Spruce

Susan, that is a very nice welcome! I've spent several hours yesterday and this morning reading what y'all are saying to each other. Extremely helpful information. The clear concensus is that the lap-band works (why else would everyone be here!!!), is an elegently simple solution to a very difficult problem, and is the best solution around. That resolves my quandry about which surgery is best for me. And I have read a lot of very enlightening, well thought out pro and con discussions on surgery in the US vs foreign soil. The nurses and doctors have talked from their professional perspectives; others have responded based on their personal experiences. All of it is invaluable information. Last night, based on what I've read on this board, we decided to forget about surgery in India and instead concentrate on Mexican doctors. One o with

I appreciate each of your comments. That is what I needed to read at this point in time.

My wife and I are flying to Delhi for our vacation and scheduled our tour i6 months ago. Last week I sent an inquiry to a medical tour doctor about weight loss options either before or after our organized tour (we have 4 extra days pre and 5 days post tour). He recommended Lap-Band for $6300 or Roux-en-Y for $8700, complete. I have read about both options on the net (30+ hours), attended a Lap-Band seminar 2 nights ago, and found the MGB (Mini-Gastric-Bypass) yesterday afternoon. I've read everything I could find on it, including the 130 page user manual. I have learned so much that I don't know which solution is best for me. My BMI is only 37 but I have hypertension and sleep apnea, so I am qualified. I contacted two doctors within 25 miles of home who will handle the fills after I return (and several who won't). My insurance won't cover anything regardless... The doctor I talked to in India spoke excellent English on the phone and we have exchanged repeated emails. My thinking is to do the pre-op exams in Delhi when we arrive, do the tour, then do the surgery in Mumbai (she can be at the beach and sightseeing post-surgery) where hospitals and stuff costs are less. He is talking about USA trained, highly specialized doctors, anesthesia and nurses in a 5 star hospital with 2 nights post-surgery there. That is excessive compared to the doctor at the seminar, but pampering isn't sinful. Finally, the bottom line question: if you could select any surgical weight loss technique (within 90 pounds of "ideal" weight I haven't seen since we were married 42 years ago) and have repeatedly tried all the fad diets and exercise regimens (and lost weight on each one, but always gained it back), what would YOU do? Forget about surgery overseas and enjoy the trip we initially planned? Put the surgery & followup costs in your pocket and use that as the incentive to stay on a 1,000 calorie/day diet with 1 mile/day (ugh) walks for the rest of your life? I have done the hypnosis, South Beach, Adkins, Mediteranean, 5-8 miles jogging/day, weight training, personal trainer at the Y, etc. ... all with various levels of success and no permanent results. But I'm willing to try again if that is the concensus. However, I would not have joined this website if I didn't think y'all may have found and an optimum solution. What is your experienced opinion? Sorry about this long "hello". Just wanted to cut to the chase: everything is in place for surgery; now I need to make the final decision. I appreciate your prayerful guidance. Spruce.