Thinking Of Revision, But Will Have To Be Self-Pay

[RescueMom 0]

I'm one of those who had the lap band in 2007. I had good results the first 6 months. Long story short, the weather affected my restriction, sinuses, hormones, you name it. I started the unfill/fill yo-yo and did that for the next year and a half. Then we discovered my pouch had stretched and my dr. did a revision, putting in a new band (one he said was better anyway).

With the previous experience, I was afraid to even have any Fluid put in and it was almost a year before taking that plunge. Not much luck really, just maintaining. The weather and everything else was still affecting me. It was another year before getting another fill. I was cautious because not too long after my revision, my husband changed jobs and we lost our insurance, which had paid for the procedures. I knew we couldn't afford any problems.

A year after the second fill, again, major weather changes were affecting me to the point I went in and had my dr. take out all the Fluid. I'm so sick of the yo-yo and afraid of eventual erosion and other issues.

I'm looking into a possible revision to the sleeve and will have to start saving up. I'm looking to research good doctors to do it safely at an affordable price. I did read that revision patients sometimes have leaking and complications, and that concerns me. But I've read through a lot of the revision stories on here and am wondering is that where waiting 6 months after having the band removed comes in? Are any of you having complications of any kind because you had the band first?

Also, any suggestions on doctors you trust, have had good experiences with and are reasonable would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

[DebInAZ 76]

I to am a revision candidate, in 2005 I went to Mexico and had my lap-band, I only lost around 45pds, because I couldn't ever eat what I was supposed to without getting sick, the band was sold to me as a lifetime devise and no one ever told me that to survive and actually get in enough calories that I would have to eat around the band. So because all meat made me toss my Cookies, I ate mostly carbs. Then earlier this year I suddenly had so much pain in and around my sternum for around 30mins, so much so that I couldn't stand and barely breath. Then as fast as it came it was gone...Geez WHAT was that?...for the next week or so it felt like I was kicked in the stomach, but gradually I started noticing I could eat anything without restriction, and before I knew it I put back all the weight I had lost in about 6months.

I started to look into getting this thing out, when I discovered the Sleeve. I'm a Nurse so the next thing I did was start research, and research I did for about 4 months. I chose a Dr. in Mexico for the revision, went June 26th just to find out that my band had eroded, so I came home without the band but also without the sleeve!. Most people that have the revision come home with the sleeve and have no complications, but there are a few of us on this site that have had erosion. Slippage is far more common and usually they are very successful and get their sleeve.

I am going to Mexico to have Dr. Ponce in TJ do my revision the 29th of Oct. his price is 5500.00 and he is the Chief of Bariatric surgery and has been practicing since 1995, He has trained most of the doctors you see advertising right here on this site! If you would like to private message me with questions please feel free to do so. There are lots of people in this forum who have already had their surgery and can give you first hand accounts.

Leaks can happen to anyone not just revisions, as you research you will discover many reasons people have had leaks, this is why you should research your Dr. very well, and just so you know, the Drs. in Mexico and other Country's have been doing this surgery for years and years, where as the Doctors here in the U S are just beginning to feel comfortable doing the revision.

[SylviaMom 83]

Rescue-check out the Mexico/SelfPay Forum. It's pretty informative and you can get lots of insights about various doctors in Mexico and cost effective alternatives to Mexico if you prefer. I really like Dr. Aceves and he seemed like one of the more experienced revision surgeons. See www.mexicalibariatric.com. I had my band removed in June and will be going back for a revision in December. My sleeve will cost $9,500 and I paid $5,000 for the removal. But, most revisionistas who go to Dr. Aceves get it done in one procedure for $10,500. It's a little pricier than some in Mexico but the quality of the team, hospital, and general pre/post coordination is top notch in my opinion. Having said that, there are so many great surgeons so I'm confident you will find a great match. Good luck in your journey.