Hi, I am off to Tijuana from Texas as it is verrry affordable, infact it is $2k more expensive in piedras negras for the lapband and/or the sleeve...I really have not decided which way to go, lap band vs sleeve..I see that many people on this forum have already had the lap band and are switching over...since i do not have insurance cost is a big thing..heeeeellllppp any advice which to go for would be appreciated

well i dont have any insurance that would cover also. I chose the sleeve because it is doc maintance free!! If you get banded then you have to pay cash for each and every adjustment. ive heard that the first year people get an average of 6-7...all the places around here (2 hours away) that will fill a mexico band charge 150-200 per adjustment. on top of that if you poke around here a bit like i did it made my decision even easier. The amount of people that had serious damage to their stomach from the band.

Just make sure to do LOTS of research. This has to be a decision that fits you and your lifestyle.

Now, having said that, this IS a vertical sleeve site, so you will likely get lots of Pro-sleeve responses. I know I am happy that I made that decision even though my insurance would have paid for the lapband AND bypass. I had to self-pay but it was worth every cent.

Good luck with your decision.

My esophagus is damaged from the band. Why don't you read the band to sleeve revision forum?

I don't know where else to go for research. Both my kids are scheduled for June 10th in Tijuana. All I hear is the good stuff. What's the bad? Celebratelife

Just make sure to do LOTS of research. This has to be a decision that fits you and your lifestyle.

Now, having said that, this IS a vertical sleeve site, so you will likely get lots of Pro-sleeve responses. I know I am happy that I made that decision even though my insurance would have paid for the lapband AND bypass. I had to self-pay but it was worth every cent.

Good luck with your decision.

There is a band to sleeve revision thread on this site that will give you a lot of insight. I could have had the band or RNY pd by ins but I waited 7 yrs to research and then self pay for sleeve in Tijuana MX for $5500, and I had a wonderful experience there and an easy recovery.

I didn't want to deal with the fills/unfills to try to find the "sweetspot" to lose weight. I didn't want a foreign object that my body may try to reject. Then there is the slipping, eroding, and all the people I saw here and elsewhere having to have the band removed and getting revisions.

This is a very personal decision, but I would advise the same as the others, and research. You have to feel confident and comfortable with your decision. There's lots of info here and other sites. Good luck to you!