Noni

Hello fellow Texans! I am planning to have the lap band done in the very near future. I am a self pay patient, so will probably go to Mexico. I am considering Dr. Rodriquez in Juarez first. If I could find a good surgeon in the states that was close to MX cost then I would consider that also. If you are close to central Texas and have been banded, where do you have your fills and where did you have your surgery? I am excited and scared at the same time! Would love to hear from you!

Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianegoe Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx, tweenwaters Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen) Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Noni(Mary) Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb __________________

Hi Glynda. I understand your fears. I have been researching until I am about to lose my mind. I have decided on Dr. Jose Rodriquez in Juarez. He is convenient to me since I live in Texas, but also has the credentials and so far I've not seen anything negative. A big plus is that he is working at a brand new state of the art hospital. Good luck with your search. I am hoping to be banded on January 25.:whoo:

We have been self employed for 24 years. Therefore I feel like somewhat of an expert on health insurance for the self employed. Health insurance is a whole other ball of wax for the self employed. Unfortunately we don't have the luxury of a group plan, and once your weight becomes and issue you are pretty much out of luck finding any insurance company that will cover you. And if you have any other pre-existing conditions, well forget about it. No one will cover you. I tried for years to change to another health insurance plan because ours had become outrageously expensive. I could not get coverage with anyone because of my weight. I ended up putting my husband and daughter on the Scott and White health plan and I had to settle for the Risk Pool, which, believe it or not, was about half of what I was paying for Golden Rule:( at the time I changed. Neither one paid for lap band or bypass. It makes absolutely no sense for these insurance companies to not pay for a surgery that will cost them less money in the long run. STUPID, STUPID. I HATE INSURANCE COMPANIES! :angryAll I can say is those of you who have group health insurance don't know how lucky you are. OK, I'll get off my soap box now. I am going to go to Juarez and pay for it myself. I give up.

Hi Christi. Glad to hear from you. Best of luck in your new life. I hope to have a decision made soon. Keep in touch! Mary