jeffrey

VST addict--did Dr. Aceves do the plication or regular sleeve? I was checking out his clinic on line, and it sounds like people think he is great, but, there is'nt that "Center of Excellence" designation like Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. How did you decide on him? I am a self pay, but will not make this decision to save a few bucks.

Thanks so much for the advice. I have spent the last few days reading, reading, researching, and reading some more. It is scary the seeming disconnect between the advertising for the band and the actual experience of so many. The trend that even those who are happy with it at first become disenchanted is alarming. Which raises the question for me--most of the posts/advice, etc. are for people who were recently sleeved. Is there much experience years down the road, given how new the technique is? Will it lose effectiveness in time like the band does? At least there are no foreign bodies floating around and becoming embedded. Are there different techniques used to create the sleeve? If so, how so,j and what might be safest? The surgeon in my area, Dr. Jawad, appears to be really exceptional, has done somewhere around 200+ sleeves I think, but has been doing bypass for decades and was an early laproscopic surgeon and of course has done tons of bands. He was quite discouraging about the band. But, there is something about removing 80%+ of an organ and stitching up a big cut which seems inherently riskier and more extreme. In my reading, I have learned about a twist on the sleeve surgery--the plication technique, which sounds like rather than removing a big part of the stomach, it is kind of folded in and sewn tight, reducing the stomach like the regular sleeve surgery, but leaving the stomach intact so it can absorb nutrients (unlike the traditional VSG). But, it seems it is under FDA testing now, and I can't tell if it is really available (safely) in the U.S. (Also it is generally billed as being reversible at any time, though there are also reports that it is only reversible in the few days following surgery). There is mention of a few clinics involved in the studies, but I am having trouble following these references to anything definitive. I am willing to travel, but get very conflicting reports on the Mexican clinics, some of which seem to be really into the plication. Sounds like some of them are top notch, but how do you tell? Individual surgeons have reports of everything from butcher to savior (for the same surgeon!) I have an appointment with Dr. Jawad this week. He didn't mention plication in the seminar, but, maybe he knows something about it. Thoughts? I no longer am considering the band--thanks to everyone for the support and information. I cannot wait to post my own countdown. Your weight loss is amazing and inspiring. I am so tired of being fat, and so discouraged by losing and regaining the same 50 pounds over and over. As I told my doctor, I fear I will die trying to get this under control. I am 57, and would like to think I have a couple of good decades left if I can get beyond the excess weight and related health problems.