bugwitch

**I posted this in another section but someone suggested I post it here. Hope that's okay!** Hi all...I am planning on having the Lap-Band surgery and am still trying to decide which surgeon I want to go to. I will likely be self pay but all of this information will be useful. I was hoping to hear from people who have had the band in place for a long time, hopefully five or more years. Have you had any problems with the band or associated side effects? Have you had to have it readjusted (not including fills)? How long did it take for your weight loss to taper off and plateau at your goal area? Have you had any significant regain (15lbs or more) once reaching your goal? If you have any other thoughts or information for me I would most appreciate it. Thank you.

Yup...I am hard at work at becoming the crazy cat lady. Though I only have two kittehs at this time, I fully anticipate when I am old and senile I will be living on a large farm which I bough specifically so I could surround myself with cats. And with that lovely introductory line, Hello!!! I am a graduate student in Ohio and have debated WLS for quite a few years. When I first looked into it (about 2004) my insurance wouldn't cover it and I couldn't get financing so it was no go...back to doing it the hard way. Tried out the Atkins diet and had excellent success. I lost 75lbs and then my gall bladder; the removal of which was covered by my insurance. Flash forward to now, I am back to a higher weight (though not my highest ever which was 25lbs more, a few years ago) and am sick of it. I've done diet after diet with success then the fall. I just learned my student health insurance might cover this so I have an appointment on Friday to talk about it with my doctor. If that doesn't pan out I already have two doctors in mind in Mexico. I've been doing a lot of research online and have it narrowed down. Hopefully I will have some good news either way by next week. So, basically, in my mind, I am having the surgery...it's just a matter of when, where and how much. I am quite excited and am trying to fight the urge to eat in anticipation of the weight loss. I see that as being a problem with some people. Apparently, on average, people gain 10lbs before their surgery. Anyway...other than that, I am 30, a Gemini, tarot-reading-spiritual-atheist-cat-loving-Renn-Faire-attending-belly-dancing-crazy-lady. Love to chat with you all and get to know about you and your experiences. I hope I can contribute something to these message boards too.

Howdy neighbor! I live in Columbus. I don't know where I would end up going if I have it here. If I have coverage, I'll have to find out who accepts my insurance and where I am able to go. From there, I'll begin the research process again with my local surgeons. Who knows...I may just stick with going to Mexico depending upon cost and if the competency of the surgeon.

Hi all...I am planning on having the Lap-Band surgery and am still trying to decide which surgeon I want to go to. I will likely be self pay but all of this information will be useful. I was hoping to hear from people who have had the band in place for a long time, hopefully five or more years. Have you had any problems with the band or associated side effects? Have you had to have it readjusted (not including fills)? How long did it take for your weight loss to taper off and plateau at your goal area? Have you had any significant regain (15lbs or more) once reaching your goal? If you have any other thoughts or information for me I would most appreciate it. Thank you.

When I have it I don't plan on telling many people. Why? Because it's none of their damn business, that's why. I've told my best friend and am chatting with a couple of other people as well (one who previously had it and doesn't tell people either and my friends mom who is a nurse) but other than that, it's all me. You want an interesting read, go check out Skipping Towards Gomorrah by Dan Savage. He is a hilarious guy and writes a sex advice column in Seattle's The Stranger newspaper. This particular book is a funny look at the 7 deadly sins and in the section about 'Gluttony' he goes to a fat acceptance convention only to find a ton of fat people afraid of food, non concerned with their own health and looking down on those of us who consider or do have weight loss surgery. Quite funny and ironic. When we should be the most supportive of each other, we often become more of a hindrance (some people in this instance even say they don't mind losing the ability to walk because of their weight..they can just get one of those scooters!!! This makes me so sad, to hear people who think that in a positive sense). Anyway, basically it is up to us. It is our body and our decision.

Hey all...I live in Columbus and am planning on having the lap band surgery. I have an appointment this Friday with my doc to talk about it and see if we can make it work with my current policy. Hope I can join you all in your success!

Thanks for the info and link. I will try the other section. I didn't know which section to post this in and this one seemed most accurate. I'll wander down there though! Thanks again!

I think I am leaning towards Dr. Kuri, although I am still debating between and Dr. Ortiz. What has me leaning towards Kuri is that they use the Allergan band and I've read elsewhere that when it comes to having a doc here in the states willing to do anything with your surgery, it should be with that band. Is that the case? Does anyone else have any thoughts about Doctors in Mexico? **first post btw**