cmayes

Unfortunately, I think I am going to have to put my LB plans on hold. After contacting the loan centers, I just don't think I am going to be able afford the monthly payments in addition to all the other monthly payments I have coming out of my check ( I just bought a new house last month). This sucks, but I guess I'll just have to save up my money until I can afford to pay for the procedure up front. Everyone just keep their fingers crossed that I can do it. Thanks for all the support you all have given me so far in my decision to do this. I'll stay in touch.

All obvious health risks aside, is it required to quit smoking prior to having the lap band surgery? I will most likely try quitting soon anyway, but just wondering. Maybe it can interfere with the healing process?

I'd like to hear from some low BMI patients that had their LB done in Mexico. I am considering Dr. Oritz in Tiajuana and want to hear from others who have went to him. Any advice? Also, what do you do about fills? Do you have them done locally or do you go to Mexico for fills? I am concerned about the costs associated with fills following the surgery.

best of luck to you!

Thanks for all of your support! It really is a hard decision to make on your own and like so many others I am scared to death if I do it that I'll have problems and if I don't that I'll never lose weight. To answer someone's question, I am 25 years old and I'm 5'1" and weigh slightly over 170lbs. That puts my BMI at 32. I never had weight problems until about 4 or 5 years ago and it seems that everytime I diet I just gain more weight back. I had a baby in Oct of 06 and have found it extremely hard to get back to normal as everyone knows how difficult it is to do anything with a little one around :welldoneclap: I am also struggling with depression, anxiety, and constant fatigue. I am taking anti-depressants but it has had little impact so far. I feel trapped. Another thing that makes it hard to exercise is that I have exercise-induced asthma and the extra weight I have has magnified this making it very hard to breathe while doing cardio. I am scared because diabetes and heart problems run in my family and I am too young to be feeling this crappy. One of my biggest concerns about getting the surgery in Mexico is that I'll be so far away from my surgeon if I do have problems upon returning home (I live in Kentucky). If I have to go to the ER or something Lord knows how much that will cost and how much money will I be shelling out for plane tickets to and from to go get fills done? That is really the only thing holding me back on moving forward. I've read several posts about people having problems following their first fill - is this really common? Maybe some of you who are self-pay that opted to go to Mexico could share with me a ball-park figure that you have paid out since your surgery. Also, have any of you been able to get fills done here in the US? I have heard conflicting reports of whether US doctors will do fills on patients that received bands in Mexico. Again, thanks to all of you for your support. I think I will sit my family down and tell them to either support me or hush up about it.

I am seriously considering having lap band surgery in Mexico with Dr. Oritz. I am completely convinced that this is what I need to do; however, convincing my husband, family and friends is a different story. Did anyone else run into lots of negativity from others when considering the surgery? My husband says so simply..." just eat less and exercise more." It seems so simple to him because he is tall and thin. He has tons of energy and can eat anything he wants and not gain a pound. I, on the other hand, am only 5'1" and am quickly gaining more and more weight. I now have a BMI of 32 and am worried that if I don't do something now it will only get worse. I am frustrated with everyone for not understanding. I am a smart person, I have done alot of research, and all I want is some freakin' support from the people who are closest to me! Is that too much to ask?