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I did like him but hated the drive for aftercare, and, and complications. The drive was bad from Eugene, but to Bend no way. Dr Hughes was wonderful in taking on my fills when we moved here, and just continued my care when I had further complications and revision.

Congratulations to you both!!! I know you are excited to join the losers team. I wish you a complication free surgery and a speedy recovery. I can't wait to follow your progress.

Well I am packed and ready. Having another popsicle before bed. I am not nervous, but waiting for it to hit me. Please say an extra prayer for me and my fellow surgery buddies tomorrow! Hope the others that are going in tomorrow have a very easy, complication free procedure. Can't wait to hear from you all! Good Luck!

like some others, I wouldn't worry too much about the bedside manner reviews. Surgeons jobs are to cut. After they're done, you'll likely be dealing with other clinic staff for your follow-up appts (dietitian, likely a PA or ANP, etc). It's hard to say whether the complications comments are due to her skill or would have happened anyway.

I am filling out the surgical consent form and as am reading it mayor doubts and worries arise. I do not have high blood pressure nor any medical conditions. I ask myself if I really tried hard enough? What if I get complications? What if I don't loose the weight? what if?...what if? WHAT IF? I am super scared and in need of prayers. I count with all of your support! Thank you for your time.

I would check with your insurance and see how many days they pay for. It sounds like that is the situation. The insurance companies dictate your care, it is not right but they do. It is my opinion but I think you need at least one probably two nights in the hospital. I also believe in leak tests. As much as we would like to believe it is not, this IS major surgery on a MAJOR organ. Have you found out how many of sleeves ( not just WLS) your surgeon has performed? What is his complication rate? How many end up in the ER the next few days following surgery since there is no hospital stay or leak test? A leak will cause an infection, an infection will cause your tempature to rise. I monitored mine for a month after surgery. This post is not to scare you but to make you aware of some questions to ask. All surgeons are different, some do not think you need a hospital stay. I would insist on being monitored for at least one night.

I am too far away to consider going back to Mexico for fills or even a post surgical check up.. I live in SW VA and am 5 hrs from any major airport.My complication thoughts, in truth, were ones years down the road, not soon after surgery. Seems as if when there is a rare complication I always seem to get it. I also have a lot of autoimmune issues so I am a little leery. I read, I think on his site that Dr Aceves only does people 56 or younger. Anyone know about that and if it is so?

I can't offer much, I'm only 10 days post op but originally that is what I wanted. After research I decided against the band due to complications, always getting fills, and having a foreign object. The first doctor I went to was opposite as yours. I wanted sleeve by that point he suggested band but was willing, I found a new surgeon as the only reason was band was that surgeon's specialty. I researched alot on here and after my initial thoughts band was never an option. Keep reading and be sure to ask the people who had band to sleeve revision Also to had there are success stories with the band for me though sleeve was the better option.

1 night. I was so happy to go home because I could not rest in the hospital. It felt so good to sleep in my own bed. I had zero complications.

