A week from my scheduled date and the office changes my date and surgeon pushes lap band!

[christiemon 20]

Unfortunately I didn't know much about the sleeve when I started my journey to get weight loss surgery back in September. Thankful for the six months diet and exercise from Cigna - after more research I decieded I didn't want to walk, I wanted to RUN from the lap band. I had my gall bladder removed from my surgeon last week at his center and I was listening to a woman who was on the phone while waiting for her mother to be released from surgery talking about all the complications she was having after having the lap band in and how sad it was. I felt completely affirmed that I was doing the right thing and proud of myself for fighting for the sleeve. So anyways I'm one of the first they will be doing for the sleeve - and I was scheduled for the 13th. Been doing fabulous on my pre-op diet - down 14 pounds in a week....and they call me yesterday and say they have to change my date (they've already changed it once, just by a few days) to out another week. A week which I couldn't take off work so I don't know when or if it's going to happen now

I happened to stop by the office for my post op gall bladder and the surgeon was such high pressure and mean that I just want to get my money back and cancel. I usually deal with the other surgeon but this one would be the "co-surgeon" on my surgery. Basically he told me it was the 20th or nothing and we should just cancel. They have two other sleeves scheduled and a specialist flying in to assist which was supposed to be "his tickets are purchased" for my date on the 13th. They tell me different reasons that don't really add up as to why they changed my date even though I told them I have my time off scheduled, my husband's time off, family coming to help me, etc....this really puts me in a bind.

So I'm getting ready to leave, and in tears (I already have very bad, emotional day at work) and the surgeon wants to meet with me. He and his nurse meet me in an office and he starts asking me why I didn't want the lap band (which is what they primarily do) I explained after my research and the amount of complications from the lap band without sufficient weight loss I really felt the sleeve was for me. I said I'm only doing this once and I hear so many horror stories about people miserable with the lap band, they have it taken out and they get the sleeve. He tells me I need to understand that I could die if I get the sleeve and that's why severe the surgery is and tries to push the lap band on me - that he's done so many and they are experts on the band and he even put on in his own mother, and I should trust them, blah blah blah. Thank God for the nurse who did keep saying that "She's been saying she wants the Sleeve for a long time now - that's what she wants...." He kinda hemmed and hawed, but basically the nurse was saying she would see what she could do and the surgeon just left me with a bad taste.

I'm really thinking about getting my money back on Monday. I've already paid all my out of pocket costs. Basically this would be in the of my journey - because I don't think I'm going to have my insurance much longer and I can't afford to start all over again.

What would you do?

[ybnormal 21]

If it were me, I'd get my money back and find someone else. It sounds to me like he maybe doesn't know what he's doing with the sleeve and therefore leery of doing the surgery. RUN! I'd find another Dr.

just my 2 cents.

Renee`

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Theres always Mexico..... start saving if you can't go to another Dr. You probably would not have to start over, just transfer the testing to the new Doc.

[Bryn 3]

Wow, I don't understand how a surgeon offers the VSG, but then will not perform it. To me it seems as if he can't get the specialist in and he isn't confident in his ability to perform the sleeve. If I were you, i would get my money back, ask for your medical records and move to a different surgeon who is willing to perform the sleeve on you.

[LissaD 1]

RUN!!!!! and dont past GO or collect $200!!! You need to find a different surgeon

Mel

[Beadingnurse 116]

I would be very leery of having surgery with this guy!!! You'd be safer to find someone who is comfortable with the sleeve and doesn't have to be talked into doing it. I know you just want to get it done but better to have it take a few more months and have it done right!

[AutumnLily 77]

I have to say several red flags were going off in my head as I was reading your story. I agree with everyone run as fast as you can away from this doctor. This is your life and if he is not confident with performing the surgery you should not be confident in him either. Are there any other doctors in your area that have performed the sleeve? I would look around and see if you can transfer everything to another doctor. You may have to wait a bit but its better than the option you have right now. I get a veryyyy badddd feeling about the doctor you are seeing right now.

Find another doc explain your circumstance and see if he can accomodate your original surgery date. You will never know if you do not ask.

[kelli 3]

That is some scary stuff for sure, I agree .you need to find another surgeon who has experience, you will thank yourself for doing that later on when you dont have any complications, or at least the potential ones you cold have with your current surgeon.

[onemoretry1 0]

WOW! That is very scary, I say run, run, and run some more, don't look back it slows you down. Find another surgeon, that believes in himself.

[christiemon 20]

Thank you for the affirmation ladies - I emailed my surgeons office for a refund yesterday - hopefully I wont have any problems with a refund or their being willing to transfer all my medical papers over to another office. I'm in the Phoenix area so I know there are many experienced surgeons out here and I should be able to find one I will be in good hands. = ) Many thank yous

[1-4-Many 2]

I haven't read all of the answers so forgive me if someone else has suggested this.

Start researching and call every where within whatever your comfort radias is that does the sleeve. I was ready to bail on my program because they had cancelled my date twice before they finally actually did the surgery. And when I did I found out they have an existing reputation and another facility actually has developed a "fast track" program for people leaving mine. They offered it to me and said that if I had the time to squeeze in a few appts., I could have surgery within 2 to 3 weeks.

It's worth a shot. Especially if you are already have the financial issue worked out.

...And what the heck is up with the you could die part? Surgically it's easier than gastric bypass. What a dweeb....

[Rev Me Up! 75]

Yikes! I can't say much more than has already been said here. See if you can get a referral to an experienced VSG surgeon instead. I am a former lap-bander and my surgery was performed by an excellent surgeon who had tons of experience with the lap band and my band experience still sucked. I didn't have complications, but the band didn't work and it was not fun to have it in my body. DO NOT GET THE LAP BAND. That doctor has his head up his ass if he thinks the band is safer than the sleeve.

Even Allergan admit that 25% of people have had them removed after 5 years. I think the real stats are much higher.

Good luck in finding a supportive doctor--

Lara

[Rainydayz 27]

If you don't mind saying who is the dr. that was pushing the band? Other people in your area might be interested to know and not waste their time going to him. Good luck with a new surgeon. You've got great advice here.

[Browneyedsouljah 5]

I think you did the best thing by requesting a refund. The doctor didnt have the experience to do the sleeve and tried to impose his will of giving you the lap band. Good for you for knowing and standing up for what you need for you!! I don't know what your financial situation but there are alot patients of Dr. Aceves on this forum and they all seem to be very happy and had great results. The one thing I knew I wanted when I started this journey was a surgeon with experience with the sleeve. I think its vital that I be comfortable with all aspects and thus far I am. Good luck!

[Penpen 28]

There's no way that I let this surgeon operate on me...money back or not. And yes, HIM operating may result in death!!! NO WAY!! RUN AWAY FROM HIM!!!