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I had complications with my gastric plication from OCC in Mexico (nausea, not surgeon error), and I also had to have the lap band that they placed during my plication revision removed in an emergency surgery here in the states (not due to surgeon error though). I saved up and now I'm getting sleeved here in the United states, but I have heard good things about Mexicali bariatric center. With that being said, the care I recieved at OCC was very good, and the facility was clean! And Dr Ortiz has great bedside manner, the sleeve patients when I was down there were practically bouncing out of bed right after surgery! Just email them and theyll get info to you ASAP

Hi, I had my surgery In December 1st 2009. At that time it cost 13,950.00. That encludes everything. You have to put down a small down payment if your self pay like 250.00 if I remember correct. I really like Dr. Ballenger. He is a great Dr. He's not real talkative, but does an exellent job. I've had NO complications what so ever. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I wouldn't change a thing. I've lost 48 lbs in 4 months. I am not looking for super fast weight loss. My progress maybe slower than some, but I'm very happy with it. My Insurance did not pay for my surgery. I was lucky enough to have inheireted enough money from my beloved Grandfather to pay for the surgery. He would have wanted this, and I know he would have approved. They do have a payment plan, but because I didn't have to use it, I don't know much about it. But if I had to do it that way, I would, no doubt. It's worth every penny. My husband would not hear of me going out of the country, so I had to give up that idea. Best of luck to you !!! Judy:blush:

My surgery was almost 5 weeks ago, but due to several complications I'm just now being advanced to mushy foods...very limited one's at that. Tonight I went to visit with my parents and they had made a big batch of vegetable beef Soup. I decided to double strain it and have some of the broth. I did, and OH MY WORD it was delicious. It felt so wonderful to taste food that was familiar to me. I had forgotten how much I missed that. The Protein shakes are getting old and when I have broth or strained can soup it tastes just like the can..bleh! Yay for my mama's soup!! I'm going to bring out the crock pot and I see lots of soup in our future.

Hello Everyone. I started tbe gastric sleeve journey in Dec. March will be month 3 for me. My insurance requires a 3 month doctor supervised weight management program. I am extremely nervous regarding complications with surgery and long term complications. In Dec., my weight was 249, today it is 244. I am 5'3" and in good health. My mother is over weight and a diabetic which is why I began this journey. My husband is supportive. I have not told anyone outside of my husband and my sister. Not only am I afraid of the surgery but I feel as if I don't need the surgery because I don't have health problems right now. Has anyone else experienced these feelings and if yes how do you overcome these fellings? My Doc has been helpful in answering my questions but my mind is saying "He has to answer your questions because he and the hospital will get money for you agreeing to have surgery and for no other reason. " Thanks for your help, Happy Teacher

Been hovering in this forum for a couple of months, just felt I should join today. I was banded on Jan 30. Had no complications or pain. I'm already on mush/soft foods because the doc said I was doing so good. Lost 32lbs since the pre op diet until today. Feel really good and already have lots more energy.

