Considering instead of placation

Brittanysiemens · August 27, 2011

I am scheduled for plication, but after reading and researching, I truly feel the vertical sleeve will be the best option with the best results.

How long was your hospital stay?

How long is recovery (when can I stop freaking out about leaks)?

How much did it cost you? Plication was going to set me back 6900$, I'm hoping this won't be significantly more.

What are the scars like?

What are post op Dr. visits like? Do you need to be monitored after?

KellyL · August 27, 2011

Hi, I was in the hospital for 3 days and a nice hotel for 2 nites(well actually 1 but 2 are included in the price). Dr Kelly was my surgeon and I had Trish as a coordinator. She is actually right there in TJ. I had very little pain and no nausea. I had a very quick and easy recovery, no problems or complications. I am not sure what current prices are, but my cost was $5500 + flight. My day by day experience is on my profile in the "about me" section. I was very happy with Dr Kelly, Trish, and my whole MX experience! And I love my sleeve!!

Good luck!!

itscometothis · August 28, 2011

I was going to do the plication at first as well.. but after a ton of research decided on the sleeve.. the plication hasn't been around long enough and there are too many complications with it. I don't want to have surgery that restricts my food intake and be hungry all the time.. that seems to be the case with plication.

Anyways.. I also went to Dr. Kelly and had the sleeve. My hospital stay was two days and two days in hotel.. NICE place!

I had nausea for the first 12 hours on and off, but my friend who came with me did not. Her recovery was better than mine. We are all different.. it will be what it will be. By day two you are feeling way better than you think will be possible.

I think the leak worry is for the first month.. that is what I was told by two surgeons, with the most likelihood of having one being in the first two weeks. My cost was 5560.00 plus flight. My scars are new, but they look really, really good! I am surprised.

Post op, while in Mexico, Dr. Kelly visited both days and Dr. Romero visited once. They answer all your questions and are really great.

Post op at home is a bit different. I have had several questions while home and I have to email Trish and ask her to ask Dr. Kelly for me. Sometimes she gets back to me, other times I have to email her again. It is my opinion that when you arrive home you should see your own doctor and use him/her for post-op care.

I couldn't have this surgery done in Canada as I didn't qualify and it costs waaaaaaay too much and the wait is ridiculous, so I have to deal with lack of aftercare from my surgeon. That's just part of it.

Hope this helps

P.S... the scars are really looking good... I am no longer worried about them long term

Brittanysiemens · August 28, 2011

I just left a message at dr. Kelly's office I may likely switch to him- The mexican dr. I am scheduled with charges quite a bit more, and I don't see why.

I am only 31 bmi though, will dr. Kelly take me? I am fearful because his website states "a bmi over 40", I am working HARD to maintain this weight- I run, I restrict food, I have a trainer, and I'm on weight loss supplements.

Thomas CPA · August 28, 2011

I was admitted Thursday would have gone home Saturday but opted one more day since I wasn't taking in liquids and try a day off IV. After two weeks follow up with doctor, put on pureed foods, next week is number 4 and officially put on solids again.

Have Kaiser so cost is Zero. From what the surgeons said in preop meeting of patients avoid Mexico - here in Southern California they have a lot coming in for repairs. Get it done right, you don't want to end up in hospital a second time.

Scars are minor, my doctor uses staples to make less noticeable but hey they will show.

Sleeve best option if you wanting to lose 50 to 80 pounds, at least for me.

Brittanysiemens · August 28, 2011

The sleeve seems fantastic. I hope he will agree to perform the sleeve on me (bmi 32).

Mexico is my best option, as I have no insurance. I think great surgeons can exist in any country, you just have to be very careful and go with someone with experience and a good track record.

Thomas CPA · August 28, 2011

Wish you well. You might ask if they do lapriscopic to record the video and get the disk so if there are complications a surgeon in US can review the procedure.

itscometothis · August 28, 2011

The sleeve seems fantastic. I hope he will agree to perform the sleeve on me (bmi 32).

Mexico is my best option, as I have no insurance. I think great surgeons can exist in any country, you just have to be very careful and go with someone with experience and a good track record.

Hi had a bmi of 34 and my friends was 32 so I think you should be ok

GreginMI · August 28, 2011

Your insurance paid for your surgery with only 50-80 lbs to lose???

I was admitted Thursday would have gone home Saturday but opted one more day since I wasn't taking in liquids and try a day off IV. After two weeks follow up with doctor, put on pureed foods, next week is number 4 and officially put on solids again.

Have Kaiser so cost is Zero. From what the surgeons said in preop meeting of patients avoid Mexico - here in Southern California they have a lot coming in for repairs. Get it done right, you don't want to end up in hospital a second time.

Scars are minor, my doctor uses staples to make less noticeable but hey they will show.

Sleeve best option if you wanting to lose 50 to 80 pounds, at least for me.

Thomas CPA · August 28, 2011

Yes, kaiser views it as medical necessity started at 305 lbs surgery at 235 lbs. Zero copayment. And if medical necessity by doctor they will do adominoplasty free

DoOver · August 28, 2011

I was admitted Thursday would have gone home Saturday but opted one more day since I wasn't taking in liquids and try a day off IV. After two weeks follow up with doctor, put on pureed foods, next week is number 4 and officially put on solids again.

Have Kaiser so cost is Zero. From what the surgeons said in preop meeting of patients avoid Mexico - here in Southern California they have a lot coming in for repairs. Get it done right, you don't want to end up in hospital a second time.

Scars are minor, my doctor uses staples to make less noticeable but hey they will show.

Sleeve best option if you wanting to lose 50 to 80 pounds, at least for me.

Amazing. With "good" insurance, mine was close to $5k out of pocket. It wiped me out for the year but I knew I'd never get a better deal as my insurance isn't going to change and I needed to stay in the US.

You know, I'd never heard of placation until a month ago. I can't see bothering with half way on this. Even if I had known about it, I would have stayed with being sleeved. I'm very happy with this choice. It took a few months to get to this point, but as of today, it's a good fit for me.