Could someone please tell me.....

Could you guys please tell me how much your surgery was, with who and what type you had? Thanks I appreciate it! I am debating lap band again but had it in U.S 11-07 sleen infarct, infection, spleen removal and lap band removal soooo... I already spent my money in the U.S thought I might try mexico! Bu I am also considering VSG since maybe my body was rejecting the band I don"t know!!!

I had a DS with Dr. Marchesini in Brazil 8-23-06. The entire cost for everything you can imagine was $15,000.00.

There was a recent study on lap-bands.  Seven year post-op, 32% had to have folow-up reoperations due to all kinds of reasons.  One of the leading band manufacturers recently made a public policy statements that their band device is not meant to last beyond 10 years.  Are you really, really sure you want to give it another try?  One of the advantages that people like about it is that it has the lowest mortality rate (virtually zero) & it's "less invasive" b/c it doesn't cut your intestines or stomach, but a 32% reoperation rate doesn't bode well for being less invasive & if it's long-term data is not so good . . . personal decision . . .

I second the duodenal switch!  I'm going with Ungson in Hermosillo, Mexico, but have heard that Marchesini also is good & costs less (in Brazil).  If you've never heard of it, please, please, please, check out what it is by asking people who have had it not a surgeon who doesn't even know how to do it.  There's just so much bad info out there that's just plain false.  There's a duodenal switch forum that you can ask questions on.

Good luck in anything that you decide though!

I went to Monterrey, Mexico for VSG surgery on Jan 30th.  My surgeon was Dr. Zapata and you can read about him on www.ready4achange.com.   I spent a total of $10,000 whi*****luded 1 night at the hospital and 3 nights at a Sheraton 4 Points hotel, a driver that picks you up at the airport, takes you to the hospital and back to the airport.  I am about 12 days out and I'm feeling pretty good.  I'm amazed that I came out of surgery with almost no pain, no nausea and 2 days later I was walking the mall across the street from the hotel.  Good luck!