HELP !!

I don't know which to do sleeve vs band and my insurance does not pay for surgery thus I am looking into Mexcio due to cost. If anyone has ANY input please write or e-mail me. I need everyone HELP!

Thanks Gay

:confused:850 322-5628 gdwh1@yahoo.com

I don't know how much weight you want to lose but if it isn't 75-100 lbs I would not do the sleeve because it is irreversible and I was told by my doctor that it is for people who have a lot of weight to lose very fast due to other health issues they are facing. The band is obviously a foreign object in your body whereas a sleeve is just where your stomach is made smaller forever shaped like a banana and they hunger hormones that are in your stomach now will be taken away with the part of the stomach they remove.

I would definately get the band. My ex had a gastric by pass in the early 1990's and had nothing but trouble afterwards. I would think hard about getting your surgery done in the U.S. by a doctor near you for the support aspect. I know of two people who went to Mexico one is doing great but the other has had many problems. Our insurance started to pay for the procedure this year and quite a few people who work with me have gone to Dallas. We have an excellent surgeon here in town who does lap bands so he did mine. I think the doc in Dallas forgives the deductible on the insurance and that's why people drive to Dallas. I wish you the best what ever you decide to do.

Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam

Edited July 8, 200818 yr by Blix

The sleeve is done laparoscopicallly which is nice unlike the bypass - my husband is debating whether to go with sleeve or band based on how my experience with the band goes - I am too early on to give him too much of a recommendation.

This is obviously a big decision that you need to make in your OWN best interest. Like any surgery, there are pro's and con's. I had the LapBand procedure in February and have had nothing but success. I have also worked very hard to use the LapBand as the TOOL that it is intended to be. My husband recently had the gastric sleeve and he is doing very well. Contrary to what Rangerfan said (no offense)...my husband actually had very little weight to lose relative to other morbidly obese patients. (He had about 50 pounds to lose but had several co-morbidities) I would say the pro's of the sleeve is that you don't have to deal with a foreign object in your body and the ongoing process of getting fills. I think sleeve patients lose weight a little more quickly than band patients but the one major con is it's a one shot deal. The stomach/pouch is vulnerable to stretching if you overeat therefore you are at risk of gaining weight back. Of course there are ways to "eat around the band", but I personally enjoy the fact that if I don't feel decent restriction I can go get a fill. Ultimately, they are both great procedures (IMO) and I think the sleeve is the next "up and comer" in bariatric surgery. Again, I am thrilled with the band and wouldn't change my decision at all. As far as US vs Mexico doc's....that's a topic I'm not experienced enough to discuss. Good luck in your decision!

No offense taken - you are right - my doctor said sleeve was good for people that wanted to lose weight faster due to other health issues or usually for people who had 100 lbs to lose - I actually wanted the sleeve but he said I was not a candidate - I have 45-50 lbs to lose but do not have any other morbidities - I think he might have worried that I would be unhappy long-time with the sleeve since it is irreversible - my husband told me to do the band like the doctor said and later if I want to have it removed and get the sleeve I can - I will give the band a chance but I thought I would be down 10 lbs by now and I think I have gained weight from surgery and withholding fluid - thanks!

I am in no way an expert this is just my opinion and my experience. I had surgery in Mexico at Bajanor and I would never ever no way advise any one else to go there. I didn't even get to met with a nutritionist, they gave me a box of anit- biotic and pain medicine with no directions and the both boxes are in Spanish. So to say the least I have no anit-biotics to take and I am grinding Advil or taking it hole. Almost no one spoke English and it was very scary when they started putting meds in my tube when I am very allergic to morphine and deludid, both are pain meds, to get me ready for surgery. No forms had been filled out asking me about my health. I signed one consent form and it had words mispelled. Had and still have complications and NO doctor that does Lap Bands will help me, my husband and I were calling this morning. So tomorrow I may be in the ER and have that bill to pay for. I had to travel back home 7 hours and the ordeal started at 4:15 am, had to cross the border (not easy) catch rides and go to the airport, fly and then drive home. Had my surgery Friday night complications all day Saturday and then I was off that Sunday morning. So it may be cheaper in Mexico but the care I am sure is much better here in the States. You wouldn't be sleeping with holes in your comforter and pillows. If you asked for a band aid or jello your nurse would know what it is. I felt like I was in a clinic for women's health.

The sleeve is done laparoscopicallly which is nice unlike the bypass - my husband is debating whether to go with sleeve or band based on how my experience with the band goes - I am too early on to give him too much of a recommendation.

I know nothing about the sleeve so I can't really say what it is like. My ex-wife had a GB in 1990 and had quite a few problems. She gained some of her weight back but she is still not as big as she was. I am excited about the progress I have made with my Lap Band. I have a super DR. and his Staff is great. :wink2: