crickpoodle

heathero - congrats!!!... on your pregnancy!! =) i don't know if this is your first time or not, but being a mom is so cool and fun! you are the first "prego bandster" i've run into but i've heard it can be a great success and a blessing in the post-partum. your words of encouragement regarding my misgivings are meaningful and kind. thank you. may i ask who did your band in mexico? were you happy with that experience? best regards,

luluc - thank you for your encouragement and kind words. i just hope mexico goes well for my friend and me. i hope we choose a competent and caring surgeon. thank you again for your kindness. =)

hi all - before bed last night i went to the chat room here on LBT and began by asking if anyone had knowledge of the mexican doc i am considering for banding. other chatters started asking why Mexico. they asked my BMI, height, weight, age, jean size, lots of stuff. they began criticizing me because i said i wanted to lose 40-45 lbs. i explained that weightloss had been a life-long struggle for me (and my mother and my sister). i said i feel like the band would be a tool or aide in my weightloss journey; that i didn't expect it to be a magic pill or any easy way out. they did not agree at all. there were probably 8 different chatters, maybe more. the text was moving so quickly i could hardly keep up and type, too. one woman put her text in capitals and started "yelling" at me. she said it's people like me that give WLS a bad name. one man named dan said i was being weak (another said ridiculous) and that i should just join weight watchers and start walking. one person said two or three times to the other chatters, "...go check out crickpoodle's profile." another comment said, no good doctor would give me a band, only a hack from mexico who only wanted money. i didn't know they would take my situation so personally or that i would be a lightening rod for so much criticism. i wish there were a way i could have saved that stream of chat. i wish you could read it. i wish i could re-read it. i want to remind myself never to go back there again. i thanked them for their opinions and logged out. i went to bed feeling horrible, near tears. i know i shouldn't give them so much power over me but i was left feeling very selfish and vain and in doubt of my own motivations for wanting WLS.

i'm 5'1" (and a half) and weigh 158. my BMI is 30. i do not have other comorbidities. i have been heavy for about 15 years and yes i have tried the usual options (dieting and such). my mother was also overweight until gastric bypass in 2005. i want to lose 45 lbs. i know i don't qualify for insurance coverage so i haven't even tried. most docs here in the states require a BMI of 35 or higher. so i am going to mexico for the surgery. most of the docs there have a BMI cut off of 30. my friend is going also. she has a BMI of 32. i know to some people it seems vain for us to want the weightloss aide that the band provides but if we could be healthy and thin on our own we would already be there. we would also not be spending so much money if it were not so important to us to get healthy and active again. i have had a few people on this website especially in the chat room make resentful comments in regards to my desire for a lapband. i wish those folks could view my and my friend's decision for surgery as a chance at "prevention of obesity". instead, they act like we self-absorbed light-weights are robbing a more deserving peron of a chance at good health and happiness. i wish everyone with a BMI in the overweight or obese category had the opportunities that we do. i wish all of you a healhy weightloss journey and a happy new year!

kap - you are so welcome! i opened that document in microsoft word and modified it to fit my specific needs/questions. then i emailed it to three surgeon's offices that i was interested in and they filled in the blanks themselves! when i got the results back i pretty much had my answers. it was so helpful. if you want my version already laid out in table form you are welcome to it. just email me at crickpoodle@yahoo.com i'm so glad you are researching your doc before you go. because, wow, there are some super scary stories out there! 8) i'm shooting for my mexican band at the end of january, too. yeah!!

fozzie - i don't know first hand but i have read that gas-ex helps. also, taking liquid tylenol and walking. good luck. hang in there.

kap- i urge you to find out the name of your surgeon. it's so important to do your homework on this issue before you sign anything. i almost committed to go with a surgeon and clinic that have really bad statistics for infection and erosion. actually, the doctor i was interested in has several unhappy customers that post on here frequently. there is a guideline on this website that has been very helpful to me in my search for just the right doctor and hospital. it was written by wasabubblebutt (screen name) and is called "how to research a mexican surgeon." it might help you, too. i wish you all the best. crickpoodle

pamaloo - i read your story (well written) and i feel badly for you. dr. huacuz is one of the mexican docs i have heard so many bad things about. he scares me - along with a few others. i've been doing research for about two months. my bff and i are going later this month to mexico for our bands. i wish you a quick recovery and a success story in the end. 8-) best wishes, crickpoodle

Oh, duh!! wow - shoulda got that one! thanks guys! =)

ok - this nurse feels a little silly! obviously TOM has something to do with your period but please tell me what it stands for. also, i work in surgery and it has never been a problem for a patient to wear a tampon during a procedure. the exceptions would be if the surgery requires vaginal access or if the surgeon anticipates keeping the post-op patient sedated or comatose for an extended period of time. these situations could set up the potential for toxic shock syndrome if the tampon is forgotten. best of luck to you. crickpoodle

hi kap - can i ask who's doing your surgery? i am a self pay and plan to go to mexico later this month for a band. i have done a lot of research (for 2 months) and have uncovered good and bad information about particular surgeons in tijuana. would be glad to share if you're interested. i know some people don't want to hear anyhting negative once they have chosen their surgeon and facility. just let me know. i understand either way. =) best of luck! crickpoodle