theosmom

Okay, I looked up Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon online. Not to be rude, but seeing his picture and looking at his website did not give me a sense of confidence. He's unshaven, his shirt is unbuttoned and he's standing against a wall with some other guys that look like maybe they're coming from an all-night disco! LOL

I corresponded with Alvarez's coordinator and told her I'm 5'8", 192-3lbs, high risk for Type II Diabetes, depression, back/neck pain, GERD and they said no. That's just under 30 bmi. But I was as high as 202 lbs this time last year and I hate to gain 10lbs just to qualify. I mean, isn't that an unhealthy thing to do? In reality, I'm probably a 30 bmi some days and a 29+ on others. The one thing that creeps me out is not having surgery in a hospital. Does Ortiz keep you overnight? Which of the doctors you all have listed do surgery in a hospital? Thanks so much for replying and sharing. It's so helpful for us folks trying to get things lined up.

Thanks for the reply. Do you have to have an annual swallow test (barium, endoscopy) to see how things are going or is that not really necessary unless there is some trouble.

Hello, Has anyone used Dr. DeBarros or Dr. Blackstone in AZ as a self-pay patient? If so, wondering what the approx price range might be and what the process was like as a self-payer. Thank you!

Thanks for the replies, gals. My sister recently had Gastric Sleeve with Svendsen and I got to meet him and really want to make an appt to see if he'd band me as a self-pay. I was very impressed with how well my sister did and how great he was. My sis is further along the weight/co-morbidities road than me, so Sleeve was appropriate for her. Her primary care doctor has told her she'll probably be off HPB & HC meds within 6 weeks!! She's lost 20 lbs since her liquid diet and is not even 2 weeks out from surgery. I believe I would qualify for the band at my bmi and some other issues. Thanks again!

Did anyone have their band done at Park Nicollet in Mpls? If so, how was the experience and have you had any problems? Thank you!

Hello All & Happy New Year! As a low bmi'er and self-pay, I know I can find a doctor here is the US to do a lap band procedure, now that they've lowered the required bmi. I've been mulling this over for so, so long and have a question for everyone who's already banded and down the road a bit. Is there a moment when it hits you that your ability to emotional eat is over and how do you or did you deal with that? I'm a classic over-eater, takes a lot to get full, emotional eater, etc. I often think if I could just find a pill or a switch that would curb my hunger and stop me thinking about the next thing I'm gonna eat, I could succeed. I've done therapy on several occasions and lots of soul-searching, trying to come to terms with my history of eating. I've done every dang diet, some that included some level of counseling and each time I've thought this is the time I'm gonna have a mental shift and think differently about food. But it never lasts. I'm super motivated and will do all that's needed to work the lap band, but I'm scared about "getting it". If the lap band helps me control overeating and quell hunger, but I never get that "aha" moment regarding the emotional eating, can I still succeed???? I'm 50 yo and I've been dieting, reading self-help books, soul-searching, etc, for 20+ years. Thanks for reading this and hope someone can share their experiences.

OMG! You didn't lose ANY weight? Did you lose in the pre-op diet stage or anything? I've done really well on dieting in the past, once I lose some I start exercising and can really get going. But then one day I over-eat and then another and pretty soon I'm spiraling out of control and off my "diet". I really think that given my success on diets in the past and my willingness to do therapy in conjunction if necessary, I can do it with the help of this tool. I feel it's the tool I've been missing. I'm gonna pay out of my pocket and so, I'm gonna take it really seriously. I appreciate and respect your honesty in sharing your lap band experience. Do you still have the band in tact? Do you maybe need a tighter fill or something? Best luck to you in your journey.

Thank you for the reply, I appreciate it. I read that some folks take up knitting or other busy work to fill the time that they might have otherwise snacked. I've always wanted to do Zumba or Yoga classes, but I'm so embarrassed of my weight that I get anxious about it and don't go, so that would be another thing to do.

