youknowit

Hi Gary, I went to Dr. A for my band removal last spring, and MAY just be there for my sleeve the same time/week as you. If so, I will certainly tromp down the hall to say hi! (Last time I was there, it was all ladies, so a gentleman down the hall will be easy to spot!). :thumbup: You will love Dr. A and Dr. Campo. They were both fantastic. The anesthesiologist was great too, and everyone there was just, well, great! I rarely had a language barrier, as everyone spoke decent to excellent English. I did make sure to print out the few phrases that might come in handy, like knowing how to tell them you're in pain... (dolor) that was helpful too. I also have a mini book of Daily Spanish for Dummies, which has been helpful... Here's to your journey, and I hope to see you there! :biggrin0::biggrin0:

Sending you good vibes and cheer.... finally, your sleeve day is here! :thumbup:

I am on depression medication already, prior to the surgery, and i know will need to go back on it as soon as possible after. Anyone else have experience with this? When I had my band removed in March, I had to gradually step-down my anti-depressants to get them out of my system as much as possible, pre-surgery. That wasn't totally terrible, however, within a month, I had to be back on the medication, I was a big mess. I'm sure losing my band, of which I had lost 78 pounds of the 100 I needed to lose, didn't help. Not being able to revise to a sleeve due to severe erosion also was terrible. So, I had a major compounding of immediate issues, along with the regular "depressive" issues. Ugh. So anyways, anyone with experience in this regard, I would love to hear it. If you feel uncomfortable talking here in the forum, please PM me. Thanks so much! :thumbup:

i just bought the isopure to TRY prior to proceeding on my journey... i am a bit trepidatious in trying it. i bought the only stuff i could find, also at CVS. it's not sugar free, so it probably tastes ok, but where can i find the right (sugar free) stuff? just hoping this stuff isn't too gnarly.

Hi Barbara, I'm hoping to come down that week or the one after that... Will be getting in touch with Nina to see if that's doable. Unfortunately, my work schedule won't allow for me to come the same day as you, but if I have my way, perhaps we will cross paths. Dr. Aceves is a great person and doc, and the team is great. I had my band removed by them last March, but due to erosion complications, I was not able to revise to a sleeve at that time. Had to wait a bit, so now I'm getting ready. Are they having you on a pre-op diet or anything like that? Congrats, and here's to a great experience for you! -- :thumbup:

I've become a mini-expert on the anemia stuff, being that I was in such a bad state early this year. All is going better now, but not perfect. I do the best I can, and yes, taking all those Iron supps each day for those months did cause me tummy problems. Once I was cut down to one per day, all calmed down, and all is well. :thumbup1: Glad you enjoyed the links... that website is very helpful. :wink0:

Oops, I forgot... of course if you have problems with your liver, that's no good... Here are some foods high in iron: What treatments are available to help me? Sometimes Iron deficiency anemia can be corrected by eating more iron-rich foods, such as meat, eggs, fish, poultry, greenleafy vegetables, and dried fruits. If your iron level is too low to be treated by increasing the intake of iron-rich foods, your doctor may recommend iron pills. Anemia and Nutrition: The Importance of Iron | Feature Articles | NAAC National Anemia Action Council Iron Deficiency Anemia | Information Handouts | NAAC National Anemia Action Council

There are a few different kinds of Iron that are over the counter, and quite a few that you can get from the doc as a scripts that are quick absorb, etc. Taking too much iron isn't good, but not having enough can kill you. I learned of this possibility the hard way. Ugh. If you ever need it, here are some different kinds and strengths over-the-counter: Over-the-Counter Iron supplements Contain Varying Amounts of Iron Iron Supplement Tablet Size Elemental Iron Ferrous fumarate 325 mg 108 mg Ferrous sulfate 325 mg 65 mg Ferrous gluconate 325 mg 35 mg A Physician?s Guide to Oral Iron Supplements | Feature Articles | NAAC National Anemia Action Council