So I guess this works as double duty - an introduction and a (kinda) question. I am a Registered Nurse...a very fat nurse! And I've been that was (fat, not a nurse ) for almost 13 years. I've done diet after diet. Acupuncture, moxibustion, hypnosis. HCG to the point I got gallstones. And each year, my weight just keeps climbing. I'm ashamed to say that the only significant weight loss I had was after I had met the love of my life, and then lost him...(but later found him...and my lost weight, grrrr!). I have stereotypical PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome (hello, black hairs on chin - I grow an impressive beard!), so that has exacerbated my weight issues. I started seriously looking into bariatric surgery 6 years ago, but didn't like the available choices of RNY, DS and then LapBand. Over the intervening years, I decided to try to get a LapBand anyways. I had one of those insurance companies that required a 6 month supervised diet, consults, etc...I jumped through all the hoops, found a surgeon I liked...and then he quit! Left private practice to accept a teaching fellowship. I was very bummed. So I figured this was my clue to try dieting again. So I went back to more failed, frustrating dieting. About this time, I was diagnosed with diabetes, which complicated matters even more. After nearly a year, I decided to go the LapBand route (again!). All my previous tests had expired, so I had to do the 6 months supervised diet and consults again...then got turned down by insurance due to an exclusion...the appealed and won!...set a surgery date and then got very, very ill. The chest xray that was done the week before my surgery showed a shadow in my lungs, so I had to see pulmonary, etc. Turned out to be nothing, but by then my precious "vacation" days from work were wasted and I had to go back. I felt ashamed and defeated, and just gave up on trying to lose weight altogether. Here it is, 2012, and I can now add hypertension, high cholesterol and tryglycerides and hypothyroid to my medical litany. And finally in January, I said....enough is enough. I'm going to make this happen! I'm 5'8, 310lbs....what would I advise a patient to do in my situation? So I called my insurance and found out that they do not cover bariatric surgery for any reason. ANY. I'm trying to not make any rough comments here, but it's terrible that I am an RN, I devote my life to the health of others, and my company has specifically excluded dietician visits for weight loss, weight loss plans and bariatrics....wtf?? But I digress. After realizing that I would get no help from insurance, deciding to self-pay was the least difficult choice. My darling husband (the aforementioned lost love who was later found ) had a RNY over 2 years ago with wonderful results, and has been very supportive. I've spent the last month researching my options, and have decided that Dr Aceves is worth my time and money. His track record and reviews have convinced me that Dr Aceves is the best choice for my new sleeve and new life. And here is where I come to the crossroads. My family is totally unsupportive of bariatrics in general, and Mexico as a whole, so I will not be telling them. The can comment ad-nauseum. I'm still pondering what to tell work - I work in a very tight-knit facility with only a handful of nurses, and my role is such that my absence for even 10 days will be sorely missed (when I fractured my foot in December and I was gone for 2 days, it was mass chaos!). I really, really don't want to tell my boss WHY I need a week and a half off, so I'm trying to figure out how to be creative. The problem I was NOT anticipating, was needing to find a new primary care physician. When I told my MD what my plans were, she began to tell me how I just needed some willpower, and that she could not support me going to some "back alley hack" in Mexico. She then implied that she would refuse to assist with my follow through care, and that if I did indeed go to Dr Aceves for a sleeve, I would need to find a new PCP. So I'm stuck on these two things - work and finding a PCP who will be ok with my having weight loss surgery out of country. Argh. I have not set a date for surgery yet...I keep thinking I need to try to get time off first and then try to make a date, but what if one's not open....? I can't afford to lose my job, too many bills! But I need to regain my health. Getting through every day at work is like running the gauntlet, in more ways than one. Anyways, sorry to ramble. I just want to add what an inspiration it has been to follow along with everyone's progress with their sleeves - I've been reading this forum for quite a while! Thank you so much for your help on my own journey -Asche, The Crazy Cat Lady

My surgeon only required 2 days liquid only diet before surgery. I had surgery 1/6 and have lost 17 pounds since. Everything went great. No complications. I was 217 at my pre op and I'm only 5ft 1" so I was just at 40 bmi. My surgeon did not give me a number I had to be at for surgery.

I wouldn't. I live in Canada and our healthcare system pays for this treatment for obesity. Also, the news here are quick to point out the people who have come back with complications. Now, our healthcare system does pay... but I had to wait 2 years. It's a first come first serve system. Waiting can be anywhere from 6 months to 7 years + depending on where you live in our country.

I choose the Lap Band because of all the positive information I found on it. I love my band, I have been banded now since 3/31/09 I can not see my port nor can i barely feel it... I really think what the previous poster said refers more per persons body... and im a size 10/12 so thats pretty good. My port also has never hurt a lot of people complain of that... and i have had no complications, no PBing and i can eat what i want in moderation... It really is a personal decision.. i have heard the realize band is a newer band??? In my opinion they all do the same job so pick whatever:D

I'm 8 months post op 85 lbs gone total. No complications...not even nausea. I just felt like I had done hundreds of sit up the first few days after surgery. Word of advice. Stay away from slider/bad for you foods!

