HATED the band, LOVE the sleeve!

Alexa77 · July 12, 2009

VegasAngel! I cannot tell you how much I sincerely appreciate your feedback!!!!!!!!! I hope everything goes well for you and your fianc?! It sounds like everything is going great, so you think its OK to drive? Even after your procedure, I don't really want to go with anyone, I would like to drive myself, what do you think? I can tolerate a pretty good deal of pain, and am fairly healthy (32, 2 kids, both C-sections, about 235lbs.). Can I ask how much you and your fianc? paid? That sounds like a perfect scenario to me, and exactly what I think I can do, to go in on a Friday and be back after the weekend, especially for a low impact job. I cannot express how grateful I am for the first hand insight!!! I was thinking I could tolerate going back right away, just wanted to confirm that others have done it. Its very reassuring to hear how clean and sterile the facility is. For the leak issue, is it risky to drive all the way back to see him if you have a leak here? I just don’t know what kind of emergency factor that is, and how do you know if you have a leak, you get very sick? What is follow-up care like? Do you plan to see a doc in Vegas or continue to go back? I was thinking I could followup with my Tucson doc since he is experienced with both the band & the sleeve.

Alexa77 · July 12, 2009

VegasAngel, did you have a revision or a sleeve? Wasabubblebutt, for your revision, do you have additional scars? What is the scar situation like after the revision? I have 3 small ones on my abdomen & one large, longer one where my port went, HATE it!!! Its so ugly, sticks up, red, can see it when I wear a 1piece bathing suit.

Alexa77 · July 12, 2009

VegasAngel or anyone, since I know you are there on a Sunday, you said they personally check you 3x per day, the actual physicians, not just the nurses? Even Saturdays/ Sundays? Sorry for the barrage of questions

WASaBubbleButt · July 12, 2009

VegasAngel, did you have a revision or a sleeve? Wasabubblebutt, for your revision, do you have additional scars? What is the scar situation like after the revision? I have 3 small ones on my abdomen & one large, longer one where my port went, HATE it!!! Its so ugly, sticks up, red, can see it when I wear a 1piece bathing suit.

Isn't the port disgusting? It's like those red turkey timers. When it pops up the turkey is done. When a banded persons port sticks out, they are done losing weight. ;o) I do not miss my port even a little.

I do have all new scars, my band scars are a LOT lower than they were when they were made. Losing my fat stomach made them much lower. But I don't really care, I can hardly see them anyway because they are so little. There is only one that is about an inch long, the others are smaller.

Ruthi · July 12, 2009

I had my revision done on the same day as Vegas Angel and we were discharged on a Monday. I was back to work on Tuesday with no pain or problems. It is definitely doable.

Malaika · July 12, 2009

VegasAngel! I cannot tell you how much I sincerely appreciate your feedback!!!!!!!!! I hope everything goes well for you and your fianc?! It sounds like everything is going great, so you think its OK to drive? Even after your procedure, I don't really want to go with anyone, I would like to drive myself, what do you think? I can tolerate a pretty good deal of pain, and am fairly healthy (32, 2 kids, both C-sections, about 235lbs.).

I think you will be fine to drive. My DF drove down here and home when I had my surgery -- I could have driven though -- I was tired, but other than that it wouldn't have been a problem. I did drive the next day to the store without any problems at all. So I believe you would be okay to drive. We drove all the way into Mexicali this time and will leave tomorrow after the final leak test. I do not know if i will be driving or if my DF will feel up to it -- we will see.

Can I ask how much you and your fianc? paid? That sounds like a perfect scenario to me, and exactly what I think I can do, to go in on a Friday and be back after the weekend, especially for a low impact job. I cannot express how grateful I am for the first hand insight!!! I was thinking I could tolerate going back right away, just wanted to confirm that others have done it. Its very reassuring to hear how clean and sterile the facility is.

Both of us were 'virgin' sleevers - not revisions, so your costs would be different than that which we paid. You can contact Nina or Renee and they will be able to provide you with the cost. I can PM you the number if you want it.

For the leak issue, is it risky to drive all the way back to see him if you have a leak here? I just don?t know what kind of emergency factor that is, and how do you know if you have a leak, you get very sick?

I don't know what the signs of a leak are as, thank God, I did not have any. Dr. Aceves has performed well over 600 sleeves and to my knowledge has never had any leaks. He not only staples the incision, he sutures over the entire staple line, so a leak is very unlikely I believe.

What is follow-up care like? There really is no follow-up care, not like a band. Dr. Aceves does suggest having a GI and total blood panel done about 3 months after your surgery. I had one done this time (not the blood work) because I was having issues and wanted to know why and to be sure there was nothing out of the ordinary. The issue I am having apparently only happens in about 1% of his patients [leave it to me] and it is not permanent, it will dissipate in about 6 months. So, even though I don't like it, I can live with it knowing it will eventually go away.

Do you plan to see a doc in Vegas or continue to go back? I was thinking I could followup with my Tucson doc since he is experienced with both the band & the sleeve.

I will follow-up with my PCP provider from here on out I believe. Although, we both really like Dr. Aceves, so who knows, we may decide to drive back down in October for the GI and blood work! If not, I spoke with my PCP before the surgery and he had no problems providing any follow-up care needed; which is quite minimal as you can "see".

VegasAngel, did you have a revision or a sleeve? Virgin Sleever. No revision. Wasabubblebutt, for your revision, do you have additional scars? What is the scar situation like after the revision? I have 3 small ones on my abdomen & one large, longer one where my port went, HATE it!!! Its so ugly, sticks up, red, can see it when I wear a 1piece bathing suit.

I have 5 small scars - one is about 1" long, the others are almost gone.

VegasAngel or anyone, since I know you are there on a Sunday, you said they personally check you 3x per day, the actual physicians, not just the nurses? Even Saturdays/ Sundays? Sorry for the barrage of questions

Yes - even on Saturdays and Sundays the DOCTORS check in on you. Dr. Campos was already here this morning before 10 am. Sergio, one of Dr. Aceves staff, was here before then. Dr. Campos told us last night that he would be in today as well. He performed 3 surgeries yesterday and came into see us before the surgery and before heading home last night -- Dr. Campos was in 2 or 3 times as well. The nurses are very responsive - it is unusual to wait more than 30 seconds for a nurse to come in after you push the button. They are also VERY respectful - they do not enter your room without knocking first and you saying enter.

If you bring someone with you, the cost of the night at the resort after your pretests includes your companion and then your companion is allowed to stay in your room with you the entire time. There are very comfy couches in each room, and they will provide you with sheets and blankets and a pillow. There is free internet (although at times slow) and a tv in every room as well. There is a cafeteria with a vary wide menu and reasonable prices for your companion to eat.

Everything is included in the price - the resort, the pre-tests, the surgery, hospital, anesthesiologist, post-tests, medication and if you have a hernia or your gallbladder needs to be removed, Dr. Aceves does so at no additional costs.