Complications after Sleeve Surgery

[Jen Jen 6]

I totally agree !!!!!! I was a selfpay who went to Mexico and have complications. I had to find a surgeon to take on what someone else started. Even though he was very good at taking me in, I did have to retell my story to every other doctor that came in to see me. Even though I know my new doctor told them already. It was what I considered my punishment. I even noticed on my chart, HAD SURGERY IN MEXICO, in big black letters on the front page.

I say pay the money for a doctor in the states to begin with. It's just a gamble.

No problems except reflux, but a year out it is so much better. I take Prilosec very occasionally and a lot of times I just take 1/2 of one and that seems to work just as well. Walking after meals helps the food go down.

I count my blessings, truly. I have heard you can buy complication insurance. You could post it on a separate message and someone could give you the info.

I attribute my success to homemade chicken broth and koolaid. It got me through.

Nothing is more important than the right doctor in my opinion. I was self pay and did not go through all the classes, big mistake. I should have gone to a bigger clinic here in Houston so I would have more before/after support groups just for the sleeve patients bc I had some problems initially and needed support. In Houston Dr. Robert Davis and Dr. Garth Davis is who I recommend for that reason and because he is a great surgeon and a nice man. I didn't know about him before so I went to a good surgeon, but even though he is a Center of Excellence it is small with minimal support. But he did a good job on my surgery.

In Mexico everyone seems to recommend Aceves mostly. But personally, I would find a good doctor in the states, pay the money, and buy the complication insurance because if you have a problem you don't want your doctor in another country. Many times bariatric surgeons do not want to treat patients with complications if it is not their patient. I'm sure you understand why, they probably are highly irritated already that you didn't have surgery here in this country and then if they have to fix you...I would not choose that route unless I had to. But lots of people go to Mexico and do great. It is just a personal thing of knowing I have care in place near my home.

My insurance paid for NOTHING, and my surgery was $14k. I have probably saved a lot of that back on food and medicine, so I consider it an investment.

Oh I did have one problem...nothing fit anymore from underwear to shoes to bras to t-shirts to jeans to dresses to jewelry (my neck is smaller now). SO I had to do all this shopping over and over again. It was so hard I had to change and not shop at Lane Bryant anymore too, and find new stores.

For me it was a great experience. I am having a lot of trouble getting off the last lbs but if I would exercise it would help.

[mandems mom 3]

I totally agree !!!!!! I was a selfpay who went to Mexico and have complications. I had to find a surgeon to take on what someone else started. Even though he was very good at taking me in, I did have to retell my story to every other doctor that came in to see me. Even though I know my new doctor told them already. It was what I considered my punishment. I even noticed on my chart, HAD SURGERY IN MEXICO, in big black letters on the front page.

I say pay the money for a doctor in the states to begin with. It's just a gamble.

Jen Jen, what kind of complications did you have? Was it something the original surgeon did or just a normal complication that could occur for anyone? I'm not quite 2 weeks out, but I'm constantly worrying about complications since I had surgery in Mexico.

[nene6569 0]

Hi, my name is Joy. I am the 1% with major complications. I was found to have a leak 2 weeks out. I will be 6 months out on June 16th and have now lost 52 lbs. Beginning weight 190 now 139. I am only 4 ft 10 in. goal weight 115. Here is my story...

I began having back pain and trouble breathing just before my 2 week check-up. I came in and saw the nurse and she said if I was not feeling better the next day to come back in and I would speak with the surgeon. Sure enough...my 1st real meal (a 2 oz. omlette w/cheese). I felt horrible. I headed in to see the surgeon at 9 am. I had an Upper GI, CAT Scan, and another Upper GI to verify the leak. I was rushed into surgery and then spent 10 days in the ICU. Many complications followed; 2 abcess, infections, lung collapse. 4 days on the ward, 2 weeks of high fevers another admission for 12 days. IV antibotics at home for 2 weeks and I was on the feeding tube for 3 months and 1800 calories a day. So, it took me longer to loose the weight.

Now... I am up going to Curves, walking, and doing Water aerobics. I have lost 10 dress sizes (started size 20 now an 8 -10). 23 lbs from goal weight! Happy and healthier. I have a wound that still has not healed and and a rather large hernia. They want to wait to fix the hernia...so the can fix the tummy at the same time.

If anyone wants to talk about complications...I will be glad to talk.

HELLO JOY,

MY NAME IS TYNISHA AND I ALSO EXPIERENCED A LEAK? SURGERY 1/20/11 AND DISCOVERED THE LEAK 8 DAYS POST-OP. DR. TOOK DRAIN OUT A WEEK AGO, ON REGULAR DIET, AND MY TPN IV INFUSI9ON WILL BE DONE 5/5/11. I FEEL FINE BUT I AM SO SCARED. I WANTED TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW DID IT TAKE YOUR LEAK TO HEAL?