I would love to find others on FB that has had the surgery, my only problem is, only a small handful of people know about my surgery, and I cant risk it getting out to some family members on FB, so i have not spoke openely on FB about it, some day i hope i will be able to do that..its just complicated in why i can not speak about my surgery to some family..

Just an update for my wife phoenix79, all is well and she had a textbook sleeve operation. The Dr said she had the perfect anatomy for a sleeve surgery which I think translates into a successful post op experience. I think we will get to go home from hospital tomorrow. This is a much better experience then my sleeve, exactly 1 year ago. Two days in ICU and the 2 more days recovery from small complications before allowed to go home. Thanks for wishing my wife well.

My doctor here in the States agreed to do the followup labs and referred me to a dietician (who was very little help). I had no sutures or staples to remove so no real post-op care. I had no complications but would have gone to the ER if I had. I asked trivial questions on this forum (like when does burping stop) and for more serious questions I emailed my surgeon's office and got an answer the same day.

I like that last statement. So true! Congratulations on your weight loss!! That's amazing. My negative side always seems to take over. I'm not scared of the surgery. I've had several before. I know it is more the complications after if they happen because I'm self pay and I think. "oh Lord, what is something happens and no one will take care of me because I can't afford it and insurance won't pay because they didn't pay for the surgery to begin with.??"... That kind of thinking consumes me. Thank you though. Getting these positive comments helps me so much!! I love this forum and love reading all of the success stories of the people who have made it. God Bless!

Imagine for a moment that someone handed you a plan. Their promise - "If you follow this plan for twelve to eighteen months, it will change your life." Not maybe. Not possibly. It will, beyond any shadow of a doubt, change your life. The laws of science and the universe simply cannot be denied. That was the basis of my decision to have RNY. I had done endless research. I read everything I could find. Without exception, the most prestigious medical organizations in the world all said the same thing - follow this plan and in the absence of rare and unpredictable complications, you cannot fail. The science is irrefutable. The science is conclusive. The results are well documented. This line of thinking does three things: It gives you a tremendous boost in your confidence that you are making the right decision. It places the responsibility for success (or failure) squarely on your shoulders. It forces you to examine the strength of your commitment. How bad do you want it? When you believe, truly believe, if I follow my plan I cannot fail, there are very few challenges that cannot be overcome. When you want it bad enough, failure is not an option. I followed my plan. And it changed my life. Follow your plan. And it will change yours. You're gonna love the new you!

Current thread from a poster with complications, surgery done in Mexico. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/297213-i-had-a-small-leak-now-all-hell-has-broken-loose/ Her surgeon, who has done a lot of folks on this board, is in touch with her and is trying to mitigate things, but what a mess when you have different teams in different countries trying to sort things out. This is the atypical scenario for Mexico sleeves, but, it is a real possibility that complications will happen, and the ability to deal with the complications is hampered when the original doctor is in another country. Just something to think about and frustrating for everyone all around. I feel for this woman.

Are you planning on going out of the country? Is the insurance offered through the doctor or something you found on your own? I know there are a couple of Mexico doctors who offer insurance for post-op...you might get more information on the Self-Pay Mexico forum. I had surgery in Mexico but haven't needed anything other than my regular medical insurance post-op. I also checked prior to surgery and my medical insurance does cover any complications, should I have any, from the VSG done out of the country. ~Kat

