lkarelee

I will board a plane in 48 hours and fly to Monterrey, Mexico to undergo a radical surgical procedure to permanently implant a foreign device in my body. Hopefully this device will allow me to control how much food goes into my body. Like all humans, I already have natural mechanisims that does this job, but for some reason, like 50+ percent of Americans, I have coached my body to override this natural mechanisim and eat more food than I require to live. I am going to spend a lot of money for this procedure; I am going to risk my life when all it would take is to simply STOP OVEREATING. If I took the thousands of dollars I'm about to pay, and joined a fancy gym, or hired a personal trainer, or bought an expensive wardrobe 3 sizes too small...would I lose weight? Probably not. What if the band fails, slips, erodes, infects, what will I do next? I am running out of options.

My surgery is scheduled for 18-Aug-09 in Monterrey. Every day I log onto this site and check out the new posts. First I read about all the complications (I highly recommend TJWOODS on this site - what a nightmare), then I read all the success stories. I read the complaints about PB's, slime (whatever that is), gas, port pain; the list goes on and on. Then I read about how someone completely changed their life after 6 months of steady progress....and about the person who is gaining weight while on a 900 calorie a day diet. I'm in information HELL!! One day I can't wait to get on the plane, the next I think I'm making a expensive and dangerous mistake with no guarantee of success.:scared2: Anyone else?? Do I just need to stop researching?

So glad to see other people doubting their decision - I am 7 days away from surgery in Mexico (I'm a self-pay), I'm 61 and swing back and forth between anticipation and fear. I don't want to fail another weight loss attempt. I don't want to throw my money away

I am schedule for the 18th in Monterrey - plan to have my fills done at FillCenter USA here in Austin. So far, I have been very pleased with the quick response to questions I get from Dr. Zapata's staff - but I was wondering - has anyone had any problem with issues post-op care? Obviously I can't fly back and forth to Monterrey for follow-up visits - but is it really necessary?

Where do you get your fills done? Do you keep in touch with your surgeon?

I am scheduled with Dr. Zapata (Ready4Achange.com) on the 18th of August. I did a lot of research and feel confident I will have no problems. I am going to have fills done at 'Fill Center USA' here in Austin.

My surgeon uses the Realize Band - says it is less painful and faster to heal. Anyone have any experience positive or negative with the Realize. Scheduled for Surgery on 8/18

Anyone out there going to Monterrey on or around august 17th?? I'm travelling alone and would really like to meet up with another bandster.

I am 3-weeks out from being banded and want to start taking the Zinc supplement to prevent stress related hair loss. Can anyone recommend a brand?

August 18th - Monterrey, Mexico....Dr. Zappata

I am scheduled to be banded in Mexico - Dr. Zappata - in a couple of weeks. I'm traveling alone - any advise on what to pack?