Help please!

I'm amazed, you guys really are helping me get my brain wrapped around all of the options. It looks like some of you (from emails) opted to go with open surgeries because of potential gall bladder issues. I had mine out over 6 yrs. ago so I'd really rather do a laparoscopic procedure. My mom had an open RNY in Feb. and my daughter asked "Grandma, why'd they put a zipper in you?" lol Her scar is pretty vicious too and I'd just rather avoid that if at all possible. So so far it's looking like Dr. Joya is going to be my choice. I know people who went to Dr. Rumbaut and he does it laparoscopically, but it's just such a huge price difference. With 6 yrs. experience and 500 surgeries under his belt, I'm sure Dr. Joya is just fine. Thanks so much again everyone.

Hi Kimberly, You might want to check out the forum for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy or VSG. The forum for this group under the blue messageboard tab at the top of the page, and there is a link to a FAQ page on it. It is a "newer" surgery, although it really isn't, it's been around a long time. It removes a portion of your stomach, and does not change your intestines, therefore there are no malabsorbtion issues to deal with. Removing the excess stomach also removes the glad which secretes Ghrelin, which is responsible for appetite, among other things. If you have not made a clear decision on which surgery is right for you, please check this out. My profile has alot further detail about my husbands VSG surgery with Dr. Pleatman in Michigan, and the decision process that got us there. Go take a look and feel free to email me with any questions.... Best of luck to you no matter which way you go! Kim

Hi, Kimberly. I am one of the few who encountered complications, so I'm going to give you some honest perspective. I ended up with an obstruction after I got home. I was so sick, I couldn't make it back to Mexico. I tried, but only made it as far as NYC. I had laproscopic surgery there (it was much more painful than open RNY) to try to correct it. It worked for only a few days, and then I was sick again. Dr. Aguirre was calling me at home and on my cell EVERY day... BEGGING me to come back to Mexico so he could help me. I finally made it back and he did fix me completely... Thank God! He did not charge me for the 2nd surgery, but I did have to pay the hospital fee of almost $3000, which had to be paid before they released me. What I want you to know is that I have a bill for the NYC hospital for over $27,000 which my insurance company is probably not going to pay. I don't know what I'm going to do about it... and I'm not going to stress about it. Something will work out. I also had lots of money tied up in extra airfare that I wasn't planning on... and accomodations for my husband. It's been a terribly expensive summer. I had my gall bladder out 16 years ago, and still had complications from scar tissue. Dr. Aguirre is the BEST!!! I would absolutely go with him because he truly cares. He still emails me to check on how I'm doing. I hope this helps. Just know, the unexpected CAN happen... but that doesn't mean that it will! Traci

Hi Kimberly, Everyone here has given you a great prospective, I had the bypass done on 5/16/06 with Dr Joya. I considered having open done, but the healing time is alot longer. Call me at 920-285-6500 I would be happy to tell you my story. I know whatever the situation, you will do what is right for you! Take Care and let me know if I can help! Christina

Hi Kimberly, I just got back from Puerto Vallarta after having the VSG with Dr. Joya. He and his entire staff were excellent. The hospital was great and the nurses, too. Can't help you with your decision as to band or rny, buy can tell you that my experience was excellent with Dr. Joya.

Price was part of my decision to use Dr. Rumbaut. It was less than half the price of US surgery, and the surgeons in Mexico know it is an issue. I'm surprised at the response you received, and don't believe it is typical. I DO know, however, that a doctor in Dr. Rumbaut's practice talked to me by phone for a while. I was planning on having the "gold standard" RNY. However, he wanted to know my eating habits before surgery, because the LapBand works better on some folks and the RNY better on others. You should read up on both the lap and RNY. If, like me, you have problems with sugars and carbs (as in, eat too much of them) the RNY works better becasue usually, but not for everybody, sugars aren't tolerated as well for RNY patients. If, like me, you are a volume eater, then both RNY and LapBand work, because both restrict how much you can eat at a time. Both the RNY and LabBand can be eaten around, so in addition to the physical commitment you are making by getting your surgery, and the financial commitment becasue you are paying for it, you are making a mental commitment too. With the RNY there is a 'honeymoon' period of a year to 18 months where if you don't follow the rules, you'll lose weight anyway. However, if you don't follow the rules (protein first, excercise, drink water) you won't lose as much, as fast, and later you may gain some of it back. With the LapBand, once you are on solid food there isn't much of a 'honeymoon', it just limits the volume. I decided on the RNY because I was hoping for the "no sugar tolerance" thing. However, I can eat anything. Anything at all. However, on some things I can only have so much. Last night (a year out from surgery) we met the in-laws to be for the first time in Cle Elum (half way between their place and ours). And I ordered a dinner of fried chicken and ravioli and apple pie and ice cream for desert. I ate one ravioli, literally. One piece of the chicken. About 1/2 the pie slice and only a tablespoon or so of the ice cream. It was too much sugar and my stomach provided "gentle" cramping. Now, as to complications. Either surgery can have complications. LapBanders can have "erosion" from their lapbands and need it either removed or re-done (reversion) to an RNY. They can have problems getting fills (line up your fill doctor before going to Mexico for surgery if you decide on the LapBand). For both surgeries, it is surgery and there may be complications. Because RNY messes with your inarrds (spelling?) more, their is a higher chance of complications. AND THAT IS WHY I CHOSE DR. RUMBAUT. I read the profiles of the South of the Border posters. New and old. And with Dr. Rumbaut's patients there was almost nobody who had any complications (actually, I don't remember a single one). A number of people posted stating they were in the medical profession, and their hospital wasn't as clean, or the treatment wasn't as good. With other surgeons, though they also had positive reviews, people posted messages with complications, though they almost never blamed them on the surgeon. I figure if overall there is a higher rate of complications, it is time to look at a different surgeon. As you can see if you read my profile, I knew my gallbladder needed to come out and included that in the surgery. I ended up spending an extra day in the hospital because of pain (I have a high tolerance for most pain meds). However, I wasn't charged for it. No bill. I was impressed. Good luck in chosing a surgeon and a procedure. Look at everything and go ahead, ask the questions. Of us. Of the doctors' offices. Of the doctors. -Pam

I just wanted to thank you all again for responding to my inquiry. I made my appointment for Oct. 18th with Dr. Joya. I'm SO excited. My mom's best friend who is an RN is going to come with me, as well as my mom and then later my best friend (after my mom leaves). If you have surgery between now and then, please post about your experience and if you more stories to tell me, please share!

I have just gotten the surgery done. I went to mexico and went with dr. Joya. He was awesome. An amazing doctor. His prices are the best compare to rambrat. Dr Joya was 12500 including airfair and hotel. I didn't have any complacations. That day there were 5 women schedualed for surgery and all went great they as well had no complaications. If money is an issue your best choice is dr Joya simply you will pay less. And you will be taken really good care of. He is an amazing doc.