LAP BAND VS VERTICAL SLEEVE

I wi**** were that easy.  My insurance didn't want to cover either me or my husband so we set out to get this done self-pay.  We don't have the money to go with another doctor here in the US and I don't want to go anywhere else in Mexico and pay full price for what my Dr's should be taking care of.  I honestly think that my band was defective as I started having problems 3 months post-op and everytime I've gone to try to get it fixed I get the "i'm not charging you anything but you have to pay the hospital bill" story.  Honestly, I don't think I should be having to pay anything, especially since for months and months they didn't even BELIEVE me when I said I was loosing all restriction and kept adjusting my band when I kept telling them that there was no point.  The office staff is well trained to say neither one of them is there when I call.  But I suppose that the conversion to VSG for only 4,400 is not too bad.  I've actually thought a couple of times that if I won the lottery I would get the VSG.  So I hope this works out, that way I won't have to see them again for a while.  My husband can go get his band adjustments by himself for a while, HA HA HA   This has been so frustrating that I even feel sort of a panic attack starting, even slight chest pains every time I have to go see them.   Thanks for your reply  :o)

 If you can get that revision for only $4400.... TAKE IT!!  Take it and RUN with it!!!  Never once have I personally regretted this decision.   For me, there have been ZERO issues with this.  In regards to your doc... be the squeaky wheel.  Take full advantage of that discount, even if it means you have to be a pain in his behind.  Just my 2 cents.

GOOD LUCK!  I'd be happy to answer any specific questions if you want to pm me.

Gretchen

LOL I guess I already am the squeaky wheel, and I think I will take advantage of that discount.  Thanks for the offer to PM, I just might take you up on it :o) 

You go girl! I agree with Old Medic. Its all in how much you want it and how much you are willing to do to get the weight off. I stuck with my Dr's recommendations and reached goal at 5 months and in the 4 months since that have continued to lose. Its the best thing I have ever done for my health!, bar none.

WOW, congratulations!   That sounds like a dream come true!  You must be very happy!  When I got banded in July 08 I thought I would be looking like a victoria's secret model by Christmas LOL boy was I wrong, but this is my second chance and I hope it works this time!  Thanks!  :o)

Yep, OldMedic said it best.  As for me, I love my sleeve.  I will be 9 months out next week and have lost 125lbs - 89% EWL.

All the best in your decision.
Ashley

That is a lot of weight, CONGRATULATIONS!  Thanks so much!  All of the posts have been very encouraging, and I really needed that.  Thanks!  :o)

OldMedic: That was a wonderful post. I am still in the long process of debating the Sleeve over the band. I am very grateful to have stumbled upon you post. Thank you-

As far as the Original Poster- I would get the revision if I were you. Don't let him forget what he promised you as far a price and such. Just think, after he's done witht he Sleeve you probably won't have to deal with the "If I have time" attitude. With a second band- you will.

I too have been very successful with my sleeve and had no problems post op. If you have the chance to revise to the sleeve from the band I say go for it.
In the past 11 mos I have lost 120 lbs and went from size 28 to size 6 petite. Sadly the sleeve did not make me any taller lol.
I can eat about anything albeit in small amounts. That having been said I have to be mindful about what I eat. That does NOT mean I have a diet mentality, it simply means I need to stay aware of what I am putting in my body and how much I am putting in. My surgery was not a magic bullet, I am still responsible for my choice though the sleeve helps by allowing me to feel full faster and stay full longer.
Old Medic was his usual descriptive and articulate self.

That is what I'm hoping for, get the sleeve and be done with them, at least for a while.  The NUT is a sweetheart, she is very nice and kind.  And so were the doctors... in the beginning, when they were trying to get my business, but now they treat me like a nuissance.  I hope they treat me decently during the band to VSG conversion.