Didit12262012 Congrats to you and wishing you the best! I'm gonna be watching your progress because I'm in the same boat. Keep thinking about this and at the same time trying to do it on my own for the 1000th time and just spinning my wheels. I also have low bmi, weigh approx 190-195 depending on the week and the success I am or am not having! Argh! I'm 50 and this yo-yo'ing has been going on so long, it's not like it's gonna change. Like you, I don't really have co-morbidities, but I do struggle with back & neck pain, have had a breast reduction to try to help that, but when you gain weight, those boobs just fill back out and are pulling you down again. I also have depression and have been taking meds for that for 10+ years. Like you said the "self talk" is brutal and demoralizing, whether you're 50 or 150 lbs overweight - it sucks to hate on yourself year in and year out. We also have a history of diabetes in the family (mom, grand mom, aunts) My husband really doesn't want me to do it and that's what's holding me back. I feel like a failure for being overweight and a failure for not being able to do it on my own. I'm lucky as I know my primary care dr. will back me up and I actually have savings and can afford to pay for it, it's just getting him on board and finding a doctor in the US to do it for me. I know my husband will not let me go to Mexico. I hope you'll keep us all posted on your progress. All the best on your recovery and getting up and around!

Hey All, I've recently come over here from SleeveTalk because I'm thinking maybe the Lap-band is a better choice for me. I need to lose 50-60lbs max and like the idea that if something goes wrong or I just don't tolerate the band for any reason, it can be removed. Whereas if I had Sleeve or Plication, it's basically irreversible. Anyhoo, I'm hoping some of you will respond with some answers to my various questions/concerns. 1) Does your port show thru your skin a lot? 2) Does it hurt to get the fills? 3) Do you feel the band will continue to give you restriction for life as long as you eat healthy & exercise and get your fills? 4) How many fills do you usually need a year? 5) Did most of you lose your hair? Did it come back? 6) What are the worst side effects, things getting stuck, gas, etc???? Thank you so very much for any and all responses. I'm planning to go get a consult in Scottsdale, AZ right after the holidays. I spend the winters there and it would be an ideal time to do the band and spend the next 4-5 months being close to the doctor's office. So, if anyone has used Dr. John Barros in the Phoenix area, I'd love to hear from you. Thank you!!

Thanks for the thoughtful response, 316, that's a lot of helpful info. I'm going to take the next year and try ONE MORE TIME on my own, as my husband really wants me to. But if I'm still where I'm at a year from now, I have his support and my dr.'s support to go forward with surgery. Thanks again!

diamondkized, It looks like you had your WLS at Cleveland Clinic. I just recently filled out their health questionnaire in hopes of maybe getting Plication. I have a low bmi 30.6, so thought that maybe it'd be an option for me. There's also another surgeon, Dr. Cottam, who is a leader in the procedure using Endo-flip to guide the size and shape of the plication. I also just read a 12 year study on the Plication, it's done regularly in other countries (http://www.asir-journal.com/content/6/1/7) and they have some data on Cleveland Clinics website also. I'm really struggling as to what to do, I need to lose 50-60lbs and am not sure what procedure is best for that amount of weight lost. I do have support from my PCP, he knows I've lost/gained 20+years and just cannot maintain. Argghhh. My husband will not let me go to Mexico, he's just not good with that. So, I'll have to find a doctor in the US that will accept me as self-pay/low bmi. Just when I think I know for sure which procedure I want, I get second thoughts. Once you have VSG is there anything that you can never have done again, like an endoscopy or any testing that you can no longer ever have? It seems that Plication would make it impossible to ever get a scope down in your stomach again. Any thoughts??? Thanks!