Jewel, A website dedicated to the concept of "food addiction" is not where I'd go for reliable information on such matters. I will always maintain you cannot be addicted to something your body requires to live. You may be emotionally "addicted," but unless the definition of "addiction" changes to "needed for survival," you're not physically addicted to food anymore than you are to oxygen. Everyone, It's very telling and interesting to me how many people have "mourned" the loss of eating large amounts of food... and I was VERY harshly judged here in another post because I have used Intuitive Eating for the past several years and do NOT get weighed. However, I can say with absolutely certainty that I am mentally far healthier than a lot of you who've had this surgery when it comes to my relationship with food. I love food. It's delicious, necessary and fun! And it should be fun. IE let me learn that... before IE, when I was yo-yo dieting I was MISERABLE. And what I realize now is that while, yes, some of the misery came from struggling with the scale and trying to figure out ways to eat what I liked - and what my stomach could tolerate - without going over my Points or calories, what really made me miserable is the fact that food was ALL I EVER THOUGHT ABOUT... ever. Now, I eat more healthfully and consciously than I ever did when I dieted. I rarely binge and I rarely eat to a point where I feel uncomfortably full anymore. My concerns about the surgery, despite what many of you seemed to assume, have NOTHING to do with not being able to "pig out" or being a "food addict." On the contrary, I think mentally I've never been in a better place to have a surgery that would prevent me from "pigging out." However, dieting forces food to be the center of your life. And, at least in the beginning, based on your stories and my very extensive research, that's exactly how it is after WLS, too. It HAS to be that way because you have to train your body to eat in a bizarre and unhealthy fashion - because sorry, but 800 calories a day is NOT healthy. It's starvation. Medically supervised & created starvation. My husband was very opposed to this surgery from the moment I mentioned I was considering it. He's terrified of me having a surgery that DOES kill. People die from WLS (and yes, any surgery)... either during, or after because of complications. He felt that it wasn't worth risking my life to MAYBE extend it. Because, let's face it, there are no guarantees. And particularly this type of surgery... it's still so new that there's not a lot of historical data yet to support it will extend your life. I've talked to many people since I originally posted this who had complications so severe that they do regret it. One girl I know had complications (and admittedly NOT VSG) that caused her to become permanently infertile. The most ironic part of that? She had the surgery at the recommendation of her reproductive endocrinologist... he told her with since PCOS is usually related to being overweight, the surgery could "cure" her infertility. Well, a. she still has EVERY PCOS symptom she had before, even after over 100 pounds lost. B. the complications she had resulted in problems that ensure she can never have a child... even IF her PCOS goes away. I had a RE tell me the same BS story... but I didn't believe it because I already knew so many thin women who had PCOS, and many others who'd lost weight and it didn't "cure" them at all. While I'm happy for all of you who don't regret it, and who've had success, I decided this is not for me. I've done a lot of research on both the surgery and the notion that being fat automatically means being unhealthy. It's interesting to note, when you pay attention to study authors, how many of the "obesity is EVIL" people are in the pockets of major pharma or diet companies. It's in the vested interest to promote the notion that to be healthy one must be thin. There is a book I highly recommend, especially to anyone that has plateaued at what they are being told is still an "unhealthy" weight. It's called Health At Every Size. I'd also recommend Intuitive Eating. Both books point out that ever body is unique and the "one size fits all" approach has got to stop because it promotes unhealthy attitudes and behaviors. The BMI charts are one of the worst things ever invented, and I've thought that for years. If I *had* done this surgery I planned to do it without ever knowing my weight, and without a specific goal set. I don't need to go down that disastrous road again, ever. Now, I'm not saying that losing weight couldn't or wouldn't make my life EASIER. It certainly could. But given the method of weight loss in question, I don't think it would make it BETTER, and I am far more concerned about that at this point. In fact, the potential to make it much, much worse is just a risk I refuse to take. More to the point, I refuse to literally risk my life. And yes, I know you're all going BUT YOU'RE SO FAT - you're life is already at risk! Maybe... but no more so than someone crossing a busy street, at this point. Going under the knife is too often deadly... having to do surgery for emergency reasons is one thing. Doing it voluntarily is just not for me, especially given the high likelihood that I would struggle to lose much weight because of the health issues that prevented me from losing weight when I was dieting and following the program strictly. I appreciate the answers, even if I felt awfully judged by many of you - and saw you judge others in your own community. I've spent the past six months debating this, and I've come to the final decision only recently. I hope that those of you who read this will respect my decision, even if you disagree with it, just as I respect your choice to have this surgery, even if I don't think the risks involved are worth it for ME.

