Something to think about...
Hi there. Thanks for your reply. I am going to continue to do research and look for other surgeons. I can't afford 16K though. I wish I could. I am not choosing based solely on price. Price is an issue but I am also looking into the surgeon's background and medical history. So if you hear or know about any other doctor please let me know. Thanks.
In that case, check out Dr. Aceves. He is a good Sleeve surgeon, and frankly, a Sleeve will likely serve you better than an RNY. It would allow you to keep a fully-functional stomach and will certainly help you lose weight---maybe not all you want to lose, but no form of WLS can guarantee that. My only hesitation with the Sleeve is we don't have any long-term data on how well it MAINTAINS weight loss---and perhaps if you get the Sleeve, you can add the 'switch' to it later, to help you maintain. Of course, that would mean having surgery twice, and would cost, in the long run, more than having the whole DS in a single surgery---but you would be able to get some weight off right away.
Hi Mimi,
You seem like a very nice and thoughtful person and I wish you the best.
Speaking as a person who had a very negative experience with a surgeon resulting in major complications, I would advise you to take to heart the things you hear and read.
Weight loss surgery is a very complicated matter and in the wrong hands, can be life threatening. It's an incredibly risky venture and you want to start out with the best possible results and if you rely on a surgeon who is sub par, the chance of getting those good results is lessened considerably.
I had the lapband surgery done and had to have emergency removal more than 6 years ago. I still have lingering pain and health issues directly attributable to the band. You don't want to risk your health because once that is compromised, it's difficult or even impossible to get it back.
I truly wish you the very best and hope you can find a workable solution for yourself. Good luck.
Nicci
You seem like a very nice and thoughtful person and I wish you the best.
Speaking as a person who had a very negative experience with a surgeon resulting in major complications, I would advise you to take to heart the things you hear and read.
Weight loss surgery is a very complicated matter and in the wrong hands, can be life threatening. It's an incredibly risky venture and you want to start out with the best possible results and if you rely on a surgeon who is sub par, the chance of getting those good results is lessened considerably.
I had the lapband surgery done and had to have emergency removal more than 6 years ago. I still have lingering pain and health issues directly attributable to the band. You don't want to risk your health because once that is compromised, it's difficult or even impossible to get it back.
I truly wish you the very best and hope you can find a workable solution for yourself. Good luck.
Nicci
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
"Fact is there isn't a doctor out there that doesn't have a bad story somewhere in their doctoral history."
That doesn't mean all surgeons are equally skilled though. I have seen this argument made all the time as an excuse to continue to use a surgeon that has a horrible history and is not skilled enough to do this surgery safely just to save some money.
If you can't afford to get surgery from a good doctor who won't kill you or medicalize you for life, then you can't afford to have surgery. Period.
That doesn't mean all surgeons are equally skilled though. I have seen this argument made all the time as an excuse to continue to use a surgeon that has a horrible history and is not skilled enough to do this surgery safely just to save some money.
If you can't afford to get surgery from a good doctor who won't kill you or medicalize you for life, then you can't afford to have surgery. Period.
HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
Visit my blog at Fatty Fights Back Become a Fan on Facebook!
Starting BMI 40-ish or less? Join the LightWeights
And I agree with this comment. If I knew a doctor wasn't skilled or qualified, I wouldn't have surgery. But I have been getting mixed responses. I have heard alot of good, and then some bad. The good outweigh the bad though. I just want to know I am making the right decision, and I don't want to be judged on the decision I choose. That's all I was basically saying. Thanks for your reply though and I do agree.
I think it depends on what the negative feedback is.
If people tell you about how they had horrible complications and almost died, I think you really, really have to look at that because very few surgeons get *that* kind of negative feedback even mediocre ones. Most surgeons haven't had even one patient die or at most there was one and usually it was a long time ago and/or there are extenuating cir****tances.
