DS WITH DR. RAMOS KELLY - MEXICO???

I completely agree, I'll never be out of the woods really, for all the reasons you said.  I hope that my thoughts can help someone else make a better decision than I did, even if everything does turn out ok for me.  It's a little sad to give yourself this gift and then wonder if it really was a gift.

The abscess is looking much better and the culture came back and they changed antibiotics and don't they think they will have to open it but they're not ruling out the possibility yet, so we're keeping an eye on it. 

Thanks for asking,

Well, here's hoping all goes well forever and ever. Look at this important life experience and the contributions you can make to others from it. That's always a good thing.

Glad to hear you're seeing some improvement on the abscess. That whole cleanout, wet-dry pack etc. is icky. But if it's needed, you'll find the stomach to do it.

I guess my exposure to some pretty nasty stuff in animals while growing up on the ranch made me less easily icked out than some folks. My former housemate had a little bitty abscess that Dr. Greenbaum cleaned out in the office. I did her cleaning and packing and it was simple. She couldn't even look at it. Everyone is different.

No, the ONLY qualified DS surgeon in Mexico is Dr. Ungson. Maybe Dr. Kelly does a mean VSG. That is something a whole lot different than what YOU need. First, you are a revision and require a surgeon who is experienced in fixing/working around the damage your band has caused. Then you want the DS which is infinitely more difficult to perform than just a sleeve.

$16k IS a bargain basement price for one of the best DS surgeons available. Consider your self lucky that he is willing to do it.

Don't risk your life with butchers who lie about their surgical experience.

My darling new friend

I know that you are getting loads of advice on this thread. Please, Please listen to it! I have read so many horror stories about revisions gone wrong. It wasn't until I sat toe to toe with a young woman who nearly died from a surgeon who didn't know how to do a revision from lap band to the DS that I finally "got it". She happened upon my surgeon, Dr Ara Keshishian, in what I believe was divine intervention. She told me that after the butcher/doctor who attempted to remove her lap band was done with her, she was clinging to her life. By the time she made it to Dr. K she told me she only had a 30% chance of surviving her 2nd surgery. I looked at her and couldn't believe all that she had been through, simply because she wasn't able or willing to do her homework.

So, for the sake of your loved ones - your husband - please find a vetted surgeon. I would highly recommend mine. Dr Keshishian is incredible. There are only a few that I know of that are recommended for revisions. So, keep doing your homework and find the right doc for you.

I will pray that you get this done, and that you get it done by a well qualified surgeon.

Best wishes to you!

     In about 6 years on this forum I have yet to see even one DS patient with this surgeon. Not even one. What this tells me is that someone has either misled you or outright lied to you. He does not do the DS. At best, you will wake up with your band removed and a VSG. Or you might wake up with just your band removed. Or you might not wake up at all if he attempts a procedure on a high risk patient (revision) and doesn't do it right.
     Oh, and you will not get a refund on whatever he charges, which you will have paid up front. So you will have less money to proceed with a real DS with a real DS surgeon at some future date.

     I have no problem at all with people going to Mexico, or Brazil, or other countries for the DS, as long as they go to a qualified, experienced DS surgeon. I would feel exactly the same way if you were considering a USA surgeon who wasn't experienced with the DS.

Larra

Like the others have said.. please go to a vetted DS doc.. They have already listed the sites to visit for info...

Also consider Brazil if US prices are out of reach. Dr Antelmo and Dr Marchesini have a good record with revisions. So if you do not want Dr Ungson for some reason, consider Brazil as well. US docs for revisions would be Dr Stewart, Dr Keshisian, Dr Rabkin, Dr Greenbaum  and Dr Maguire, in no particular order.

I assume, your insurance will not cover being you were looking at Mexico. Please pick a vetted DS revision doc ! 

thank you all so much for the advice! I really, really, really appreciate the support!I am going to speak more with Dr. Ungson's office and see what other options i have if i get the band removed in the USA (if insurance will pay for removal only) and then head down to Mexico for the DS with him.XOXOXO - Amy

Amy,  Did you know there is a Houston DS support group?  Come join us.  We can fill you with information in person about surgeons to use.  We meet every second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m.

Hi, my name is Marie and I had the gastric sleeve with Dr. Ricardo R. Kelly . I can't thank him enough for all I have achieved in this period of time . I was operated November 2017 ; my BMI at the time was 51 and after the pre op diet it dropped to 48 with the OptiFast diet he used on me , I also suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure for 3 years prior to surgery but not anymore and I no longer use medication . Dr Kelly and his staff are very professional and always very personal with patients needs . Dr Kelly has always done follow up on me checking on my progress ; I've lost 145 pounds and I feel fantastic and my last lab results came up very well . I posted two pictures and I'm very proud of how I look but for the most part I'm amazed I no longer suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure . Dr Kelly is an experienced surgeon with amazing surgical skills but what I like the most from him is that he's humble and you can approach him anytime you need to talk to him , if you need any further information about me and my experience you can get in touch with me on PM , thank you from the bottom of my heart Dr Kelly .