imalene

My BMI is 34. Anyone out there that had this lower bmi before surgery? Are you willing to share your banding experience. Sure would help me out!

You are doing great! 27 down that is fantastic. That's what our Thanksgiving turkey weighed - and that was a heavy thing to lug up to the check-out. You gotta be walkin' on air! Keep on going....I'm prayin' for you! Patti

So glad to talk to you the other day - you were so helpful. Since then I've been diligently working on securing a "fill-facility" before having surgery in Jan. with Dr. Kuri. I talked to Park Nicollett Bariatric Dept. (St. Louis Park, MN) today and Teri Barker, physicians manager - told me that she suspects that they will soon (sometime in 2006) be opening their facility to patients other than their own. This is because they have recently added staff and would be able to handle the extra patients. She said that they currently charge $114-$175. (The $175.having the fluro). And appointments need about 1-2 week notice. Maybe this would be different if it were an emergency, I don't know. Anyway their number is 952-993-3180. (She did not give me a hard time about Mexico - she knew I was self pay. If people who need this would call Park Nicollett and let them know of their need - I think it would spur them on. I'll keep you posted if I learn of others! Good luck and maybe we'll share a cab some time when we go for a fill by Kuri! Patti

You had some trouble there didn't you, Girl. I'm hoping when we hear from you all will be well. Tell us!

Kelli, is Mexico an absolute NO for you? For some people it is. My BMI is 34 and I'm hoping to had Dr. Kuri do my surgery in Jan. I have very similar stats as yours. Although in MN/WI the bariatric surgeons will definitely look at someone with a 35-40 BMI - that have other problems related to their wgt - ie: your back pain. Don't be so sure that you could not be approved. Google bariatric surgeons in your area and do the research. Since I've decided that this is the way for me to finally be free - I've researched at least 8 hours per day and that's a low estimate - and I work full time and take care of my mom from Fri.-Sun. I'm only saying this to tell you that you have to do your homework to see if it's right and/or possible for you. Now - go get to it! Patti

There are lots of people looking at this board. If you are wondering about your choice of facilities - tell us who they are - and someone may be able to give you an idea as to why this is happening. Maybe they are the best in the entire world and have a line of people just waiting to get in! Or maybe not.

You're gonna be OK, Girl! Could some of this crying just be plain old relief? Often we hold up like gang-busters during the "fight" because we HAVE to. But when it's over - that's when we're shaking-in-our boots.

I'm sure it hasn't been an easy decision to make - but hopefully now that you've made it you can relax and dream of a better life ahead! Where are you having the surgery done? Patti

I talked to Park Nicollett Bariatric Dept. (St. Louis Park, MN) today and Teri Barker, physicians manager - told me that she suspects that they will soon (sometime in 2006) be opening their facility to patients other than their own. This is because they have recently added staff and would be able to handle the extra patients. She said that they currently charge $114-$175. (The $175.having the fluro). And appointments need about 1-2 week notice. Maybe this would be different if it were an emergency, I don't know. Anyway their number is 952-993-3180. (She did not give me a hard time about Mexico - she knew I was self pay. If people who need this would call Park Nicollett and let them know of their need - I think it would spur them on. I'll keep you posted if I learn of others!

I'm narrowing my choice of surgeons in Mexico (I have a lower, right! BMI) so I know that I would never get my insurance to pay for it. I guess they would rather pay for weight related problems that will come along later - anyway that's another story - plus I'm sick, sick, sick, of the "loosing" battle that I've fought since I was a child - anyway I digress and I apologize for that - but what I was asking about was advice on who to go to locally for fills. Actually I live in River Falls, WI - but I suspect the nearest fill-facilities would be in MN. Can anyone help me with this? THANKS!

I talked to Park Nicollett Bariatric Dept. (St. Louis Park, MN) today and Teri Barker, physicians manager - told me that she suspects that they will soon (sometime in 2006) be opening their facility to patients other than their own. This is because they have recently added staff and would be able to handle the extra patients. She said that they currently charge $114-$175. (The $175.having the fluro). And appointments need about 1-2 week notice. Maybe this would be different if it were an emergency, I don't know. Anyway their number is 952-993-3180. (She did not give me a hard time about Mexico - she knew I was self pay). If people who need this would call Park Nicollett and let them know of their need - I think it would spur them on. I'll keep you posted if I learn of others!

Dearest Tizag - I read every word. I am not banded, yet - but I'm 90% sure that I will be - hopefully in Jan. What I have taken from your post is so valuable to me - you just must know. Although I know that when you go into this you are to think it's forever - but now (no matter what the experts say) I am going into it thinking that it will NOT be forever. At least not this band. Other bands and other techniques will follow. You (and all the banded on this forum) are pioneers - we will make a better future for those who come after us. When I get my band I will remember (always) that it is NOT permanent and that I'd better let it band-my-brain so that when it comes out - I truly will not need it anymore. And what if I never have a problem - and it can stay in until the day I die and it becomes ashes along with my old bones - well then - what a bonus I would have had in my life! You take care and continue to feel the "brain-band" - you can do it. God Bless... Love, Patti

Eating has always made me hungry. Sounds funny, but it's true. Once I start eating I could just go on and on. Eating while already full has never been a problem for me. I have successfully dieted in the past - never kept the weight off. But as long as I'm in "diet Mode" I'm OK 'till I go off of it. Then look out! So, my pattern has ALWAYS been - Dieting to loose, trying to keep it off with more dieting, then gaining it all back (plus more). I just want off of this horrible nightmare of a ride. Will the band help someone like me? Seriously choosing a doctor - probably Kuri - in Jan.

