I'm impatiently waiting to have WLS on august 28th 2012, I can hardly wait... I have dug out my carry-0n bag, my suitcase, picked my seats on the airline (in the rear of plane of course, less impact...) HAHA. I'm not afraid, but when I googled the type of jet i'll be flying from Paducah ky, to Chicago a picture of a plane sitting in water popped up!! The one where the pilot miraculously landed the jet in the bay in New York a while back...OMG!!! But, anyways... I weigh 183 lbs, I want to weigh around 125. I'm 5'3" the dr says this is ideal for my height...I have bought new skinny clothes. hung them around the bedroom to look at...Cute! stuff! can't wait until they fit... I'm very new to blogs, forums, tickers and all of this. but i'm getting around on this site a little better. I think it is awesome to be able to obtain/share info with others going through this same experience... I do work with another nurse who had lapband a while back (she lost 85 lbs) and looks awesome... Very pretty/healthy looking...I have struggled with my weight all my life. I've had spells where my weight was down but I had to STARVE to maintain it. My thyroid is okay the dr says...I live in western ky. found a dr. near cincinatti that will do my follow up care as i am having surgery in mexico... He takes any WLS patients from any surgeon, even if you have complications.. His name on internet is thebanddr. for pete's sake. I was going to have the sleeve done until I found him. He charges 500.00 for first fill with fluorscopy, the 100.oo for subsequent fills. very reasonable...He's 41/2 hours away, but i'll enjoy the time away from home. I never go anywhere except work.. I'm a RN, wife, mother of 2 grown boys, have a teacup chihuahua Teko, and about 60 chickens. I raise fancy bantam chickens... I'm obsessed with them. I grew up up north and have ended up more southern than anyone I know...haha... I have 2 nursing jobs, one fulltime, one parttime,(1-2 days/wk) I work 12hr shifts at my first job which is only 3 days/wk. I've saved cash for this surgery by working 2 jobs... I am soooo determined to make this successful...My BMI is too low in the states for insurance to consider me, so i'm gone to m-e-x-i-c-o... I look forward to the trip as much as the surgery. I've researched and researched on this surgeon Dr. Mario Almanza-reyes, and haveread a few negative things like incision-site infections, (which happens in the u.s. everyday) which usually is due to the patient touching the suture-sites with dirty hands, or not using good technique when cleaning the skin/caring for the incision sites... No major complilcations have I read about, but alot of people want to be negative about mexican surgeons because they're probably just prejudiced about any foreign people period.... Why pay 20,000 for something when you can get the same thing (plus excellent service in Mexico, I hear? The dr. lives across the street from the hospital and also takes you shopping in Tijuana as part of your recovery!! That would NEVER happen in the US, EVER.... Anyways, the surgery, flights, insurance for surgery for 1 year (covers any complications, flights, etc)costs 4500.00 for everything...I become so upset when I hear negative remarks about surgery in Mexico online...Do your research and go with your gut, and you could save 15,000.00 or so. And not have to jump through hoops for insurance companies...Well, it's 4:30am time to wake up my hardworking hubby for work... Thanks for reading my jumbled thoughts....