Do you know if your surgeon requires a one week or a two-week liquid diet? I don't think you're doing it for "no reason". The fact that you're willing to jumpstart the process shows how serious and committed you are. You'd be surprised by how many people aren't as motivated as you are. That's a good sign that you are going to be a big success story! My surgery was tentatively scheduled before I was approved, too. Insurance companies often say they take weeks to approve you, but often the turnaround is much, much quicker. It only makes sense for them to be conservative with their approval timeframe. At times, there may actually be a backlog of paperwork awaiting evaluation. My paperwork was sent in on a Friday, and I was approved on Tuesday of the following week. The doctor's insurance person/staff tends to know which carriers take longer and which don't. I have UnitedHealthCare, PPO. I think it's great that your doctor's office got you locked into for that date. How disappointed you would have been if they had required approval first. What if the approval had been received in time, but your surgery date had been given to someone else. On my surgery date, my surgeon had two other patients. I was number three in his queue. Ask if you'll be his/her number 1, 2, 3, etc. The smaller the number, the earlier you have to show up for surgery. The first two cases ahead of me turned out to be complicated cases. I was tentatively scheduled for 12:30pm, but ended up on the table at 5pm. I was slightly disappointed, until I asked myself, "Hey, would you want Dr. S to rush his surgery with you just because someone else was anxious for their surgery to begin?" My answer was, "No."

I understand your concerns. I talked with my surgeon, because after reading lots of information, I had decided that I did not want the smaller bougie sizes. I was anxious about an increased risk of strictures, possible osteoporosis from overly rapid weight loss, GERD, and difficulty eating some foods. He laughed when I told him that I did not want a stomach the size of a Bic pen. (He had not seen the photos comparing bougie sizes to pens and markers until I brought them to my appointment.) Anyway, my surgeon said that he typically uses a 40f to reduce the risk of those problems (although he was willing to change that if I wanted him to)--but what he also explained to me in a diagram, is that the bougie is used to determine the size of the upper portion of the sleeve, but that you still have a small "pouch" type area at the bottom that is larger than the bougie size itself. He said that there is a lot of surgeon judgement that affects how this area at the bottom of the sleeve is measured/shaped, and the amount of food it will contain. So even though the bougie size is important and causes you to feel restriction when you eat, the bougie size alone is not the only thing that determines the stomach's capacity. Some surgeons use the smaller bougie sizes in hopes of improving weight loss/reducing the risk of regain. Those things are important to me and I would love to be thin, but at 54, I am equally concerned with overall quality of life issues. For me, a 40f was a reasonable choice that would reduce my anxiety about possible problems. It's possible that at some point, I could wish he had gone smaller, but at 10 weeks, I am satisfied that my surgeon did a good job. I am eating small, but satisfying amounts of food. I haven't had any problems with reflux/acid (and I'm not taking a PPI). I'm losing satisfactorily--and would lose more if I were exercising more. I advanced my diet slowly, and thankfully, I haven't found any foods that I can't eat comfortably. I don't think it is unreasonable to be concerned about aging issues. For me to get adequate Fluid intake, I have to pay attention/work diligently to drink 64 oz a day. Alzheimer's runs in my family--and watching my mother last week made me very much aware that she would not be able to "sip sip sip" all day. At this point, she's doing well to know when she needs to go to the bathroom. It may be that some aging people with gastrectomies do very well, but I don't think there is enough research for us to know how this may affect those of us who develop problems with dementia/Alzheimer's. I had to make a judgement call. Is it better for me to be slim and be able to enjoy the years immediately before me, while taking the real risk that it may complicate nutrition/hydration problems if I develop Alzheimer's as I age...or is it better for me to stay fat and miserable now, so that I can insure my ability to eat and drink at some point when I am older and may not even know my name? For me, it was an easy choice. Let me LIVE now, and if I have to be rehydrated with IV fluids when I'm older because I can't remember to drink fluids, then so be it.

Hi-- I have read a little bit about some WLS being done robotically and wondered if they do lap bands with robots-- or just the more complicated surgeries? Has anyone had a robot performed surgery instead of the more traditional surgeon hands on surgery? And if so, would you kindly share your experiences. Thanks