Since I made up my mind about getting the band - I've stopped the CONSTANT Fat-talk to myself and have relaxed thinking that better things are ahead for me. I have now gained 10 lbs in the last 10 days and today I realize that I can not let my guard down - not now - probably not ever. But, it gets so tiring. Anyone else have problems like this before they were banded? Patti

Thanks for all your comments about gaining wgt before the surgery. I think my gaining might be tapering off - as I've become a LITTLE less aprehensive about the surgery. It was/is really wierd. Part of it was simply not obsessing over every bite I put in my mouth. Such a relief. But! I allowed my self into any sweets I wanted - which normally it's not so much the sweets as it is the "salty junk" and plainly overeating ALL types of food. So - today I've thrown out that Jumbo Hershey after reading so much about the band not helping at all when it comes to sweets! I don't need to develop that habit before the banding! Thanks! Patti

I'm hoping to get this done soon. What I'm wondering is: When you have a fill is it a good idea to stay in Mex. for 2-3 days just to say how the fill went? I'm from WI and flying back in a day or two for a fill-adjustment just doesn't make financial sense to me. And it does look like people often get adjustments on their fills within a day or two. I'm going to use Kuri.

Did you ever find someone closer to you? Right now travelworm.com has flights to Sandiego (for Tijuanna doctors) for only $207. Dr. Kuri has someone that picks you up at the airport and takes you to his clinic for $50. Beats $1,000. no matter how you look at it. And Kuri is supposed to be one of the best.

I've been told by Ishi at Kuri's office that if there had to be an adjustment, or removal that Dr. Kuri would not charge for this. I've asked it in just about every way possible and I always get the same answer. I hope I've got it straight. Patti

Penni - I'm so sorry to hear this news - it's hard to take. You have done well, you're pictures (the ones outside of your body ) show this to be the case! What is the difference between the two placements? I'm going to ask Dr. Kuri which technique he uses. Patti

Does MX LB surgery qualify for FLEX spending account. I would like to pay for it with pretax $'s. The group that handles our Flex Plan is STILL checking into this. They really have NO Idea. They are The Benefit Group. Has anyone else had experience with this. I am going to be self pay - as I have a lower BMI and Doctor's in states won't consider it until a person is "further down that road" and believe me I am WELL on my way. Have been ALL my life. I just want off the nightmare ride of the Weight Roller Coaster. Thanks for input!

I'm from Western Wisconsin (Hudson) - Anyone near me have the surgery or thinking of having the lap band surgery. I'm serious about January.

Dear People, I made up my mind to have the lap band surgery, researching like wild, narrowing my choice of suregeons - then, boom! I'm terrified! I really believed that this lap band was going to free me from the battle. You know the one I'm talking about. But the more I read the more I wonder if I'm going to end up regretting the whole thing. It's a lot of money, and I'm just an average-income American. I'm now afraid of the following things: Will I loose any weight at all in the first month? Seems that many don't. Will I loose even 20 lbs in the first 6 months? Seems like many don't. You would think that if you were on a liquid only diet for basically the first 4-6 weeks after surgery - you would HAVE to loose weight. Again, seems like many don't. Will I be able to drink a full 8 oz glass of Water when I've just mowed the lawn and I'm hot as the devil (and there's nothing like it then, is there?)? Will I be able to find anyone locally that will be a kind and willing "fill-dr."? Sounds like no one wants to do the fills unless they have done the surgery. (I live in MN/WI border) How can I financially go back to Mexico 3-6 times in a year for a fill? If my band would not let anything through - even liquid, isn't that a HUGE emergency? Life threatening, really. If there is an emergency having to do with the band and I would have to go to a US Hospital - will my insurance pay? (I've read that it should - and I would check this before, but still...) I was the happiest I'd been in years when I discovered that the lap band might be the answer to free me from this never ending weight-war but now I don't know. Please tell me like it is. Not like what I want to hear. I can take it. And I thank you for it.... Patti

Thank you Cloeyman for the lead - where did you have your surgery done? Do you know of anyone that goes to St. Joes that had their initial surgery done in Mexico?

Before I schedule any surgery I need to locate a good fill location for me. I live on the Wisc./MN border - I imagine someone in the St.Paul/Mpls. area will be the nearest. Does anyone have someone they could/would recommend. Seems that this is a big issue with almost everyone. Thanks!

Hi Kelly - How are you doing, now? Did you have a low BMI? Who did your surgery? I hope you are seeing/feeling a restriction now because as a pre-bandster I'm thinking I would feel disappointed if I had to wait for a fill before loosing even a little weight. Best Wishes!