Rosebud, Thank you so, so much for your insights. I must say, the amount of SLEEVE experience is ultimately VERY important to me, and should be to all patients. I was finally able to find out the pricing from Dr. Umbach's office, and I must say, it is very competitive... but then I asked myself, how is that? I asked for a breakdown of the fees, they told me how much goes to the surgeon, how much to the hospital. This made me wonder, who provides the staples - surgeon's office, or hospital. I am very aware, from extensive research, that the staples are rather expensive. So, then I'm wondering more about that part. I don't know the answer at this time. I have tried emailing/calling with them as well, and have still not been able to set up a consultation appointment. I told them in email I would pay for office consult, if necessary. Going to one of the "info" meeting won't do anything for me... I could probably run the meeting myself... What I want to ask about are very specific things that most newbies who are seeking weight loss surgery might not know or want to ask... I want to know everything I can, up front. Period. That's why I have turned to the boards here, medical journals, the ASBS, etc. I am a researcher by nature, and somewhat by trade, so knowing everything I can, to make an educated decision, is very important to me (and should be to everyone). I would have been SO pissed, beyond belief, to find out I was someone's "first sleeve" surgery... Knowing that in advance would be one thing, finding out after, a WHOLE other ball of wax. Wow. That's the most surprising part of your post... whoa.:tongue_smilie::confused::tongue_smilie::tongue_smilie:

Yes, I can see the doc you go to (you PM'd me, and I checked it out). I plan to "transition" to him with the insurance this week. I have to wait until next month to be able to see him, but I can switch my "paperwork" now... I'll let you know how it goes with him. :001_tongue:

PS - Prunes are delish! :001_tongue: Unfortunately, I am an expert on the "high iron" foods and food combos after all of this madness... :smile1:

In terms of "gastric bypass"... I truly believe, based on my very expensive trips to the gastroenterologist and his comments on my situation, that my Iron deficiency was due to the band. My hemoglobin was so low (6), they thought I must have leukemia or something really serious. After the band was removed, taking 3 iron pills a day, six months later, I'm finally at a "normal" level. It's not just about absorbing nutrients through our food, just because we don't have "bypass". We are eating LESS food. Period. Thus, less Vitamins, minerals, nutrients... It isn't a huge leap to believe that less food equals less nutrients, thus, possible issues, like anemia. (This could especially be a problem if we aren't always very careful about the nutrition in our food). "Malabsorption" isn't really the concern, per se, with the sleeve. However, just because there isn't a "bypass" mechanism, or an intended malabsorption, like bypass, doesn't mean "everything works the same" in our bodies. Clearly, that's not the case, which is the reason we get procedures like the band, sleeve, because our bodies working "the same/normally" isn't working for us. Just my $.33 :001_tongue::smile1::smile1:

Thanks so much, again, VegasAngel. You're awesome! I will say this, I'm open to any and all information that might be available from you or whomever might have something to share. I have received good information on the SF docs/program I'm pretty sure you are referring to, they sound fantastic. Really though, like you said, what's the difference between going to SF or going to MX? Nothing, really. What this really comes down to for me, I suppose, is the terrible treatment and prejudice I got here in Vegas after the two times I went to MX. In fact, my (fired) doctor at Southwest Medical put something in my file there, attributing all of my medical issues I was having (three months AFTER band removal), to having gone to Mexico. I hardly even remember telling her where I got my band/removal. I just told her I did, and she said, "I bet you went to Mexico", and I didn't say anything. Can I just say, I am STILL getting bills that SW Medical wouldn't pay in full, even for the specialist THEY sent me to, because they are now attributing unrelated things to my weightloss surgery? They CAN'T do anything about where I went, so they are using what I had done, to cause me serious problems. Needless to say, they won't pay for anything significant that is WLS related. I have been in touch with Nina at Dr. A's office, so I guess time will tell what I decide. I'm just wanting to get moving forward... I'm so tired of sliding backwards (into getting fat again).

