SylviaMom

Just come the night before and stay at a hotel by the airport with a shuttle. You meet the drivers at baggage claim so it should not be an issue. Best of luck on your journey.

Would love to here from any former banders that had an erosion from the band and whether you have had any leaks or other complications since your VSG. Thanks in advance!

Thanks Rawwwr! Good to put it in perspective.

I love it. I want to release not just not just extra weight but also all the bad habits that got me here in the first place. thanks for posting.

I have a lifetime of stories that remind that the one thing more mortifying then feeling invisible because you are fat is feeling like everyone is laughing at you--because you're fat. I started writing some of my personal stories down and what is sad, is that I can remember the names of each one of those jerk bags...but can't remember the names of many of the countless people who have treated me with unsolicited acts of kindness. I hate that I have allocated so much emotional space to those merciless monsters. But, I wanted to end on a light note-->the bigger your a$$ is/was the more of it there is for all the bullies to kiss.

Congratulations on this amazing achievement and thanks for keeping the rest of us inspired! Any NSVs you 'd care to share?

I had the same struggle. Hubby was afraid I would come back with one less kidney, if I came home at all. LOL. My decision to go to Mexico, and particularly with the doctor I chose (dr. Aceves) was about finding the most experienced and well respected revision surgeon. getting bariatric surgery is not an area that i wanted to be penny shy and pound foolish. No pun intended. Dr. Aceves had 100 times more sleeve surgeries than the local "specialist". This was a no brainer particularly when all the data shows experience is highly corelated with successful, complication free surgeries. We had budgeted and planned for surgery in Washington state but I simply could not find a local doctor with the experience and kind/quality of referrals that Dr. Aceves had. Also, the self-pay rates I was being quoted weren't inclusive....meaning if I had a leak or some other complication during surgery, I would be out of pocket. That was on top of a 2 or 3x price difference. The truth is medical care in the U.S. is very expensive for a number of reasons...and quality of care is not the reason. Without getting too political, the medical and insurance lobby are extraordinarily powerful in the states...and we Americans are pretty darn litigious too. Ultimately, I went to Mexico alone because of a number of reasons but I needed to do what was right for me. I followed my heart and my instinct and luckily it worked out. My Mexicali and hospital experience was far better than any hospital experience in the states. The stay for the sleeve was 4 days (in contrast to the overnight stay typical in the states) and the hostipal was clean and professional. Because my band was eroded, Dr. Aceves was not able to complete the sleeve (just did the removal). I will be heading back in Decembre for my surgery. Good luck in your journey and remember that your heart knows.

Hey, who is that hottie? Oh, it's Lisa! You look fabulous. Keep up the great work and keep inspiring us sister!

Weight loss surgery and all related complications are a specific exclusion in my health insurance policy. I have this same fear. However, I have heard people who have leaks and such asking their providers to simply not mention the previous surgery for the billing code. Not sure if it will work but it's worth a try I guess.

I've heard great things about Dr. Rod so it sounds like you are in good hands. Dr. Aceves told me the risk for leaks after an erosion is about 30% but improves significantly by waiting 6 months. I am not sure what "a lot" means but trust that Dr Aceves wouldn't do the surgery unless he could do so with confidence. I think the key is having an experienced surgeon and following all the post op rules to the T and we can mitigate risk but the risk will always be higher for us then other revisions and certainly higher then virgin sleeves. My band was removed in early June.

Any self-pay folks have a leak emerge while in Mexico and if so, did they keep you there and treat the leak, or...did they simply send you back to the US for treatment? If anyone didn't pass one of the leak tests, what do the surgeons do? Do they reoperate? Thanks.

Deb- I am also looking right before Christmas. My surgeon is Dr. Aceves. Who is yours? I can't wait for the surgery but want to do everything possible to minimize the risks of a leak...so I wait too. Many people who had a leak on this forum report they would still do the surgery even with a leak...so I put the risk of a leak in context. When I woke up afte surgery and got the bad news, I was pretty heartbroken though but am glad for the extra time to at least be lap band free. The band was pretty horrible and I am actually able to eat more healthy fibrous foods...for a change. My only fear is ballooning up while waiting for the surgery but so far (a month out) I've actually lost another two pounds. :-)

Totally understandable. My port sight was actually the sorest spot post surgery and still remains a little tender a month out. More proof that the band was a piece of garbage screwing up our insides. Hope you are feeling better.

Debbie...heart goes out to you. I had the same thing happen. Dr. Aceves, my surgeon, says the likelihood of a leak is as high s 30% but that I could minimize it with a bypass instead. I have no interest ina bypass so trying to prepare for a worst case leak scenario.

That's so peculiar. It must have been an oversight or maybe there was adhesion around the port that made it unsafe to remove?

Thanks donnieJ. Did they have to reoperate to manage the leak or to stent it? It's great to hear that you would do it again despite the leak.

I am a fan of Aceves and his entire team. I was down there for a revision in June but since my band was eroded, I will have to wait for the sleeve. I am planning on heading down in December. When I was down there, another gal was there to support her mom during surgery. A year ago, that same gal had surgery...she looked great and trusted Aceves so much she brought her mom. I was there alone and felt very safe and well cared for. Everything was spotless and care is top notch.

Hope you are doing well! Dr. Aceves' crew is fantastic. The chicken broth is the best.

LOL! Now your a trophy wife. Hey hottie!

Thank you for the important reminder! So glad you are on this forum.

Great news. Here's to a speedy recovery and a lifetime of health!

Hi folks-, did any of your docs use any special techniques, tools or devices to minimize leaks? Since I had a previous band erosion, I am at higher risk and want to explore all methods to minimize those nasty statistics. Thanks in advance!

Thanks all for the great advice.

Hey all. In Mexicali. Doctors and staff here are lovely and better than expected. Went into surgery yesterday for a revision ( band to sleeve). They removed the band but because it was so badly eroded and slipped, they were not able to perform the surgery. They will need 3-6 months for it to heal first. Ugh...another surgery. For those who have had to do this two step process, what was life like between the two surgeries? What will life be likes getting out of here in the short term? Did folks gain a lot of weight in the period in between? Wht did you do to cope while waiting? Thanks for any words of advice. --Heartbroken in Mexicali

I just got back from Mx. I went alone and also had a band. Unfortunately because I did have an erosion, the were only able to take out the band and I will have to come back after several months for my sleeve...and my risk of a leak is much higher because of the previous band and now, especially because of the erosion. But, it sounds like you have an experienced doctor( I went with Dr. Aceves) and will have tons of support in Mx. This will be fine. You owe it to yourself to get the band out...it is a ticking time bomb in my opinion and you owe it to your kids to be healthy enough to see them grow up...which will be hard to do at 400 pounds. It's scary but lots have done it safely and have success stories to tell. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you!