Bryn, don't you dare apologize and the same goes for tamz too. Geez, Karelia posted if anyone wished they hadn't done it, and those few souls who are brave enough to admit this is harder than they expected aren't allowed to post in peace. Nobody's trying to convince anyone not to have the surgery, but an honest discussion of the variety of experiences post-op ought to be possible, and this ought to be someplace you can come when you truly feel like crap and get a little support! Many of us may not have friends or spouses we can share fears and tears with. Honestly I don't think anyone who was truly sorry would hang around here very long. I've already found myself another forum with more long-timers, where the conversations are generally a lot more introspective, and the people are a heck of a lot kinder to each other. One poor woman posted this morning that she is sorry, one year post-surgery, because her life for the past year has been one complication after another. She's getting a ton of love, support, and where possible advice from those who've been there. Am I sorry I did this? Certainly not, at least not at this point. I'm so grateful to have had no surgical complications, to be able to be off the narcotics, to be able to keep down all the protein supplements and liquids (knock on wood) and for having enough energy most of the time to get out and walk several times a day. But at the moment it hurts like crap, maybe I got out of a chair the wrong way yesterday or something. And I realize that I'm one of the LUCKY ones - life is a lot harder for those who had complications or are suffering from a lot of nausea. I for one think it's pretty clear Karelia is very intelligent, ready to make as well-informed a decision as possible, and perfectly capable of distinguishing the relatively minor pains of immediate post-op from serious long-term regret.

Oh, I want everyone's opinion. I don't care if you're 2 days post-op. The more information I have, the better able I am to make decisions. I suspect that the people who regret it after 6 months or more probably don't post on forums like these anyway, for the simple reason that they'll likely be attacked as Tamz was here. I never considered any of the other types of WLS very seriously. I have a very bad case of Hashimoto's Disease, and the malabsorption issues are enough to put me off those types of surgery. I also know the complication rates are higher with the other types based on the document my insurance company provides (lap-band was slightly lower, but I've heard enough lap-band horror stories, and it's not really suitable for someone my size anyway). They cover all the types, but give the basic facts. I admit that the 1 in 1000 mortality rate is higher than I'd like, even though I accept that it translates to .1%. Still, that's scary... 1 out of 1000 people who do this will die? I'm not sure I like that risk. There are reasons I'm considering doing this, mostly they're practical. I'm going to finish grad school next year, and I'm worried no one will hire me. But it's also logistical. It would be nice to not need 2 airplane tickets. It would be nice to sit in a booth... but even more practical, it would be nice to not worry that if I do manage to get hired, I won't fit in the seats in the auditorium at the school I work at, or on field trips that I won't fit in the seat on a bus... etc, etc. Those of you who've been a very high weight know what I mean. It's more than looking a way that's socially inadequate. That I don't give a rat's ass about (aside from the risks of not getting a job over it). I have an amazing marriage - better than most of the thin people I know. He loves me for who I am, regardless of my size. I don't need to lose weight to gain friends or find a man. I don't go out socially, so I don't care much about what I can or can't eat when I do. I'd just like life to be less inconvenient. If it actually made me healthier, bonus, but I'm somewhat skeptical and there aren't many long term studies at this point to back up the health benefits. Anecdotal evidence is great... but it's got to be taken with a grain of salt. Anyway, ty all for sharing your stories.

Hello Fellow Believers, God's Word declares that "the prayers of the righteous availeth much." I am asking that you pray for me this Tuesday, November 30 at 9:30am. I will be having VSG. Pray for me, my family, the doctor, and the entire medical staff. I give God praise in advance for bringing me through the surgery with no complications! Thank you for support through prayer!

Hi All, I've completed all my pre-op testing and will be getting a call this coming week for the surgery date. Problem is I might be pregnant and it's too soon to test. I don't want to go through all this just to have it canceled, I also don't want to have severe complications because my weight. I know nothing is certain yet, but I just want to make sure I have all the information I need time make an informed decision if I am preggers. Crazy as it sounds, can I still have surgery if I'm still very early on? Is there a medical weightloss program for pregnant women? Please feel free to ask me any questions if you need to.

Had my bypass and I have struggled since day 1 first pain now 3 weeks of nausea and tonight I coughed/threw up blood. Idk if the blood is just from my stomach and esophagus irritated from all the dry heaving and throwing up or what what do u all think? Anyone experience coughing/throwing up bright red blood?

definitely count your blessings. i got the other side. no complications mind you, but pain, fatigue, constipation. took a couple of weeks to work it out.

