Unfortunately I didn't know much about the sleeve when I started my journey to get weight loss surgery back in September. Thankful for the six months diet and exercise from Cigna - after more research I decieded I didn't want to walk, I wanted to RUN from the lap band. I had my gall bladder removed from my surgeon last week at his center and I was listening to a woman who was on the phone while waiting for her mother to be released from surgery talking about all the complications she was having after having the lap band in and how sad it was. I felt completely affirmed that I was doing the right thing and proud of myself for fighting for the sleeve. So anyways I'm one of the first they will be doing for the sleeve - and I was scheduled for the 13th. Been doing fabulous on my pre-op diet - down 14 pounds in a week....and they call me yesterday and say they have to change my date (they've already changed it once, just by a few days) to out another week. A week which I couldn't take off work so I don't know when or if it's going to happen now

I happened to stop by the office for my post op gall bladder and the surgeon was such high pressure and mean that I just want to get my money back and cancel. I usually deal with the other surgeon but this one would be the "co-surgeon" on my surgery. Basically he told me it was the 20th or nothing and we should just cancel. They have two other sleeves scheduled and a specialist flying in to assist which was supposed to be "his tickets are purchased" for my date on the 13th. They tell me different reasons that don't really add up as to why they changed my date even though I told them I have my time off scheduled, my husband's time off, family coming to help me, etc....this really puts me in a bind.

So I'm getting ready to leave, and in tears (I already have very bad, emotional day at work) and the surgeon wants to meet with me. He and his nurse meet me in an office and he starts asking me why I didn't want the lap band (which is what they primarily do) I explained after my research and the amount of complications from the lap band without sufficient weight loss I really felt the sleeve was for me. I said I'm only doing this once and I hear so many horror stories about people miserable with the lap band, they have it taken out and they get the sleeve. He tells me I need to understand that I could die if I get the sleeve and that's why severe the surgery is and tries to push the lap band on me - that he's done so many and they are experts on the band and he even put on in his own mother, and I should trust them, blah blah blah. Thank God for the nurse who did keep saying that "She's been saying she wants the Sleeve for a long time now - that's what she wants...." He kinda hemmed and hawed, but basically the nurse was saying she would see what she could do and the surgeon just left me with a bad taste.

I'm really thinking about getting my money back on Monday. I've already paid all my out of pocket costs. Basically this would be in the of my journey - because I don't think I'm going to have my insurance much longer and I can't afford to start all over again.

What would you do?

Christie, I live in No. Phoenix and highly recommend AZ Weightloss Solutions at Desert Ridge. Dr. Steven C. Simon is my surgeon. He is wonderful!!! Smart and very good with assessing your needs in surgery and weightloss regimen. Please give him a call--they got mine OKd under Medicaid and my surgery is on May 31st. Please don't throw in the towel on this! If you would like, I can email you their number for setting up a free consult with Dr. Simon. It is 480-419-2280, fax no is 480-419-2290. I believe you would be very impressed with Dr. Simon and his care. They are topknotch folk, and so nice!! I had issues initially with the clinic at St. Luke Hosp-Tempe (Awful treatment) and called my ins to find Dr. Simon--sooo glad I did!!!

Thank you for the affirmation ladies - I emailed my surgeons office for a refund yesterday - hopefully I wont have any problems with a refund or their being willing to transfer all my medical papers over to another office. I'm in the Phoenix area so I know there are many experienced surgeons out here and I should be able to find one I will be in good hands. = ) Many thank yous

I've been avoiding the update a little because I'm hoping not to be judged but I'm back on with my surgery and my original surgeon. My surgeon (not the other surgeron who had made me so upset) who is the one I've been dealing with from the beginning called me this Monday - he explained why they had changed my surgery date. I had my gall bladder taken out with him on April 29th - I was having pain from gall stones and they thought it best it be removed before the surgery. I was warned just before my surgery that my last blood work showed a high white cell count and that if he got in there and there was a problem they may have to move my surgery date. When they got in there I did have acute Cholecystitis and there fore my surgeon had to give me another week to recover. He has the specialist flying out specifically for me and a couple other sleeves. I researched the specialist and he has performed hundreds of sleeves and 1,000 of bypass plus he teaches other surgeons. I feel better. I also did go ahead and call a few other local places and tried to explain my situation and all of them wanted me to start over from the seminar. It's either this or no sleeve. So I will be sleeved in one week on the 20th.

I've been avoiding the update a little because I'm hoping not to be judged but I'm back on with my surgery and my original surgeon. My surgeon (not the other surgeron who had made me so upset) who is the one I've been dealing with from the beginning called me this Monday - he explained why they had changed my surgery date. I had my gall bladder taken out with him on April 29th - I was having pain from gall stones and they thought it best it be removed before the surgery. I was warned just before my surgery that my last blood work showed a high white cell count and that if he got in there and there was a problem they may have to move my surgery date. When they got in there I did have acute Cholecystitis and there fore my surgeon had to give me another week to recover. He has the specialist flying out specifically for me and a couple other sleeves. I researched the specialist and he has performed hundreds of sleeves and 1,000 of bypass plus he teaches other surgeons. I feel better. I also did go ahead and call a few other local places and tried to explain my situation and all of them wanted me to start over from the seminar. It's either this or no sleeve. So I will be sleeved in one week on the 20th.

Glad to hear about the specialist coming in to help, it sounded like the other guy you talked to last time was doing something like bad used car salesmen do--he saw you were distressed about the changes and tried to sell you on the car they could get you in today.... No judgement here, you have to do what is right for you and I am glad that surgeons are learning and moving from the quick buck lap band into the sleeve--sound like this practice is trying to get started with the sleeve, so it is great they have someone coming in with experience.

First of all, you can't let anyone force you to do a surgery you don't want or don't feel safe with. Is your insurance covering it? If so, can't you just switch surgeons ? I was in the same situation and was approved for the lap band. But changed my mind about the surgeon ( really good decision i made) and that i wanted the sleeve instead. I went through the process again for approval. But i though you can just change surgeons once you get the approval. Hope that helps. That really sucks and i would definately turn around and run the other way!

Hi Christiemon... I can understand being hesitant in your update about this situation... Out of fear of bring judged ... I believe most people on here have your best interest at heart... And are genuinely concerned because of the dr's lack of experience w/VSG, his response to you, and the situation all together... Very pleased that everything worked out and there will be someone experienced in VSG performing the surgery.. Best of luck to you and I will add you to my pray list ... God bless!!!

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I've been avoiding the update a little because I'm hoping not to be judged but I'm back on with my surgery and my original surgeon. My surgeon (not the other surgeron who had made me so upset) who is the one I've been dealing with from the beginning called me this Monday - he explained why they had changed my surgery date. I had my gall bladder taken out with him on April 29th - I was having pain from gall stones and they thought it best it be removed before the surgery. I was warned just before my surgery that my last blood work showed a high white cell count and that if he got in there and there was a problem they may have to move my surgery date. When they got in there I did have acute Cholecystitis and there fore my surgeon had to give me another week to recover. He has the specialist flying out specifically for me and a couple other sleeves. I researched the specialist and he has performed hundreds of sleeves and 1,000 of bypass plus he teaches other surgeons. I feel better. I also did go ahead and call a few other local places and tried to explain my situation and all of them wanted me to start over from the seminar. It's either this or no sleeve. So I will be sleeved in one week on the 20th.

I know this thread is a little older but I would be interested to know how your procedure ended up and if you are happy with your sleeve now that it is all over? I am also in the Phoenix area and will be getting sleeved on the 7th at St. Lukes hospital. I would love to hear from you on this!