Hello and thanks for this forum! Does anyone know whether having a hiatal hernia has any impact on whether you can have gastric sleeve? I suffer from terrible GERD and recently had a barium test showing the hiatal hernia - which I understand is very common and a common cause of GERD. Wondering if it would keep me from being able to have a GS or would GS have any impact on the HH? My sister is having GS 12/21/12 - she is 5'4" 200lbs, 60yrs old. She has co-morbidity issues of bhp, high cholesterol and borderline diabetes and her insurance is covering her procedure. I'm 5'8" 195-200lbs and 50 yrs old. I know I'm not as heavy, but have been losing and gaining weight over and over for 20 years. I'm so sick of this cycle of weight loss and gain. I can literally lose 20 and then have it back on plus more in 4 months. I'm seriously considering having sleeve just to help me end the cycle. I have depression & back/neck pain. I've had a breast reduction and twice tried lipo. I just can't keep weight off. I can white knuckle it to lose the weight for a while, but then I just fall off the wagon and spiral out of control. This has so taken a toll on my self-esteem and self-worth. I spend a great deal of time in my head feeling like a gross failure. I'm otherwise a really together person, but my weight is my one sticking point that I cannot deal with by will power alone. I'm a classic over-eater. Our mother and grandmother are/were both diabetic, so I know that I have that looming in my future if I don't get my weight under control. If I can afford to have GS, should I do it and end this cycle? Does anyone know what the procedure cost in the US? I'm not interested in going to Mexico. Thank you so much for your help and responses. Mari

Hey All, I'm 50, female, bmi 30.6. I'm looking into Plication at the Cleveland Clinic. I have my doctor's support as I've been losing and gaining for 20+years, been in the low 200's and as lite as 140'ish. I can never maintain and end up really depressed and beating myself up all the time. I have a strong family history of diabetes (grandma, mom, sister) and my sis is 60 and getting VSG in December. I don't want to be where she is in 10 years, but given my past history I think that's what will happen if I don't get something to aid me in my struggles. Some says "oh, you're not big enough..." but I'm trying to break the cycle now and opposed to 5 or 10 years from now. I have a couple questions for those that have had their plication. 1) is the diet post-op similar to the one for VSG? 2) do you lose hair post-op like most do with VSG? 3) what is the most common complication? I know leaking is the big one with VSG, what about Plication? Thank you very much!

Hello, I am a 50 year old woman, 5'8" 200lbs. I've yo-yo dieted for over 20 years and no matter what program I do or how much money and time I spend on it, I'm never able to maintain it long term. When I take those questionnaires for which diets are right for you, my main problem is always "hunger". I have a hard time controlling my eating because it takes a lot to satisfy me. My sis and mom are both diabetics - starting in their 60s. We have a family history of depression and I've been taking medications and therapy for depression since my 30's. I spend a BIG amount of my time feeling defeated and bad about myself because I can't master my weight. I beat myself up a lot, pretty much every day in my head. My sister is considering Gastric Sleeve for herself as she is about 70 lbs overweight with the on-start of diabetes and high blood pressure. So, my questions is, would I be crazy to consider getting Gastric Plication (at my own expense - I know insurance wouldn't consider me) to help me loss weight and control keeping it off for good this tim? The thought of living life with a chance to control my weight, be more active, feel better about my ability to keep it off and not be in a constant cycle of beating myself up would be a dream to me. Not to mention, perhaps staving off future weight related diseases like HBP or Diabetes. I've read that some people even lower or come off anti-depressants after they've maintained their healthy weight for a period of time. Let me say that I have no other addictions, don't smoke, drink maybe a single glass of wine out for dinner once a month, no recreational drug use - I just eat too much. I don't even really boredom eat, I just need a LOT of food to fee satisfied at a meal. I've done therapy and would be comfortable doing counseling or support groups after the surgery as another key to the success. I've read on the Cleveland Clinic website that they are now testing Plication as a tool for people who don't have great amounts to lose, but who need a smaller level of restriction. Does that make sense? I hope someone will give me their opinions, I ask my question with sincerity and respect and while I may not seem overweight enough to do something like this, I've been on this roller coaster for so long I'm just demoralized at this point. Thank you! Theosmom