Feeding tubes aren't the standard fare for WLS. As you say, you had so many complications you are likely one of very few folks that have had to deal with them. The positive side is the site now has someone with experience of feeding tubes. You're our foremost authority. Hang in there, Tek

I'm going to be getting my revision sometime in July. My surgeon said that with the revision, expect to lose about 40-45% of the weight you would have lost if it was your original surgery. So he said I could expect to lose about 60-65 pounds in a year for my current weight and BMI. I lost 116 pounds in a year with the sleeve, so if I can lose another 65 pounds in a year with my revision, I'll be ecstatic. I'm really good at watching my diet and working out, so I think my "dream goal" is to lose 75 pounds in a year with the revision, but my "realistic goal" is the 60-65 in a year. We'll see. I would be lower than I am now if I hadn't run into so many complications and health issues. But this revision is going to get me back to living my life so I can refocus on my health and weight loss.

thanks for the question. i am 6 days post op and thinking of what you said has allowed me to kind of solidify in my mind that i feel i made the right choice. i can give you more than 5. 1. i felt that by pass was too invasive. 2. hospital stay and time out of work simply too long for my schedule (i have a 5 year old and work and have my own business) 3. while i want to lose weight, like the other poster, i don't want to lose it too quickly. gall stones is a concern after either procedure but it is my understanding that what really causes gallstones is rapid weight loss and the band loss is more gradual 4. being more gradual there is a better chance for my skin to pull tight rather than sag and i don't just want to be thin, i want my body to look healthy. 5. i didn't want to worry about mal absorption, thinning hair 6. once i heard about dumping syndrome i knew it wasn't for me. i don't think i can go the rest of my life without EVER having ANYTHING with sugar in it (i can't stand artificial sweetners) and the thought of dumping scared me. 7. yes with lap band there is PBing which i haven't experienced and i know how awful it is, but i felt that it might be the lesser of 2 evils (we'll see after my first experience with it) 8. bypassers lose more weight up front but then gain some back. i don't want to continue to yo-yo. 9. knowing that the band is reversable and adjustable. in case of serious illness and i need to focus on my nutritional intake saline can easily be let out to allow for more calorie consumption. 10. if i start gaining in the future i can always have the band tightened again for continued results 11. complication rate/infection rate is lower with band i think i could go on and come up with even more. i would join a bypass group and ask the same questions to them. i would be curious to hear their answers. i will tell you that my brother's girlfriend who is 27 and lost 115 lbs on the band told me some of the reasons she chose bypass over the band were that she didn't want to have to deal with such close monitoring required for fills (which is another thing i actually like. i like my surgeon to be involved as an additional support person for the rest of my weight loss journey) and she also had acid reflux which her dr. felt would be made worse with the band. please post again and let us know what/if you decide. good luck

i thought that too...and i talked to my hubby about it...and we came to this thought (i really hope people dont get mad at me about this) but people like to complain...a lot...and i think that this is a place where people can come and complain about what went wrong and be understood and have people be sympathetic towards them... i am going to believe for every person that posts about a complication i fully believe there are ten more who dont post anything... thats just my two cents

@@vjc2004, you look great! I'm glad you were attentive to your body and not ignore signs of the complications you encountered. I'm glad you are doing well and it shows. What is your food intake like now? @@prisi84, congratulations on your surgery as well. Keep us informed? Are you on liquids now? I have 2 more Nutritional visits. HW 240, CW 217, with sleep apnea..

Would you guys mind sharing what kind of complications you had? I am going to Mexico because my insurance will not cover me no matter where I go. It sucks but that's how it is.

I just started eating soft foods today. Was on TPN for 7 weeks. I am praying that my leak is healed. I should know within the next 2 weeks. Have been out of work pretty much since my surgery date of 4/4/17. Have lost 60 lbs. But still have my pickline. If this doesn't work, I really just want a bypass instead of a stent. I hear they are so painful. My doc said they need to wait like 8 months before turning a sleeve into a bypass. He said if they did it now, "It would be a warzone". So I am praying, praying, praying for all of us with complications. Keep us posted everyone, it really helps to see all the posts.

