skyeblu79

All of the above. I think about it all the time. I even dream about it, lol....I really can't wait. I just hate I have to wait until February!!

I know tons of people that have taken Paxil and not had any weight gain. I don't know about Wellbutrin though.

I don't know which ones won't, but I wouldn't suggest Celexa. I have been taking it for about a month and a 1/2 and I noticed pretty soon, that I was hungry all the time. I forced myself to start bringing fruit and healthy Snacks for work and that helps some. I haven't weighted out of fear, but I definitely feel like I've gained. When I asked my dr about it she said that at the most it should be like 5 lbs on average if anything. You might want to check out some anxiety message boards or research different meds about the side effects. Please post any info that you find out b/c I am thinking of switching meds. The Celexa really doesn't seem to be working for my anxieties @ all...I also do therapy.

Wow, this is a really interesting thread. I have basically experienced these feelings most of my life. Always not feeling liked or accepted. About a month and a 1/2 ago I started therapy. I therapist confirmed what I thought that I have SAD (social anxiety disorder). It took me a while to figure out where this probably came from or when I feel this way. It always seems to go back to how I don't feel excepted or liked. I am too afraid of what others think of me. I think the therapy and medication (Celexa) is helping some. Once I have my surgery, I know the weight loss will definitely help some of my issues to improve. I definitely know the weight loss won't solve everything.

Updated: Just wanted to let yal know that I finally spoke w/Dr. Gonzales' office. I had e-mailed them a while back, but they never responded. I called and spoke w/Lisa. She told me they would see patients banded in Mexico. The Dr. charges $250 for the fluro, the hospital charges $325, and there could be a possible reading fee of $86. So the totals anywhere from $575-$661. I had no idea that it would cost this much. Most of the other quotes I saw on the board have been more reasonable. Lisa also told me that the doctor will see you in the event of an infection or a problem. The dr will not remove or install bands. She was very helpful. I will post rates if I am able to find anyone else. If anyone knows of any other doctors please let me know. Thanks

Hi, I am considering doing my surgery in MX. Right now I am still researching. I want to see what doctors in my area or @ least NC that will do aftercare for people that did the procedure in MX. I currently live in the Raleigh/Durham area. Thanks!!

I hate you had to go through that. What a mess? You should write a letter of complaint or see what the proper protocol is...That is ridiculous. I'm glad you are doing well now.

I am planning on having my surgery early next year in MX. Right now I am leaning toward Dr. Ortiz. His website is <LI class=first>www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/ about_dr_ortiz.html and his rate is $8,500 and that includes everything but airfare (hotel, transpo, etc.). I also considering Dr. Kuri and Dr. Rumbaut. Dr. Kuri- <LI class=first>www.lapbandsurgery.com Dr. Rumbaut- around $10,500 <LI class=first>www.gastricband.com/html/team.html Good luck...

Oh, my gosh!!! I can't believe she laughed @ you. That is soooo not funny. I am trying to come out the best way possible (financially). I guess I will try to call UHC today or tomorrow and see what they say. Hopefully they won't laugh @ me. When I have called them in the past each person would give me a different answer or the run around. I guess they would have no choice, but to pay if you were hospitalized. Hopefully nothing will happen, but I like to know my options. Thanks for replying!!

My family is a mixture of supportive and worried. My mother worries about everything (I guess that's where I get it). I had already discussed the surgery with my mother earlier this year, but I abandoned the thought once I found out my insurance wouldn't cover the surgery. I recently brought it up again and both of my parents were very supportive. My mother even said she would do it if she didn't have so many health conditions. The only thing I haven't told them is that I am planning on doing it in Mexico. I just don't feel like hearing my mother's mouth. She'll start spreading the word to my extended family or her friends and come back w/all this negativity. I am waiting on Dr. Ortiz' book to come in and just let her read it. I am 99% certain that I am going to get it done by Dr. Ortiz and hopefully once I present my parents with the info they will be okay with it. And if they're not okay with it then oh well...Once they see I have put down my deposit they definitely will come with me. I have no doubt about that.

