VSG at Scripps Clinic

zafiro · October 4, 2009

Hi- I have been studying, debating and going through all the inner turmoil of having the surgery. Been to support group - although I don't see them that well attended

Thought I want band; but now I think I want to have sleeve. I'm just a big chicken - a little bit of knowledge is dangerous - I'm a nurse and can think of all the things that can go wrong - It's hard to get stats on post op complications etc. Anyone have surgery with Dr Tekata ? Dr Fuller?

Is there anybody that regrets having had the the surgery?

What's the worst post op complicaiton you have experienced - other than leakage

Malaika · October 4, 2009

Hi- I have been studying, debating and going through all the inner turmoil of having the surgery. Been to support group - although I don't see them that well attended
Thought I want band; but now I think I want to have sleeve. I'm just a big chicken - a little bit of knowledge is dangerous - I'm a nurse and can think of all the things that can go wrong - It's hard to get stats on post op complications etc. Anyone have surgery with Dr Tekata ? Dr Fuller?

Is there anybody that regrets having had the the surgery?

What's the worst post op complicaiton you have experienced - other than leakage

Welcome to the family Zafiro - happy to have you here. Your apprhension is normal, we've all gone through it or are going through it.

I am almost 4 months out and I can say now that I am not the least bit sorry that I had the surgery -- now, if you'd ask me about month 2, I'd have had a hard time saying that.

My worst post-op issue has been esophogeal spasming and the surgeon believes that is caused by the fact that I had a hiatal hernia repaired and also believes it will dissipate by 6 months out -- I can tell you it has definitely gotten better from where I was at 1 month.

There are a lot of people on this forum who have revised from the band to the sleeve -- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read their stories before settling on the band.

ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS - SOMEONE HERE WILL ANSWER YOU!

3636millie · October 4, 2009

Please, whatever you do, DO NOT GET THE BAND. I made the mistake of getting the Band. You can go to some of my postings here and on the LapBandTalk site to see what all has happened to me. I followed all the "rules and regulations" to a "T". I swear to god, if you have a problem, it is because you don't "chew, chew, chew", etc. Doesn't matter what is going on, that is the conclusion the surgeon will jump to before even listening to what is going on with you. What a bunch of bull..... The Band should be outlawed. I am looking forward to getting this thing out of me and converting to the sleeve in December (I now have all the Fluid out of my band and am waiting for the swelling, etc to get better).

It has been a very costly mistake, this band has. I can't tell you how much money I spent for the initial surgery (even though the insurance paid for alot of it-my surgeon charged a $3000.00 "support" fee not covered by insurance, he only used an anesthesiologist who does not contract with the same insurances and insisted on getting the whole amount he charged out of me, which was twice what any one else charged-I think he and the surgeon split the "profits", etc). I had many fills and unfills, surgery for lysis of adhesions around the band, etc. All total it has been around $15,000 out of pocket. And believe it or not, the insurance has paid 80%.

As stated, I will ge getting the revision to the sleeve in December. I am going to Mexico to Dr. Aceves. My insurance will pay for a revision if I have it done in the U.S. but I want Dr. Aceves to do it because of his experience.

I only wish I would have been smart enough to go with the sleeve in the first place. It is the same as a partial gastrectomy and it has been done for years. There are several people I know that have had the gastrectomy done for other reasons more than 20 years ago and they are "going strong." JUST TO REPEAT: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT GET THE BAND!!!!