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First timer here-hello to all



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Hi, I am so new to message boards that I don't even know if I needed to start a new thread or what but wanted to weigh in (no pun intended) and say hello.

My husband & I are just about to commit to lap band surgery in Mexico. His employer opted to exclude medical insurance for any coverage of any type of weight loss regardless of morbidity risks. We had such great hopes when we were told the employer was changing insurance companies. But, again no coverage.

We have been saving for over a year and a half and feel that we can't wait any longer. Getting on and off the low carb bandwagon just isn't accomplishing anything for us. My husband has been researching and decided that our best bet would be in Monterrey with a Dr. Zapata not only because of his pricing/coverage but primarily because of the hospital itself that he uses is well respected and top notch. I am a little nervous about the whole thing since we will be doing this in about 2-3 weeks because of time constraints for previous professional commitments my husband has. He will need the 2-3 week recovery before resuming his extensive traveling in late April.

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Hello, and congrats to you both !!!!

In your research have you considered Dr. Kuri in TJ Mexico? He did mine, and I'm a 100% happy with the work. Dr. Kuri is one of the best lap-band Dr's around. He trained most of the other Dr's in Mexico and some Dr's here in the USA.. The cost is $8,900 for all, Hospital stay for two in a brand new hospital (state of the art), pick up and return to airport, hotel stay for two, and free fill's... Good luck !!:clap2:

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Hi! I'm a new member as well. I was serfing Google.com and found this site. I'm going in for my 1sts seminare this week to turn in my insurance information so I can start the process of Lap-band. I'm 5'3 and 230 lbs. I've got a long way to go but It's a change I need to make. I'm really nervous about doing this . This is the most extreme thing i've ever done. But i know when it's all over i'll be able to have fun with my kids and enjoy the life i've always wanted for myself.

My name is JayCee and i'm from Norman, Ok. Just thought i'd post my hellos :eek:)

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Hello and Welcome to all!

Good luck to you, and I am sure you are making a great decision. It is very hard to consider such a step, but once you do, you will be happy you did it.

I only wish I would have done it sooner in my life, and not wasted all those years with yo yo dieting, to find myself heavier each time I gained it back.

Let us know how you make out!

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Hi Blue tattoo and Conno! WELCOME to lapbandtalk.com

Conno, WOW - another banded couple (soon to be!) There's a couple of other banded couples around here. Hope you guys can connect for the sake of supporting each other. How wonderful that you and your spouse can share this experience together!

And dont worry about the Mexico trip. A VERY high number of bandsters travel to Mexico for their surgery and fills. A big number of those folks can be found lurking around here. If you need anything, just ask. Those Mexico-bound bandsters are so valuable for their experience!

Glad to have all of you... good luck!

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Hey Conno, congrats to you and hubby. Welcome! Lots of info here.

and greetings out to Norman, Oklahoma. Welcome.

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GREETINGS TO THE NEWBIES!!!!!!

My husband and I both are banded, so if we can answer any questions, go for it!!!

Jaycee, we are in Arkansas, not far from you, who will be doing your surgery, and just to let you know there is a support group that meets in Texarkana, and one I think in Idabel. Drs. Keilin and Hekier started them both. Again WELCOME TO BANDLAND!!!!! Mizboo

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Hey, that is really great about you both being banded together, you are able to understand what each other is going through.

I almost considered going to Mexico myself to Dr. Ortiz at TJ, it's just that I live in Kansas and it is so far to travel if I have any problems, I would have to be able to get a plane to San Diego, so by the time I paid for my plane tickets there wouldn't be a whole lot of difference in what I'm paying int Topeka.......Good luck to you both and keep us posted on how things go.

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Thank you for the warm welcomes! Wish412, I used to live in DeQueen with my ex-husband so I know exactly where those places are at :(

Dr. Ronnie L. Keith will be doing my surgery. He came highly recommended from a few friends and co-workers. it's gonna cost about $18k but my insurance will cover most of it. I was just suprised when i called my insurance company that they would cover it since i'm a part time employee. they said out of pocket expenses i'll have to pay around 1300. WHich isn't a bad trade off. and it covers my 1st year fills.

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I did alot of oresearch on this . I spent about a month looking through success stories, finding information on doctors, and then finally meeting up with doctors. After speaking with the doctors I have to go to my first siminare on it and they answer all my questions there. That's my first step. After the siminare they take my insurance information and then get ahold of me after my insurance has responded to their request so i can schedual my surgery date.

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My name is Starr and I'm 26 years old . I want to make a change in my life is there anybody out there that can tell me how to get started so I can have a brighter outlook on life. I know one thing I'm tired of being FATT people looking at you everywhere you go. Going to the theme parks wondering if you'll be able to fit on the ride. I'm just tired

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I haven't been banded yet, but I'm still looking into it. I'm just tired of being the person that always stand out for the wrong reasons. Everybody tells me that I have a good looking face but thats it. I'm still young and there's alot I haven't seen nor done. I want to go into a store and fine clothes in a wider selection not the stuff that's seem to went out of style several years ago or going to olders stores I would like to go into a store and find cute stuff without the flowers

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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