1) Shopping in a regular store for something other than accessories or shoes!!! No more plus sized section or Lane Bryant. 2) Not being embarrassed to take pictures anymore. 3) Riding an amusement park ride, especially a roller coaster. 4) Walking up stair and not feeling like I am going to die. 5) Wearing something sleeveless.. 6) Getting a new bathing suit for the 1st time since I was in high school. And not having to get one w/shorts. 7) Wearing shorts to somewhere other than the gym. 8) Not having to worry about whether the desk in school will fit. 9) Getting a sports car and being comfortable. This is just the beginning..I am sure I can think of tons more.

I was just checking out his website and his rates are really reasonable for self-pay. I have really been concentrating on MX, b/c of the reasonable prices. I have seen a couple of doctors on here listed for around $9,500-$10,000. I would definitely be willing to pay the extra $1,000 or so to stay in the U.S. as long as it is a good doctor. I am going to do my research, but would love to hear personal experiences. I am going to e-mail his office today. Thanks!!

Yesterday, I went ahead and ordered 2 books, Lap Band for Life & Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Achieving Permanent Weight Loss with Minimally Invasive Surgery, from Amazon. The books combined were about $32. They offer free shipping if you have a combined order of at least $25. There were reviews of the books on the Amazon website too...

That sounds really mean and judgemental. I doubt most people go to Mexico to save $$. Most people probably go b/c they couldn't afford to get it done otherwise. It's his perogative to not treat Mexican banded patients, but I hope he didn't say all that to the lady. Maybe I am wrong and she told him that she wanted to save $$ to upgrade her Mercedes. Either way, I guess that would be her perogative too.

Wow, I am so glad you shared your experience. You started about where I'll be starting and it is really inspiring. Congratulations!!!

Is there anywhere else to purchase Dr. Ortiz' book besides Amazon? I looked on his website and it said they were out. I also checked ebay and it's never on there. I might just have to pay the $19.95 plus shipping on Amazon for a used book. But if anyone can post if it's cheaper anywhere.

Can someone tell me what exactly MGB and the difference between it and the other surgeries? Also, if you know of any good website for info, that would be appreciated. Thanks

Thanks for posting...I am sure I will have more questions while I am deciding on a doctor. I spoke w/Marilyn yesterday and she was very nice and gave me a lot of information. My only concern with Dr. K is that he's only done 50 lap bands so far. I know he's be doing laproscopic surgery for a lot longer though.

Was there anything @ all that you didn't like? I haven't been contacted back by them yet, but I am sure they will answer a lot of the questions have I have. I would love to hear anything you think may be useful or personal experiences (good or bad). Thanks

Thanks for posting. I have a couple more questions for you. Are you local to Dr. K? I am wondering b/c I wanted to know if you are able to do the pre-op, surgery and post op back to back. Since I am not in the area, I want to have to fly out as less as possible. I filled out a request for the office to contact me yesterday. Hopefully someone will contact me today.

I am also planning on self-pay. From what I hear from here, the interest rates for loans to cover the surgery are pretty expensive. I am a grad student, so I am maxing out my student loans to pay for the surgery. The interest rate is way better than any loan I can get. Most likely I will do my surgery in MX. Everyone in NC is so expensive and they have done like 30 surgeries. There are some threads in the doctors and hospitals room about good rates on self-pay doctors in the U.S. The best rate I saw was in Denver for around $10,000.

I appreciate all the info. Reading this, I will definitely ask the surgeons that I am considering what technique they use.

Hello, I am still trying to chose a doctor and I am trying to think of all the important questions to ask. I keep finding more and more and I am searching on this site. Things I never thought about like getting a serial # for your band and asking for a copy of your medical records in English. I appreciate any other questions that you think would be helpful or that you asked when you were still researching doctors. Thanks:)

That is great to hear. Winston Salem is only a couple hours away. Thanks for the info!!!

Oh, and thanks for replying!!