karen39

Hello all... In March I flew to Mexico and had lapband surgery. With the cost of the surgery, our flight, and our passports, altogether I spent about $10,000. I am a single mother and have seriously struggled the past year to support myself and my kids. I am a cook and don't make much money. last year I had to take a 2nd job bartending to make ends meet. Eventually, I had to file bankrupsy. Finally, in December, my divorce was final. I didn't get much of a settlement, just $15,000 from the little equity in our home. With this money I paid off bills, bought my son a cheap car, prepaid 4 months rent, and chose to have lapband surgery. I discussed it with my kids, and they were 100% for it. My body is shot... I have tendonitis in my feet, have lost almost all the cartilledge in my right knee, my back kills me, and I am downing pain killers like they were candy. At 39 yrs old and 305 lbs, it seemed the smart thing to do was to have the surgery. So, I did it. I should be happy and enthusiastic, but I feel so guilty. I am in the same position I was before... I have no money, and can barely pay the rent. I am behind on all of my bills and have little food for the kids. I am also do for my first fill, and there is no way I can afford to do it. And I am, again, looking for a second job. The point of getting this surgery was to get healthy and spend quality time with my kids. Instead, I have just put myself in the positon once again to have to work all the time. And if that weren't enough, my son is graduating in June and I can't even afford the cap and gown let alone a gift. I have utilized every resource that is available to me... I have got insurance for my kids and have got my son a pell grant for college next year. But, it just isn't enough. I am so depressed. I should be happy and looking forward to the new life that lies before me. Instead, I feel like I made a very selfish decision, and should have used my money to get ahead. I thought I was doing the right thing. I haven't told anybody but my kids that I am out of money. My kids are still so supportive. They say I made the right choice and that they are proud of me. But right now, I just feel ashamed.

Thank you for your response. I do feel better today, and yes, I do need to look forward instead of regretting the past. Me and the kids have sufferred so bad this past year. My ex basicly had an affair, and once I found out about it, I had to leave. He was terrible to my kids... he was terrible to me. he would not leave the home, so me and the kids left... with $300 and a credit card. He wouldn't allow me to take much of anything, so I had to pretty much start from scratch. I have worked so hard to make our house a home... and to provide for my kids. And honestly, I have done a tremendous job considering the cicumstances. I used this venue to vent about my guilt and hardship because I don't feel that I have anyone in my life that I can talk to about this. I don't want my friends and family knowing that I went into this surgery knowing that I would have little money once I was done. I don't want people to be dissappointed in me. I am so thankful to have this place to post my feelings and get feedback. Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. To answer sunshines questions...I live in Washington state. My first visit for my fill is $350. After that it is around $100 for each fill. I lost about 25 lbs so far... but I am now feeling next to no restriction since most all of the swelling has gone down. I am concerned about gaining... I am hungrier and hungrier everyday. I have been making good food choices, but of course I am concerned that eventually I will start making the bad ones. I have a question... if you don't fill the band, does that increase the risk of the band slipping? Just curious. Thanks again for the response... and i am sure I will snap out of this funk soon.

Hello all... In March I flew to Mexico and had lapband surgery. With the cost of the surgery, our flight, and our passports, altogether I spent about $10,000. I am a single mother and have seriously struggled the past year to support myself and my kids. I am a cook and don't make much money. last year I had to take a 2nd job bartending to make ends meet. Eventually, I had to file bankrupsy. Finally, in December, my divorce was final. I didn't get much of a settlement, just $15,000 from the little equity in our home. With this money I paid off bills, bought my son a cheap car, prepaid 4 months rent, and chose to have lapband surgery. I discussed it with my kids, and they were 100% for it. My body is shot... I have tendonitis in my feet, have lost almost all the cartilledge in my right knee, my back kills me, and I am downing pain killers like they were candy. At 39 yrs old and 305 lbs, it seemed the smart thing to do was to have the surgery. So, I did it. I should be happy and enthusiastic, but I feel so guilty. I am in the same position I was before... I have no money, and can barely pay the rent. I am behind on all of my bills and have little food for the kids. I am also do for my first fill, and there is no way I can afford to do it. And I am, again, looking for a second job. The point of getting this surgery was to get healthy and spend quality time with my kids. Instead, I have just put myself in the positon once again to have to work all the time. And if that weren't enough, my son is graduating in June and I can't even afford the cap and gown let alone a gift. I have utilized every resource that is available to me... I have got insurance for my kids and have got my son a pell grant for college next year. But, it just isn't enough. I am so depressed. I should be happy and looking forward to the new life that lies before me. Instead, I feel like I made a very selfish decision, and should have used my money to get ahead. I thought I was doing the right thing. I haven't told anybody but my kids that I am out of money. My kids are still so supportive. They say I made the right choice and that they are proud of me. But right now, I just feel ashamed.

Hello all... I am new to this site and have enjoyed looking over many blogs and messages. I am due to have surgery in March... and I am having it in Monterrey with Dr Zapata. I just recently went through a long, painful divorce and am using some money from my small settlement to pay for the procedure. A friend of mine is coming with me... and I feel good about what I am doing. I also feel somewhat alone in this, and I have many questions. I am hoping that some of you can answer some of these for me. I see alot of you have mentioned the liver is a big issue. I was told to just follow the Adkins diet the 2 weeks before surgery. I am currently 290 lbs and goal weight is 170lbs. Because I have not met with my doctor, being that the surgery is in Mexico, should I take it upon myself to use a more drastic diet method? After surgery, how long is it before I can eat solid foods? How long after surgery can I start an exercise regimen? Can I do sit ups? What physical activity should I avoid. Is band slippage common... and if so, does the doctor have to go back in to fix it? What if it happens here in the states? Do I have to pay for a whole new procedure? I am getting the Johnson and Johnson band. Any info from others that have got this band? How long does it take to physically recover after surgery? Thanks in advance for the advice. I am so very excited about this next stage in my life. And I am grateful to have found this forum to discuss the lap band procedure with so many of you. ~Karen

I did it! I had surgery Friday March 7th. I went to Mexico... I had the best care... way beyond my expectations. It was an amazing experience... and i can already feel myself losing weight. I weighed myself the day before my Mexico trip... I had gained 20lbs! 305 lbs to start. I ate light last week up to my sugery day ( I got to Monterrey on the 3rd... vacationed before the sugery). As of today I am 292... that is a 13 lb lost!! I am stoked... I know I am going to be successful. I can't wait! I went through a horrible divorce last year... my weight fluctuated a bunch. 305lbs was the most i have ever weighed in my life. So far, this year has been life changing. I am starting school in the summer, not to mention going to England in August. I am excited knowing that i am going to have the energy to do so much. I am so siked! Thanks to all of you for the words of encouragement. ~Karen:thumbup:

Thank you so much for the answers you povided. I have been looking over some of the posts and feel more confident in my decision. I am having my surgery March 7th... wish me luck!!