band to sleeve...help please...

[redmtn 0]

I have had the band -2 times now- and have had no success. ABsolutely none. So in the beginning stages of looking at sleeve. Have read some about Mexico doctors. Wonderng if anybody has experiences with doctors in Denver or Albuquerque. I don't know if insurance will pay again (they paid for one lapband). Also curious if get it done in Mexico if something happens back here, some complication....will insurance help with it?? Thanks for any help....

[jbtcat 0]

I was revised to a sleeve in Jan and ended up readmitted to the hospital 11 days later with a possible leak. I was glad I had the surgery done locally because I ended up very sick- on IV antibiotics for 5 days. I know, even working for an airline, I did not want to fly internationally when I am sick- I did it 3 times with the band. I know I could not afford a last minuet ticket to make sure I could be seen by my surgeon. Driving 15 min at the ER was bad enough- I was glad it was 5 a.m. on a Sat so there was no traffic. Driving an hour plus at least a 2 hour flight with a temp over 101 would not been pretty. I also do not speak any Spanish- so getting a taxi in a Mexican city to go to the doctor office or the hospital would have been fun.

I will admit I have multiple auto-immune diseases so being exposed to "foreign" bugs could have made me sick too. Many of the reasons that I should never have been banded- my doctor knew of my diseases.

[Rev Me Up! 75]

I was revised in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves. I talked to my insurance provider before I left to make sure they would be able to handle complications after the fact. They usually outsource their bariatric surgeries and said they would take care of any emergencis I might have. They have also allowed me to do their follow-up bloodwork protocol. You have to talk to your insurance folks and check before-hand.

Please look through the band-to-sleeve- revision discussion topic on the main page, scroll about half way down and you will see it. There are a lot of us revision folks out there.

I am very happy with my revision and would wholeheartedly recommend Dr Aceves. He has a great reputation, staff, and results.

Good luck with you decision,

Lara