Tropicana

...before getting the procedure done? I've done alot of research but don'tknow it all. So I'd like to get input from others who have been through this. What do they forget to tell you or did you not realize you'd expereince post op?

Wow you guys are so much help! i saw Dr. Benavides ad in the newspaper, soi have heard of him. I don't think I would ever opt going to another country to get the surgery done. I'll just scrimp and save. If soemthing goes wrong, I have the comfort of knowing my doctor is in town. But boy do I wish they had financing for this stuff!

I definitely know that if I get this procedure done, the only person i'm telling is my boyfriend and maybe my sister (in case i die in the surgery she can tell everyone). Out of my entire family including extended...I am the fattest one. My family is brutally honest with each other and I don't want to hear more criticisms or worse...insulting compliments. "Oh Trop, your stomach is FINALLY reducing. Maybe now you can find a man"

Thank you! So let's say I don't qualify for the insurance coverage bc my BMi is not high enough. Can i still get the surgery if I self pay?

Anybody aware of any lapband presentations happening anytime soon in DFW? I know they advertise them all the time in the newspaper but I haven't checked recently. Any help would be much appreciated.

What goes on during the first consult. Does the doctor weigh you and examine you or what?

I saw a picture of some woman on here with her before and after tummy tuck (the after was amazing!) so i was wondering if that was normal or not.

As you lose the weight? I'm on the line (BMI of 34.9) and have really good skin. No stretch marks but lots of lipo on my thighs. Since lap band is a slower process does your skin have time to adjust or what?

How do you guys deal with eating out post op? Do you just order from the kids menu or do you order a full meal and half it?

aLSO...I do want to do this for health reasons....as i said earlier...I am a student and have to do hours of studying and my lower back is killing me. I can only really focus when i am laying on my back...and that's the perfect position to fall asleep with a book on my face. I'd like the lower back pain to go away. I am relatively healthy for a fat person and don't want to the increasing comorbidities that ome with age.

When you say documenting my past attempts what do you mean?? I have tried diet and exercise in the past but nothing works...maybe 5 or ten pounds will come off but it will come right back plus some. I have never had a medically supervised diet. I don't think I want to try drugs.

I am considering lap band surgery. Here are my stats: 22 5'10 and a 1/2" this morning I weighed in at 250 pounds I wear a size 20. I am under my parent's insurance (I'm in grad school and can still be carried by them) and it's united healthcare. i don't know if it is a PPO or not. I have no existing comorbidities except joint pain, back pain, and I get out of breath really easily. I have low to normal blood pressure (but a family history of high blood pressure) and I'm not sure about my cholesterol or glucose levels but I do not have a history of diabetes or heart disease in my family. I don't want to be the first. i would like to know what goes on during the first consultation. I live in Dallas, btw.