Sleeve Gastrectomy: Stories

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Lapband to Vertical Sleeve - Tijuana, Mexico

I have lost 30 pounds with a lapband, I had many...

  • 21 Sep 2012
  • 18 days pre

I have lost 30 pounds with a lapband, I had many issues, only 2 cc in my band. I am going to Dr Filipe in TJ Mexico in October to have a vertical sleeve surgery. I hope I won't regret it!!!!! I had to have my band defilled completely for a year. I have been having .2cc at a time and every 3 months have to have a fill and travel over 4 hours there and back. I just want to have a surgery and not to deal with the nonsense. I had to pay 16G for the band in Canada.

Great review?

My Doctor:

I had plastic surgery done in TJ with Dr Cardenas and trust her judgement and skills. She recommended Dr. F Garcia and many of her patients had surgeries done by him.

Comments (7)

Diane Roma 13 Feb 2013
I had the lap-band done in 2008. So far, I've only lost about 40 lbs. It's been depressing and frustrating. Today, I found out that my band is leaking. Regardless of which procedure I chose, I have to have surgery. Thinking of getting the sleeve but still unsure. Going to meet with the surgeon on Friday to discuss my options. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't have gone with the lap-band.
Monali Misra, MD, FACS 25 Feb 2013
A gastric sleeve procedure is definitely more effective than a gastric band. However, sleeve is more invasive and not reversible. I still advise against having any kind of surgery out of country. It is not because of poor surgical techniques; mostly because of lack of after care.
View answers from Monali Misra, MD, FACS
Monali Misra, MD, FACS 14 Dec 2012
One big issue with having a medical procedure done at a place far from your home is the follow up. I often wonder what happens when there is an issue or problem 3 or 4 months or even a year after some one has had a surgery far from his/her home? How do you ensure adequate care and follow up months and years later? Some thing to think about.
View answers from Monali Misra, MD, FACS
freespirit63 14 Dec 2012
True but if there are any issues, you contact a doctor and he will know what needs to be done and you have a follow up locally
Nicole85423 17 Oct 2012
Wow! You are the first person I have found that has had band issues like me. I only get .2cc and have had tremendous trouble with swelling!. I'm now considering the band to sleeve surgery so you MUST let us know how it goes for you!!!! Good Luck!!!!
freespirit63 17 Oct 2012
I am still not ready but have a great doctor I am going to. Where did you have yours done?
Kirsty at RealSelf (Community Manager) 23 Sep 2012

Hi there, thanks for sharing your journey with us and good luck with your upcoming surgery. You already look great in your pic, it doesn't look like you have a lot of weight to lose!

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