Zoe

Thanks, everyone. I received a message from Doralisa at Dr. Rumbaut's office today. I haven't yet scheduled an appointment for the surgery, but I did check on airfares to Monterrey; luckily Mexicana has a daily direct flight from Chicago. A nagging part of me says that I should either live with being fat or else give conventional weight loss yet another try. But in my heart I know I need a little extra boost -- a crutch, perhaps -- to help my body, not to mention my mind, shed 100 unneeded pounds. I'm in my late 40s and I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, back problems, and a wonky knee -- not to mention a spare chin! So I'm going to take the plunge just after Labor Day if I can get on the surgery schedule. Thanks again. I'll let you know when I schedule the surgery. Zoe

Thanks for your encouragement. I just received an e-mail reply from Dr. Rumbaut's office in Mexico -- I'm going to follow up on Monday, and with luck I'll be in Bandland before long. One of the things I've found most helpful about this forum is how forthcoming everyone is about problems with the band, especially in the first several weeks. If I hadn't discovered this site, I think my expectations would have been unrealistically high. Now I have a better idea of what I'm in for, and I think I can handle it. Thanks again.