Both times I had weightloss surgery, first to have my band placed, second to have it taken out, I did eventually lose a lot of hair. This is often attributed to a few things: anesthesia, vitamin/mineral loss, chemical changes due to weightloss, etc. First surgery, it started at about 3-4 months out. Second surgery, it started about 2-3 months out. I can attribute a lot of the loss in my second round of surgery, to the severe anemia I had, due to the band. Recently, an article was published about Iron deficiency and weight loss surgery. You can find it here, published in October. Weight-loss surgery brings risk of iron deficiency: MedlinePlus As far as my experience and research tells me, nothing can be done about the hairloss. Usually, it grows back, but it will take time... When you start seeing less and less hair in the drain, you've turned a corner. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the bump, Susan. I guess there isn't much info available... looks like none, actually. Thanks again!

Carolyn, I love your rant, and I feel the same!! I am one of those "lucky" people with insurance... that doesn't pay for nearly anything ($5,000 for life on gastric procedures - this doesn't even scratch the check-in at the hospital for the band, sleeve, etc, here in LV). AND, my insurance is through my employer, AND my insurance SUCKS (also an HMO, which is never friendly to anything that costs them up-front, or in general). With all the health care problems that may come with obesity, I cannot figure this stuff out either... The reason I have been asking about the Docs here in LV is for the very same reason many have mentioned -- staying close to home, care for complications, etc. Dr. Umbach seems to have a relatively reasonable self-pay price, especially for here in LV, but it's been hard to get an appointment with their office. Also, because the boards do tend to focus on MX docs (which is totally understandable), it is hard to do independent research on in-states sleeve surgeons. This, I believe, is a major drawback to staying here in the US, as the only information you can find generally comes directly from the stateside doctors own office... how might you find out about issues that might have come up, or other concerns, about real patients... if you can't do independent research? I'm doing my best, and hoping what I find is helpful. I'm almost at the point of going back to MX for my sleeve (background: had a band in 05, leak in 08, removal 09, hoped for a sleeve, but could do revision during band removal, gaining back all my weight now). :party4::thumbdown: Anyone else know ANYTHING about Las Vegas sleeve surgeons? I'm all ears...

Congrats! You are an inspiration. Glad to hear such a positive update! :w00t:

Hey Burnout! Nice to meet you. Where are you at on this big planet? How's it all going for you now? How was your transition back to "eating" after the liquids, mushies, etc? :w00t:

Hi Molly&Pepper, Thank you for posting this here. Regardless of the route I may ultimately choose, I am very interested in hearing all perspectives and thoughts. I'll say up front, I had a band in, and taken out in MX. I don't have a personal bias against it, or for it, but I have to be honest... having been down that road, I am not excited about the whole "trip" element of going back to MX for anything other than a margarita and the beach. I would truly love to stay closer to home if I can, but doing my "local" research, I haven't been very impressed with some of the other docs in Vegas, thus far. I haven't been to Umbach for a consult or anything yet, but I did go to Atkinson/Soong (Surgical Weight Control Center) and was very unhappy with my experience. I know Dr. Atkinson has an excellent reputation, but the office experience alone was so terrible, I have to pass (plus the $300 consult fee -- just to walk in the door -- was ridiculous, but I digress). Anyways, if you would like to PM me any additional information, or if you might feel comfortable talking with me about your journey on the phone, I would love that. Thank you again, and congrats on your (almost) one month sleeve-rsary. :w00t:

Hi Susan... Can you PM me who your PCP person is here in Las Vegas. The person I have now was a NIGHTMARE to work with when I was having trouble with my band, they used every single opportunity they could to bash me and having gone to MX. My complications happened nearly 3 years AFTER having the band placed, and it was due to a faulty product (band leak - Thanks and GRRR to Allergan, ugh). Any insights you can share would be great... being that we're both here in Vegas. I am still considering going back to Dr. Aceves for a sleeve, but am also looking at one doc here in town. Thanks again for all of your insights and support here on the boards! :lol0:

