Sun Godess

Thanks! Good luck to you too, and yes, let's keep in touch!

They are! Many are US trained anyway.

Yeah, I'm not telling anybody hardly. My husband, cousin (who's in the process) and 2 friends (1 who's in process). Nobody else!! People don't understand who are/have not struggle with their weight, and especially have not researched Mexico. It sounds crazy if you don't know about Mexico. You have to do what YOU have to do, and not let other's fears keep YOU from living YOUR BEST LIFE! A long, healthy, happy, feel good life. They won't carry your weight, your sorrow, your diabetes, your heart disease if you come down with these co-morbidities for not getting it in control....they mean well, but do what is best for you!

I never got to the so called "green zone" and consistently got fills, and overall I did eat less than pre-surgery, but never waay smaller portions. All I got was increased unbearable heart burn with more fills! I started getting de-fills in October, and then in December and at that apt decided to move forward with the sleeve. Later realizing I'd have to go thru another 6/7 mo process with insurance and what if after all that they deny me? Said not waiting or taking that chance cuz I can just go to Mexico and move on with my life and start seeing results now and be up and moving before summer!

Wow! 3 days!!! Lucky! I'm flying the morning of.

I'm ready to see results, and I know I need this tool so I can't say I want to turn back, however I was sooooo very scared getting my lap band and often thought of turning back. I overcame it and did it...even tho it didn't work...I did it, so i'm braver this time around in some regards.

SweetSusy, I am nervous, but totally consumed trying to get thru this dang liquid diet now. I am nervous about it, mostly just because it's a revision surgery. I am ready to just get through it all and fast forward to at least pureed soft foods!!!!

I'm going to Oasis hospital with Dr. Illan.

i'm going to Mexico because I didn't want to wait another 6 months for my insurance to approve a revision, and possibly deny me. So, I just said nope, I'm doing it asap and make me happy! That means I have to pay, but it's worth it! How about you?

April 1st here. I'm on day 2 of liquid diet. No fun, I'm hungry, got horrible headache!!! I'm doing what I gotta do and telling myself to remember the bigger picture. I know it can only get better from here. I'm getting my lapband out and getting sleeve.

Thank you all! Everything you've said rings true. Although I know I'm taking a measured risk with surgery, I'm just nervous and hoping everything goes goes well. NoMoBand, you have a point. I have heard of heartburn with the sleeve. Unfortunately, I want this thing out, and know that for my greater long term health, I need a tool to help get me to a healthy weight. I have no health issues, other than being overweight, and do not want to be regretfully met by any because I did not get it under control. I hope the sleeve allows me to be successful.

So...I have a lap band. I never got to the "green zone" or optimal restriction, just increased unbearable heartburn with additional fills. I have insurance, and kind of fell into the revision process this December. My insurance requires the repeat of the 6 mos diet process again to submit for a revision to sleeve. I do not want to wait and take the chance of ultimately being denied. So, I have scheduled a revision with Dr. Illan in a few weeks. Everything is all set up. I told my lap band surgeon a couple weeks ago at my last appt. He seemed concerned but understood. This morning I got a personal call from my lap band surgeon. He said his partner was in surgery as we spoke trying to fix a leak from a patient who had a sleeve done in Mexico. He said he was not trying to scare me, because he understands that I have to do what I have to do. He was just warning me that they see this regularly. He did not know the doctor or anything. So, I feel that I have done a good job, but am worrying now about the what if's due to it being a "revision" surgery of lap band to sleeve, and the possibility of a leak. It is scaring me now, and whether they REALLY REALLY REALLY check thoroughly before closing you up! I know they do leak tests during and after, but then how does someone get home and then have a leak!?!?! He did say, yes, it can happen to anybody. I am just wondering, scared and slightly second guessing. I can't afford to get back home and have complications and be in the hospital! I have found one band to sleeve patient on here who went to Dr. Illan. I have heard all glowing reviews. I have phone conferenced with Dr. Illan and feel good. I don't want fear to hold me back. I don't want to wait until July/August to hope to have surgery and maybe be denied because there "technically" is no mechanical error with my band. I am ready to move on and find success NOW beginning of April, be several pounds down by summer, all healed up, and moving on with my life...not to mention over this heartburn! Any words of wisdom and experience...especially of band to sleeve revisions would be greatly appreciated!

Hello, I am having a band to sleeve with Dr. Illan on April 1. I visited the website MissKay shared, but it mentioned coverage for pre-existing conditions. I'm very interested in getting it just to be sure! Does it specifically cover "complications?" Also, any tips and notes about your experience with Dr. Illan. I'm nervous due to it being a revision.

Hello. Has anyone had a Lap Band to Sleeve revision with Dr. Illan? How was your experience, recovery and weight loss? I see lots of sleeves, but not band to sleeve revisions with him. I would love to hear!

April 1st with Dr. Illan. Band to Sleeve.