Haven't been back for a while myself. But hello to you two that responded! I have finally brought this up with my doctor of 13 years and have his blessing to look into Plication or Sleeve. I'm waiting to hear from the Cleveland Clinic as they are doing some kind of trials for Plication for those with bmi's over 27. I spoke to the leading place here in MN and they won't do any procedures for less than 35 bmi, regardless of self-pay. So, I may have to go out of the US. Not my first choice, but i'm willing. For those who slam us for trying to stop our weight cycle NOW before we get heavier and heavier, all I can say is, "how did you get where you're at?" Apparently, they weren't able to stop at 180 or 190 or 200 lbs and I bet if they could go back and have had their procedures before they were heavier, they would. My sister is 60 years old and having VSG in December, she needs to lose 80 lbs and has co-morbidities. What is the point of me waiting until I'm there and having worse health along the way???? So, lower-bmi'ers, I'm with ya! Trying to stop the weight merry-go-round and get healthy once and for all. All my support to you and wishing you the best!

This is a huge concern for me. I already have really thin hair and the thought of losing more and never growing it back would almost stop me from pursuing VSG. Thank you!

Love this forum and have learned SO much from everyone. Okay, I'm 50, 5'8", 200lbs. I've suffered from depression, back and neck pain, and have yo-yo dieted for 20+ years with tons of shame/failure, etc. I've done every diet and lost and gained what feels like a million times. So, I'm thinking of doing the self-pay and either going to Mexico or trying find someone here. My big question is what do you do if your physician doesn't support you? I'm seeing him Wednesday and plan to tell him I'm determined to go forward. Thank you for your help!

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I really enjoy reading about your experiences.

I know that Lap-Band can go wrong inside you and need to be re-done. How long does VSG last, so to speak? Can you go many years without any complications? If the doctor x-rays you and sees no leaks, are you leak-free for life? What are the things that go wrong a year, two years or 5 or 10 years on? Thank you!

abetterme4.2, Thanks for your response. My only co-morbidities would be depression, GERD and back/neck pain. I love my physician but he is very, very conservative - which is usually good as he always checks everything out before he comes to a determination and is very, very careful. But he is just very no nonsense and doesn't like that I use Splenda! I anticipate he'll tell me I should do this by myself, regardless of the fact that he could look at my roller coaster weights if he went thru my history in his charts and see what a struggle I've had. My issue is that I've done so many different diets; WW 10-12 times, New Day, South Beach a half dozen times, supplements, eating prepared meals, self help books, therapy, you name it. The negative things that go thru my head because I feel like a failure all the time are just all consuming and I really don't want the next 20 years of my life to be like the last 20. You're right though, I may have to find a new doctor. I've also considered just setting it up and going to Mexico and doing it. But maybe they require a US doctor recommendation in Mexico?

Thanks, All! My sister is having gastric sleeve 12/12, so I'm going to get to see how she does and what her recovery is like first hand. Her's is covered by insurance as she has HBP/HChol. She needs to lose about 80+lbs and I need to lose 50+lbs.

SkyJack1 - I'm very similar to you, 5'8" 200lbs. After 20+ years of yo-yo dieting (I'm 50) and shame/failure cycle, I'm seriously considering doing what you did and self-pay for GS. I know my primary care physician will not be in support of this. I'm 50 and really can't stand the thought of going thru the next 20 years doing the diet roller coaster. How do you deal with not having the support of your physician? Thank you! PS: Have you had post surgery hair loss?

Thank you so much for your responses. I'm really consumed with thinking about this. I keep thinking "why can't I take off 40 dang lbs and keep it off, that would solve my problem." But, I've done it so many times only to be back where I was at within months. I can be throwing out jeans in May and re-buying the same size in Jan. When you pay out of your own pocket, do you still go thru the same steps re: psychiatrist, etc. I know my primary dr will not be supportive. He's super conservative and would want me to do it on my own. I had a killer night of heartburn last night, up all night taking tums and hoping it was over. Of course, it's my fault for eating too much and too late at night. Sucks! Thanks again!