Hey all! Using my daughter's account because it was already logged in. I am 60 years old and have had my band for 8 years with no problems. SW was 256 and CW is 180. I never really had any of the typical complications associated with the lap band. However, finding that "sweet spot" has never been easy. My port needs to be replaced, not the band, just the port. Yesterday, I saw my daughter's surgeon (she had a sleeve in Dec) and he asked me if I had ever considered converting to a sleeve. So my question is, if you had a lapand that was fairly successful and am happy where I am, what would you do?

Call the doctor, please. If it's early dehydration, an IV with some liquids will make you feel 1,000 times better very quickly. If it's not dehydration, then your doc can point you in the right direction. If it's late stage dehydration, hopefully they can prevent complications like kidney failure/stones, low blood pressure, or heart damage. I am admittedly a little cautious on this right now. A dear friend of mine was dehydrated (not a WLS patient) for a couple of weeks and died because of the damage to her heart and kidneys. She was 48. I really think you should call the doctor.

Good luck everyone! I hope you all have smooth surgeries with no complications and a speedy recovery. Keep us posted!!

I have lost only 16 lbs at 5 weeks so I am frustrated along with you. Had hoped for much quicker weight loss. I'm grateful for no complications, however.

Welcome to LBT~~ There are several Dr. threads, detailing who each used, what the cost was etc. I fully believe getting your personal physician involved, and looking into after care to be of utmost importance before moving on to a surgeon. I did use a surgeon in Mexico---I went to Mexicali MX and used Dr. Aceves. I was totally and completely happy with the experience. I have recommended him to many locally who have used him. I do know when I had my surgery done going on 2 years ago, he was very strict--concerning having a follow up plan in place. He spoke with the Dr. I intended on using closer to home for fills, and was still not satisfied!!! The closest fill Dr. I had at the time was over 6 hours away one way! So he had me speak with my physician concerning emergency treatment. In the end I spoke with my former oncologist, whose office is used to dealing with ports, and got his agreement to do a total unfill in case of emergency--and then and only then did he agree to do my surgery! He contacted me several times following surgery, and now the office touches base every 3 months. He gave me lots of information and visited with me one on one prior to the surgery. He accepted some of my medical test results, others he required his own, but it was part of the cost. I would avoid ANY Dr. who was willing to set up a surgical date without any pre op testing, or speaking to you personally! I would not go to a Dr. who insisted on pre payment before I arrived in the country for surgery. Dr. Aceves normally required a $500.00 payment to schedule the surgery and the rest upon your pre op visit. Somehow the envelope my SIL mailed with our checks was lost, and never arrived, until we had been home for 3 weeks!!! Anyway, he did not fuss about it, we paid it all when we saw him...well his office staff for that part of it. I would be sure to ask how many Lap Bands the surgeon has done. What his complication rates are. What exact type of band he uses. What size of port he uses. If you have issues with tape or metal--ask how he closes the wounds. If you are concerned with port placement, ask where he places it in most cases. Whether this is a hospital or a surgical center. Are they willing to give you info on the hosp. so you can check for issues with the hospital. How long of a stay they anticipate, what is usual for them. Whether there will be English speaking nurses available. Whether you can have a support person with you at all times barring surgery itself. Is there a place for your support person to sleep? Eat? What type of pre op testing they require. Do they have any transportation help to and from the airport/ Do they have accomodations for you while you are there, and not in the hospital? I cannot think right off the top of my head---I am sure you will receive more questions to ask-----BE INFORMED!! Have all your ducks in a row before surgery--do not get it done and then come around looking for a fill Dr. This is your health! Good Luck to you!! Any other questions, feel free to ask away, if you do not get answers---either bump the question to the top again, or ask again. Sometimes this board moves quickly and the question does not get seen. Again, welcome! Kat

Scared scared scared Very scared! I just don't want any complications after. I have 2 small kids Very scared!