But if someone says your surgeon is a jerk... well, it depends on HOW they are a jerk. If it's a way that will negatively impact you and then later you complain about how your surgeon is a jerk, you very well might get some people saying "I told you so". It's not supportive, but it's hard to stop them.
But most people will still give you advice and listen to you even if you pick a surgeon they don't like or have heard bad things about. 
Heck, even people who go to known butchers usually get supportive treatment even if their surgery goes horribly wrong and people DID tell them so.
So I don't think this is anything you really have to worry about.
If people tell you about how they had horrible complications and almost died, I think you really, really have to look at that because very few surgeons get *that* kind of negative feedback even mediocre ones. Most surgeons haven't had even one patient die or at most there was one and usually it was a long time ago and/or there are extenuating cir****tances.
But if someone says your surgeon is a jerk... well, it depends on HOW they are a jerk. If it's a way that will negatively impact you and then later you complain about how your surgeon is a jerk, you very well might get some people saying "I told you so". It's not supportive, but it's hard to stop them.
But most people will still give you advice and listen to you even if you pick a surgeon they don't like or have heard bad things about. Heck, even people who go to known butchers usually get supportive treatment even if their surgery goes horribly wrong and people DID tell them so.
So I don't think this is anything you really have to worry about.
HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
Visit my blog at Fatty Fights Back Become a Fan on Facebook!
Starting BMI 40-ish or less? Join the LightWeights
Howdy there -
I really discourage you from using this mode of logical reasoning. I mean, this is pretty much how I buy a video game or a book. I look on Amazon, and I see mixed responses, and hrm... I don't know... seems like the good responses outweigh the bad, so I end up buying another video game I don't have time to play in the first place....
Back on topic. While taking "more good than bad" is okay for the small things in life, it may not be an adequate or safe logical filtering method for major things in life, like having your guts surgically rearranged. Remember, if your surgeon makes a mistake, you will live with it for the rest of your life, which could be quite short depending on the blunder.
There are plenty of surgeons, yes, even in the "backwaters" of our neighbor, Mexico, that are difficult to find negatvie feedback about. You are correct to indicate that no surgeon will have a perfect record; however, if you actually have to "weigh" the good and bad, the surgeon isn't good enough. In that case, I would say the surgeon is not qualified, especially in comparison to his peers. There should be nearly or no loss of life in their experience, and a low, low complication rate, like 1-2% odds.
I know you're anxious to get to a regular weight and do the things you want in life, but don't sell yourself short. Either wait longer and save more money for a US surgery, or continue to vet the hundreds of surgeons in Mexico, many of whom have muuuuuuch better track records. Stack the odds in your favor, not against you.
Good luck!
I really discourage you from using this mode of logical reasoning. I mean, this is pretty much how I buy a video game or a book. I look on Amazon, and I see mixed responses, and hrm... I don't know... seems like the good responses outweigh the bad, so I end up buying another video game I don't have time to play in the first place....
Back on topic. While taking "more good than bad" is okay for the small things in life, it may not be an adequate or safe logical filtering method for major things in life, like having your guts surgically rearranged. Remember, if your surgeon makes a mistake, you will live with it for the rest of your life, which could be quite short depending on the blunder.
There are plenty of surgeons, yes, even in the "backwaters" of our neighbor, Mexico, that are difficult to find negatvie feedback about. You are correct to indicate that no surgeon will have a perfect record; however, if you actually have to "weigh" the good and bad, the surgeon isn't good enough. In that case, I would say the surgeon is not qualified, especially in comparison to his peers. There should be nearly or no loss of life in their experience, and a low, low complication rate, like 1-2% odds.
I know you're anxious to get to a regular weight and do the things you want in life, but don't sell yourself short. Either wait longer and save more money for a US surgery, or continue to vet the hundreds of surgeons in Mexico, many of whom have muuuuuuch better track records. Stack the odds in your favor, not against you.
Good luck!
Heaviest weight: 310 pounds (Male, 5'10")
Most Active
Recent Topics
