Mommato4

I had been to a couple surgeons who only did lap band and this last seminar talked about the gastric sleeve as well. I'm now trying to decide between the two. I know the complications of both....with the sleeve I like that there aren't any adjustments or pb'ing or getting "stuck", but I don't like the idea of how permanent it is. I would love to hear some opinions from others on the topic. Thanks!! Kylie

New here...but not to medicine...I don't believe that the head of the center would allow him to do that type of surgery if he wasn't capable. It's possible that he had someone who knew what they were doing in there with him while he did his first few just to have another pair of eyes. Doctors won't risk malpractice (or a patients life) by doing trial and err on a living patients. So my feelings are that if he thought himself capable of performing the surgery and has done so successfully before, I would trust him.

I had been to a couple surgeons who only did lap band and this last seminar talked about the gastric sleeve as well. I'm now trying to decide between the two. I know the complications of both....with the sleeve I like that there aren't any adjustments or pb'ing or getting "stuck", but I don't like the idea of how permanent it is. I would love to hear some opinions from others on the topic. Thanks!! Kylie

Thank you for your responses I posted the same entry on lapbandtalk and got one response telling me to come here lol. I think my biggest concern is that if something can go wrong it will (with me that is)...I'm a walking murphy's law. My mother was a nurse and talked about "GBGB" patients quite a bit (that's Gastric Bypass Gone Bad). I know this isn't a bypass operation but those stories still haunt me. I figured with the lapband if something were to go wrong I could just have it taken out....but when I looked at all the complications that could happen with it is when I thought about the VGS. My other concern is that I have bad GERD already and the surgeon said he doesn't recommend it for GERD. I used to not have but after four babies, a hiatal hernia, and being heavy it just happens. I'm hoping getting the hernia fixed will help as well as a diet change.

Called this morning, she promises there is no program fee!!! Yay! But I still have to go to the seminar lol

Hello all! I don't know if I'll get in in August or not...but here's to wishing :scared2: My insurance covers it with no pre req diet or anything so at least I know I won't have to do that. My name is Kylie, I'm 5'8 and 330 pounds *blech* I have a great husband who has been going to lots of seminars with me and 4 kids (3 boys ages 11, 10, and 7, and one girl age 5). I am just ready to get this going!!! Trying to find a surgeon who doesn't have an outrageous "program" fee.

Thank you for responding I went to his seminar last week. I tried negotiating the program fee but they wouldn't budge and they wanted it all before they would submit it not just half. He also wasn't the most patient man, I asked a couple questions and he interupted me both times to answer the question he thought I was asking but never let me finish. He may be an excellent surgeon but I was left with a less good feeling about the experience.

Going to the Bridges seminar on Tuesday and then will make my decision. Biggest thing is the "program fee" the others are charging...if I do those then I have to wait till next year.

Thank you so much for your info.....I scheduled my seminar :smile: How are you doing?

That is so awesome!!! I don't know if I have to do hoops yet. I'm just getting started.

Thank you! I know my insurance covers it 100% and doesn't require anything other than proof that I've tried diets in the past. The first surgeon I was looking at charges a $1000 program fee in addition to all that my insurance covers and told me that was normal for wls centers.

Congratulations!!! I'm currently looking for a surgeon...I live in northwest Phoenix. Does Dr. Juarez have a program fee for people who pay with insurance?

I was looking for information regarding the program fees for Dr. Simpson. I went to a seminar for a different doctor and theirs was $1000. I called around to a few different places and when I called Southwest the lady seemed puzzled as to what I was referring to and said they had no program fee, yet on here it says he does. I don't really want to go to another seminar if I don't have too, any info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you :thumbup: