Expert: John Pilcher, MD - 2/13/2009

Question
I have decided to go to Mexico, Dr. Alvarez, to have VSG surgery.  I have sleep apnea, high bp, bad knees due to 3 surgeries, restless leg, and terrible snoring.  My daughter works for a gastro Dr. who is terribly upset about me deciding to to do this and telling her about the dangers, complications, etc. of VSG  - so much that he has called his own surgeon to have him call me personally to tell me not to do it.  He wants me to have lap band surgery with him instead of going to Dr. Alvarez and having VSG.  Is the risk of complications after VSG sugery this great?  I have had 3 friends go to the same surgeon in Mexico with fabulous results and no complications.  I am now totally confused - not to mention the fact my family is now pulling me from both sides.

Help please!

Answer
Susan,
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the VSG, or with surgeons in Mexico.  I have not had personal experience with Dr. Alvarez, but I know of many skilled surgeons in Mexico.

Nevertheless, the big key to success with bariatric surgery is the FOLLOW UP.  There is no surgical procedure that will "cure" your lifetime genetics of obesity, and the usual experience for someone who has surgery far away from home is that they do well initially, then over time the surgery "stops working" and they regain weight.  Your chances of long-term success are much better if your surgeon is located at a convenient drive (less than one hour) from your home, no matter what type of surgery you have done.

Also, I would not ignore the possibility of complications, and the implications of that event.  Excellent surgeons have complications from time to time, and some of those, such as a staple line bleed or a leak, could require weeks of hospitalization.  Most of us would not be prepared to do that in another country.

I hope this is helpful,
Dr JP