I'm calling it pre-op hell, where I still have this ferocious appetite, not much control over my diet at all. Trying to change eating habits at this time, more veggies, protein, & taking vitamins in preparations for surgery August 28th. Have all of the arrangements made up to my first post op aptmnt. on Sept. 4th to remove suturess if I have them. I guess I'll have sutures. The director of nursing where I work just had gastric sleeve done 2 weeks ago tuesday and she didn't have sutures, she was just "superglued" on the outside. My bariatric dr in the states is Dr. Brian Swain in Murray Ky. My best friend, the one going with me to mexico had her surgery/fill per this dr. as well. He's only an hour away, I got lucky when I found him, the only other option I had for my follow up care/fills was going to be in Cinncinati Oh. which is 5 hours away from me! I just found out earlier today that Dr. Swain would take me, as I'm having the band done in Mexico by another surgeon. The nurse I spoke with said more dr's are taking patients who had surgery out of the states nowadays. The first visit will be 450.00 the subsequent office visits/fills will be 200.00. This is also less than the Dr. in Cincinati was going to charge. I have been very fortunate in my quest for lapband surgery options. I found a reputable surgeon in Tijuana mexico with the awesome price of 3500.00, my flight is onlly 333.00 round trip, I have a fill dr. 1 hr from home... I have a best friend who was banded 3 years ago and also is a nurse. I feel very greatful that i'll have good care at decent prices...I just wish the day would ARRIVE! I can hardly stand myself. I want to be healthy and look good again...5 years ago I weighed 125 lbs, but I had to starve to get there and starve to maintain it. I took diet pills everyday just to maintain it. I hated the nervous feeling they gave me. HATED IT! Well, gotta go do something else. I just got a new laptop today so that I can stay in touch with you all on my trip in August... Enjoying sitting on the sofa on the pc rather than at the desk all the time. My right shoulder would kill me after just a short time on the desktop pc. Good-bye and Just a waitin'...