Hello all, I found this site today as I was searching for info on the VSG and decided to join. I have been researching Bypass and Lap-Band surgery for a few years now and I went to a Informational Seminar a few months ago and first heard about the Sleeve. I have a friend who had Bypass a few years ago and he has been telling me how great it is, but he wishes he could have done the Sleeve instead. I had been planning on doing Lap-Band as an out-of-pocket patient in June or July and started to get more and more interested in VSG. I have now set up an appointment to meet a surgeon on Thursday to discuss the VSG and I'm close to 100% sure that I will go this route in June or July instead.

I look forward to getting to know everyone better and using this Board as a support system.

welcome aboard!

I'm just waiting on a date....sigh.

welcome aboard!

I'm just waiting on a date....sigh.

Good luck to you goodlife. I hope you get your date set soon. I'm pretty sure since I am a self-pay patient I will be able to just set the date. My wife and I are trying to close on a new house right now, so once that happens and we are moved in then I can set my date!:001_unsure:

So from what I can tell most everyone here seems to go to Mexico for their surgeries. I am planning on doing mine here in the US and was wondering if I am in the minority here. I know that it is more expensive, I just want to be close to the wife and kids.

Welcome! I had mine 45 minutes away from me in Pontiac, Michigan. I'm glad to see you pursuing this instead of throwing your money away on the band... you'll see as you research more what a humongous failure rate it has and what a high complication rate there is. The sleeve rocks!!

Hi there and welcome. From someone that has experienced both the band and the sleeve, I can honestly tell you the sleeve is so much better.

Best wishes on your consult, and keep us posted on your progress. I had my band and VSG revision here in Florida.

Hi there and welcome. From someone that has experienced both the band and the sleeve, I can honestly tell you the sleeve is so much better.

Best wishes on your consult, and keep us posted on your progress. I had my band and VSG revision here in Florida.

I will definitely keep you informed! The complications are scary, and since my father died 10 years ago from complications from surgery due his body filling up with stomach acid, this whole thing is even scarier, but I am sure that the VSG is the way I'm going! I will put my trust in God to protect me and guide the surgeons hands.

I will definitely keep you informed! The complications are scary, and since my father died 10 years ago from complications from surgery due his body filling up with stomach acid, this whole thing is even scarier, but I am sure that the VSG is the way I'm going! I will put my trust in God to protect me and guide the surgeons hands.

I also had my surgery in the States, but traveled to find a surgeon that I trusted and could afford. (Went through Medical Tourism and spent over 1/2 what I was quoted to stay in town & that included hotel stays, etc.)

Sounds like there are definite options in the States that are affordable. But, definitely do your research. Just because they are close, does not mean they are good. Let us know if we can help you out in any way.

I also had my surgeries (band and then revision to sleeve) done by a very experienced doc in the Dallas metroplex - self pay both times. I wish I hadn't wasted all that money on the band, but the sleeve wasn't available when I first started out. Just glad I was able to make the switch. Being a self-pay you should be able to book your date whenever there's an opening, or pick your date if done far enough in advance. Good luck!