Does anyone know what the self-pay amount looks like going with LapSF and/or Dr. Cirangle? I'm in the process of researching further into doctors, and am hoping someone might know. I previously had a band for a few years that leaked and then eroded, it was removed in March this year (2009) and I'm slowly gaining. I couldn't have a revision at the time from band to sleeve due to the problems with my stomach from the erosion, etc. Any thoughts you might have would be helpful. I've been to MX twice for surgery, so I'm not scared of it... but I must say, I would like to stay closer to home this time if at all possible. Thanks for your kind help, in advance. :lol0:

I haven't been on here, or posted anything, in months and months... this is because in March 2009, I had to have my band removed. I am glad to see this forum discussing this critical issue of band failure and problems. I don't want to discourage people from doing what they want to, it's your body... and I will tell you that for a while, the band DID work for me, until it DIDN'T. Now, I am band-free, but gaining. And gaining. My band sprung a leak after 2 1/2 years of positive loss and changes to my life. This was devestating to me. But I had no idea something more troubling, devastating and stressful was coming -- trying to get the damn thing removed. I tried through my insurance first - no dice, because I had the band placed in MX and they literally told me "it's not hurting you to keep it in there" so they wouldn't help. I tried talking to Allergan - they are F-ing worthless. Told me their product is infallible, and to take a hike -- they also, oddly, told me it won't hurt me to "leave it in there" -- BS. I talked to some attorneys, they ALL turned me away - with the last person I spoke to (being one of the ONLY lawyers in the U.S. to sue Allergan regarding the lap-band) -- he said "the band is an excellent device, well researched and proven... I can't help you, good luck." Seriously? So... I had to wait, and wait... saved and saved money -- to get it removed on my own. It was in April 2008 that I discovered the problem, almost a year before I could get it removed. When I finally had enough money saved, I was going back to a great DR in MX for a removal and revision to sleeve... then more problems came to light. The doctor found that the band had started to erode into my stomach -- it had literally started to grow around the outside of the band, and it was eating INTO my stomach wall. What should have been a 30-60 minute surgery was much longer, much more complicated, and my tummy was such a mess, I could not have the revision. Thank goodness I had an honest and ethical doctor who, though he could have made twice the money from me doing a revision, literally gave me over half of my payment back, because they refused to do the sleeve, due to the seriously bad shape my stomach was in. Anyways, that's my band story. Got it in... never had one single problem, sprung a leak, nothing but problems from that point on. When my band was functioning properly, I had lost 78 pounds at one point. Without it, I have been struggling ever since. Have gained probably 35 pounds back over the time since it broke. Would I do it again, I would have to say no. This cost me a lot of money, a lot of mental and physical anguish, and I'm headed right back to where I started (in terms of weight). Every single day has been an emotional and physical struggle since my band broke, and since it has been removed... even more. I would caution those who want to cover their eyes and ears and ignore these warnings... the stats are only going UP for band failures (of all kinds) - leaks, breaks, erosions, slips, bubbles, port problems, etc. Do your homework, and I mean well beyond these forums... do the math (between having the band placed, adjustments, cost of many doctor visits in US after leak, then the removal), I could have self-paid here in the US for surgery 5 years ago... and it would STILL have been less expensive than the massive expenses I have incurred as well. Regardless, the monetary cost is nothing compared to the psychological cost... I hope my story helps someone. I try not to dwell on it, but some days I wake up sad and angry about this... and with good reason. Every single day was a struggle before the band, and since it broke, its been BEYOND a struggle after. Best wishes to all! :sad:

Thank you so much for your thoughts and insights. I'm going to talk with them again next week... I'll let you know what I hear. :scared2:

Hi george. Thank you for the info. I think I'm confused... Did you have surgery with Atkinson's office? Do you do your adjustments etc there? Do they charge anything for that? How is the aftercare?