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Hello all, I found this site today as I was searching for info on the VSG and decided to join. I have been researching Bypass and Lap-Band surgery for a few years now and I went to a Informational Seminar a few months ago and first heard about the Sleeve. I have a friend who had Bypass a few years ago and he has been telling me how great it is, but he wishes he could have done the Sleeve instead. I had been planning on doing Lap-Band as an out-of-pocket patient in June or July and started to get more and more interested in VSG. I have now set up an appointment to meet a surgeon on Thursday to discuss the VSG and I'm close to 100% sure that I will go this route in June or July instead.

I look forward to getting to know everyone better and using this Board as a support system.

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welcome aboard!

I'm just waiting on a date....sigh.

Good luck to you goodlife. I hope you get your date set soon. I'm pretty sure since I am a self-pay patient I will be able to just set the date. My wife and I are trying to close on a new house right now, so once that happens and we are moved in then I can set my date!:001_unsure:

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So from what I can tell most everyone here seems to go to Mexico for their surgeries. I am planning on doing mine here in the US and was wondering if I am in the minority here. I know that it is more expensive, I just want to be close to the wife and kids.

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Welcome! I had mine 45 minutes away from me in Pontiac, Michigan. I'm glad to see you pursuing this instead of throwing your money away on the band... you'll see as you research more what a humongous failure rate it has and what a high complication rate there is. The sleeve rocks!!

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Hi there and welcome. From someone that has experienced both the band and the sleeve, I can honestly tell you the sleeve is so much better.

Best wishes on your consult, and keep us posted on your progress. I had my band and VSG revision here in Florida.

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Hi there and welcome. From someone that has experienced both the band and the sleeve, I can honestly tell you the sleeve is so much better.

Best wishes on your consult, and keep us posted on your progress. I had my band and VSG revision here in Florida.

I will definitely keep you informed! The complications are scary, and since my father died 10 years ago from complications from surgery due his body filling up with stomach acid, this whole thing is even scarier, but I am sure that the VSG is the way I'm going! I will put my trust in God to protect me and guide the surgeons hands.

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I will definitely keep you informed! The complications are scary, and since my father died 10 years ago from complications from surgery due his body filling up with stomach acid, this whole thing is even scarier, but I am sure that the VSG is the way I'm going! I will put my trust in God to protect me and guide the surgeons hands.

I also had my surgery in the States, but traveled to find a surgeon that I trusted and could afford. (Went through Medical Tourism and spent over 1/2 what I was quoted to stay in town & that included hotel stays, etc.)

Sounds like there are definite options in the States that are affordable. But, definitely do your research. Just because they are close, does not mean they are good. Let us know if we can help you out in any way.

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I also had my surgeries (band and then revision to sleeve) done by a very experienced doc in the Dallas metroplex - self pay both times. I wish I hadn't wasted all that money on the band, but the sleeve wasn't available when I first started out. Just glad I was able to make the switch. Being a self-pay you should be able to book your date whenever there's an opening, or pick your date if done far enough in advance. Good luck!

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    • BabySpoons

      Sometimes reading the posts here make me wonder if some people just weren't mentally ready for WLS and needed more time with the bariatric team psychiatrist. Complaining about the limited drink/food choices early on... blah..blah...blah. The living to eat mentality really needs to go and be replaced with eating to live. JS
      · 1 reply
      1. Bypass2Freedom

        We have to remember that everyone moves at their own pace. For some it may be harder to adjust, people may have other factors at play that feed into the unhealthy relationship with food e.g. eating disorders, trauma. I'd hope those who you are referring to address this outside of this forum, with a professional.


        This is a place to feel safe to vent, seek advice, hopefully without judgement.


        Compassion goes a long way :)

    • Theweightisover2024🙌💪

      Question for anyone, how did you get your mind right before surgery? Like as far as eating better foods and just doing better in general? I'm having a really hard time with this. Any help is appreciated 🙏❤️
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      1. NickelChip

        I had about 6 months between deciding to do surgery and getting scheduled. I came across the book The Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Arizona, and started to implement some of the changes he recommended (and lost 13 lbs in the process without ever feeling deprived). The book is very simple, and the focus is on whole, plant based foods, but within reason. It's not an all or nothing approach, or going vegan or something, but focuses on improvement and aiming for getting it right 80-90% of the time. His suggestions are divided into 12 sections that you can tackle over time, perhaps one per month for a year if a person is just trying to improve nutrition and build good habits. They range from things like cutting out artificial sweetener or eating more beans to eating a pound of vegetables per day. I found it really effective pre-surgery and it's an eating style I will be working to get back to as I am further out from surgery and have more capacity. Small changes you can sustain will do the most for building good habits for life.

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        That sounds awesome. I'll have to check that out thanks!

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