Cons for each that my mind is just tired. If I go to Mexico I could have it with my wife the exact same day and we would be side by side every step of the way on this journey. However, I have already invested my time, emotions, and money (about $800) into having it here in the US. I am also VERY impressed with Dr. A in Mexico. We talked to him on the phone via FaceTime a few days and I was VERY impressed with him. When have you ever talked to your doctor on the phone? Personally, I have never talked to a US doctor on the phone in all of my 38 years. That was just a big eye-opener to me. He was so friendly, intelligent, and a joy to talk with (even though the call was with my wife). But on the flip side it is a little nerve-wracking to travel to another country to have such a major procedure done...and I won't be able to be right there waiting for my wife to come out of surgery if I am also undergoing the surgery the same day. So, we can't really take care of each other and help each other if we are having the sleeve done the same day. Another Pro to having it here is that it will be run through my insurance, so we have a few months before we get the bills AND we can then setup a payment plan. In Mexico it would all be due the same day...and even though it is much cheaper than here in the US it is still a lot of money to come up with all at once. I am also already a little envious of how awesome the BariatricPal Mexico team has taken care of my wife in regards to e-mails, phone calls, questions answered, etc. I don't get even 10% of that kind of specialized treatment from my weight management team and surgeon here in the US. And once she has had surgery and spent time in the recovery house I have a feeling I will be 100% envious of how awesome the Mexico team took care of her and I might even possibly regret having it here in the US...and I don't want that. Well, I guess I have done enough rambling. Just having a really hard time making the decision on what would be best for me and for us. So, if anyone has any advice I would much appreciate it. Thanks for listening.

I have been VERY impressed with Dr. A in Mexico and I think you made the right decision for you!! Congrats and good luck!!!

Good luck everyone!!!

I lost 115 pounds during the first year that I had the band. Unfortunately, I slowly started gaining the weight back and complications eventually forced me to have the band emptied (and I gained all of my weight back). On November 20th I will be having the band to sleeve revision surgery. I would LOVE to have the same weight loss during the first year as I did with the band, but I am thinking it will be slower this time around. I would still be happy with 1 pound a week though because at least that would have me headed in the right direction.

I'm on November 20th!!!

Thanks so much for the support and vote of confidence bellabloom. I really appreciate it!!!

Hi Fatty, what made you take the step band to sleeve? I had my band out in May 2015 and I am gaining weight like crazy but I just can't make my mind up to go the surgery route again. Gaining weight like crazy (due to complications with the band forcing it to be emptied) is exactly the reason I am having the band to sleeve revision surgery. I know that I can't do it alone (or I wouldn't have gained back so much weight), so having the sleeve as a tool to help me is the best option to meet my weight loss goals. Surgery isn't for everyone, but it is definitely something to consider. Good luck to you no matter what route you take!

wow!! Lots of great advice!! Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. You don't know how much I appreciate it!!!

Thanks so much for the support!!!

I'm so excited!!! Any advice??

I will be on a 2-week liquid diet. Still trying to decide which protein powders to go with. I'm unable to give any advice about sleeve surgery, but have a great need to say that your final question is the wisest of all. It tells me you'll be a champion. @@Fatty McFatster, it's easy to say, but true: You can do anything for two days. Best wishes to you. Thank you. That is very kind of you to say!!

November 20th for me. Good luck everyone!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That looks delicious. So glad to hear I will still be able to eat a small piece of steak after surgery.

Thank you so much for the reply. Lots of great info!! What did you do for your pre-op diet? And good luck to you!!!

Thank you...and yes I am.

Thank you so much @@Fat2Phat2016

After completing all of the requirements and recommendations, I now have a surgery date of November 20th. Woo hoo!!!That is awesome!!! Congrats!! Thank you. I am glad you are back on the right track! Good luck!

Alright, I am having my lap band to gastric sleeve revision on November 20th. I would love if those that have already had the revision or the gastric sleeve to help me out. What do I need to do/purchase in order to be fully prepared? What Vitamins do I need? What Protein shakes/powders, etc? What items should I take to the hospital? What other advice would you give me? What did you wish someone had told you before you had surgery? Any and all help, opinions, and advice are welcomed.

I now have a surgery date of November 20th.