Malaika

Hi Susan This will be my first WLS. I was leaning toward the band; however, the more I read and the more I research, I believe the sleeve is the right answer for me. Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. I'd like to get it done sooner than later as we're going on a cruise in September and I'd like to be thinner before then. (BTW - great name ... mine is Susan, too!)

CONGRATULATIONS! Is the cost that much less in Mexico compared to US? I just found out that my insurance has an exclusion for surgical and non-surgical treatment of obesity, so it's going to be a self-pay. Everything I read about Dr. Aceves has me wondering if I should be checking out Mexico. The surgeon I've found here is awesome; however I've ready nothing bad about Dr. Aceves so I'd like to be able to compare prices. Thanks. Again, CONGRATS!

I agree too ... how about there and their? They left their hat over there ... just figured I was the only one who caught those errors and wrote it off to occupational "hazard" so to speak! Glad to know (not NO) I'm not the only one!!

I haven't been banded yet - just starting the process ... however, I've already have this problem - or should I say - HAD - this problem. A friend of mine told me that her gastroenterologist told her to take 250-500 mg. of magnesium daily and it would regulate her -- she said if that didn't work, increase it by 250 mg. until it did - that you can't OD on magnesium - your body will burn off what it doesn't use. Well, my BF and I both started taking it - You can get a 100-ct. bottle at Target for $2.49. I started taking 500 mg., about 3 weeks ago and now I go every day -- sometimes more than once! Hope that's not TMI!!! Give it a try - hope this helps someone. :rolleyes2::tongue:

Hi Guys - so happy to find this thread. I live on the NW side of Vegas - near the Santa Fe. I attended Dr. Teng's seminar last night -- he is AWESOME ... I came home and filled out my paperwork that night. Have to get some things together and am going to schedule my consultation with him -- I am so stoked!!! I would love to get the sleeve; however, insurance doesn't pay for that and it does the band, so that is the way I am going to go -- unless of course I win Megabucks! I have UHC and he said they are very good to work with. Fingers crossed!!! :rolleyes2::tongue:

I've had GERD (gastroesphogeal reflux disorder) for years -- I thought I was having a heart attack and that is when it was diagnosed. At the time, Nexxium wasn't out - it was another purple pill and Zantac was by RX only. I was finally able to control it by diet, giving up soft drinks, caffeine, fried and spicy foods -- and cutting down to red meat 1x a week. I was able to go off all the medication after a year or so. Now, 20 years later, I only take Zantac if I eat something spicy or a spice that doesn't agree with me. I had the EGD too -- it came back fine -- I'm sure your's will too ... hopefully you'll be able to get of RX drugs (although for a $3 copay for Nexxium I'd stock up!). Just watch your diet and you should be able to get off the medication except on an as-needed basis. Good luck!

Hi all -- I am new to this site and have found it both very helpful and confusing ... I am going to call today to make an appointment to talk to the surgeon everyone in Las Vegas seems to recommend to start the process. I'm afraid I won't be eligible or my insurance company will turn me down, that people will judge me for not doing it on my own, etc. It appears from everything I read everyone is happy they took the leap and are happy with the surgery. I keep thinking I'm a failure because I can't seem to lose it on my own. It is very depressing. I think the fact that I have yo-yo dieted my entire life my body is to the point that it's like "YOU do what you want, I'm done" and I just don't lose no much, no matter what. Anyone in Las Vegas going through the same experiences? Anyone know what I'm talking about? Thanks for your time ...

Hey everyone -- Thank you for your replies. I really appreciate it. Kimmie -- I don't think the lap band is going to be easy -- and I'm ready to do the hard work. I guess what I was trying to say is I sometimes feel like I've failed because I'm not able to do it on my own -- not that resulting to lap band surgery makes be feel like a failure --- if that makes any sense? I know what I mean, and I think everyone else who replied knows what I was trying to say. Anyway, the surgeon - Dr. Teng -- is on my insurance and I'm set up to attend one of his seminars on the 22nd of April (now that I won't be in a 3-week trial--settled yesterday- whew!) ... He requires attendance at the seminar as the first step and provides all the paperwork that needs to be filled out before a one-on-one consultation with him. I will be calling my ins. co. on Monday to see what their requirements are ... So, I'm on my way on a new journey and I am thankful to have found this site and look forward to sharing my experiences and hearing all of yours! Thanks again! VegasAngel