Ms.AntiBand

I found R/T from Seattle to SD for $214-$217 on bookit.com

Volunteering in an area of your interests is always a good way to expose yourself to friendships. Humane society, local schools, clubs as in book club, hiking club etc. Also, I worked with several people who have joined the group called " meetup" in specific areas and they swear by it. They have some very good friendships and group meetings dependant on interests a hobbies good luck and have fun

If only insurance company agreed that obesity is a disease.

I am just beginning the process of scheduling a surgery date so I'm afraid I can't answer your questions, BUT I want to tell you congrats on your first steps to a new and healthier you! I am hoping to get my surgery in Dec., also in TJ. Good luck and I (we all here) look forward to being part of your journey and helping where we can

Remember peeps .. Not all of us can afford a nut so y'all are our nut family ;D

Well, stickks ...aren't you just a peach! I bet no one ever accused you of having an abundance of couth.

Seems like maybe too much excercise this early may be tricking your body into starvation mode and it's trying to hang on to whatever it can? I know my body does that to me especially if you are lacking in essential nutrient.

When my band was urgently removed, my surgeon said I could get the sleeve surgery as soon as my body was healed. I was 104lbs at the time, but my low weight was only because of medical complications. I would have had my sleeve surgery ASAP, but I can't afford it. I am now becoming obese.. Go figure, huh? So.. Some exbanders do start at a lot lower weight in order to prevent the health problems they so want to avoid going back to

Check out my name! I am one of the million who have wicked horror stories PLUS my two daughters have the band still with no problems BUT with very little weight loss. That is a run on sentence and I could go on and on. Check the revision section and you'll see.

OMG.. Men?!?! Why is it so flippin' easy for you? ;P

No, no... Trust me I wasn't attacking at all. I have been treated by three very excellent bariatric drs up here and they have no problems treating complications if they arise. They treated me several times and don't care where the surgery was done. I believe 99.9% of drs are honest and their main goal is to help. The only worry I have about complications is having to pay for it. It sucks paying over $500.00 a month for insurance premiums ( not including what employer contributes) and they not only will not cover WLS .. They WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE cover complication due to WLS even if your're taking your last breath. Heh.. Ok done venting ;D

Seems to me that would be a natural thing for a US dr to say. Besides, if we're self pay we still have to pay for complication care regardless of where we get our surgery. I KNOW FOR A FACT!

Ironically, I was trying to find somewhere to post my opinion of what I've noticed from reading the forum. To me, and someone please do correct abetterme4.2 and me, but it seems the majority of complication arise from domestic drs here in the states. I can only guess as to why. Lack of experience due to insurance co. denial or self pay cost for the patients and/ or gov't regulations on the procedure? Anyone else notice this trend?

Because some of us are coming from making the mistake of getting the lap band instead of the sleeve. I lost the weight with the band but urgently had to have it removed. I regret the lapband immensely! Would NEVER EVER recommend it to any one. That said.. I'm getting the sleeve prior to gaining all the weight back. There's no reason I should wait until I'm morbidly obese and then have my body have to work twice as hard to become healthy again. Yes, I am scared to death of the complications since the band had me on my death bed twice. I don't know ... To each his own I guess

Yep, it's a breeze!Fact, you're probably in lalaland already. ENJOY! When I was banded I had so many done I looked forward to them.. Best sleep I ever experienced while having the band. I wasn't coughing, gagging, or puking blood. Hey, if i knew how, I would change my name on here to Ms AntiBand... Maybe I'll work on that. ANYWAY .. Be on your way and relax ;D

Hahaha, Brenda... I so agree about the hot flashes. I am 55 and my family has been wishing menopause on me for years so they won't have to suffer from me being cold all the time and sweating them out of the house and car. I am barely beginning menopause and yep... The hot flashes just don't last long enough and then I am stone old again! Not even long enough to shed my hugeass sweatshirt. Course, if being cold all the time was my worst complaint in life than I'm living pretty good.

Ok, sorry, but I am lost! Where are these ridiculous quotes coming from? I had surgery in Acuna and Juarez .. And y'all know what? I WOULD DO IT AGAIN!

Well.. I'm probably going to get the sleeve, but sadly I don't (yet) have my hubby's support. I guess it has to do with that whole dying thing and all. Ok.. Probably a little of the $ aspect of things too, but I've given up my Europe tour (by approx 10 mos) so I can obtain the sleeve surgery. Going to MX is not an issue for me. I have had such amazing experience down there that I would recommend it whole heartedly to anyone. BUT .. Do your research and don't just go via price comparison. My biggest fear is if by chance I have complications again.. Well, not only would I see my Europe trip disappear .. I kind of like having a savings that stays intact for retirement. Dang, being fat sucks

Yep, obviously, Ive got sucky insurance. No doubt in my mind. djssv0523.. Complications were due to the band and never ever for any thing due with the surgery or drs or locations where I received the bands. Bands slipped, eroded and ulcerated and I nearly bled out. For fear of regaining my weight I repeatedly refused to allowed the removal, but eventually on one of my ER visits I was unconscious for enough days that they were permitted to remove it without my consent. Prior to the surgery I woke up and they had to sedate me because I went ballistic on them. Thank God they I'd or I'd be a statistic or sure.

I agree with the above... It all depends on the policy. I too have BC but my policy strictly states that they will not pay for ANYTHING related to WLS. I had self pay MX surgery with over $75,000 complication cost and guess what? I have one savings account nearly drained. I fought tooth and nail for it to be covered under the medical necessity clause since my life did depend on it.. Hell, They didn't care. I was in ICU for days, unconscious for some of those, emergent surgery to remove the band so my BP would rise to join the living and .. Apparently, they think that's not medically necessary to save my life. Go figure, huh? And to think we pay $500.00+ a month plus what our employer contributes for insurance coverage. To say the least... I HATE INSURANCE COMPANIES. Grrrr...

Oh I hit my goal weight of 135lbs, but then continued to lose another 35lbs! Well, YEAH... I was dying! The more I read this forum the more I fear any gastric surgery

Lucky you, MandyMO.. I have to finish getting over my fears and then some how convince my husband I won't come close to dying again. Plus, I owe so much in past care that $ is an issue now too

Oh I forgot to mention my several blood transfusions and monthly iron infusions. I have a permanent port inserted in my chest because they can no longer access any veins in my arms. Good Lord, what was I thinking?

YES.. The band is that BAD! I was banded in 06 and self paid. Had 6 years of complications and even had it replaced at an additional cost. I had been hospitalized so many times I've lost count. Several times I was unconscious and never knew I was admitted. My insurance refuses to pay (some costs are being legally appealed on the medical necessity clause). My last hospitalization they couldn't bring my bp up to save me so they did urgent surgery n removed the band the second time. I m in debt over $200 grand. Sadly, I am in the process of researching the sleeve... Something I should have done many years and dollars ago