Hi, everyone I have been reading these forums the past week. I am considering the surgery possibly in Monterrey, Mexico. I can't go on like I am ...yet I am very afraid of the possiblity of complications..I have three kids. I have a lower BMI 36. I have no control over portions and seem to rather have sweets. I am experiencing shortness breathe, I believe I have a hiatal hernia which seems to have really gotten bigger this summer since I gained more weight. I have leg pain , back pain and isolate from events because I 'm so embarressed by my weight. I,m the Wyonna Judd { who I love } of my family --thin mother and sister...three thin sister-in-laws. I also have a very fit good looking husband who is in the public eye.

Please tell me about if this band really made the difference and controlled your eating without torturing you with hunger and feelings of being deprived. Is having the band a little like being sick all of the time--in that I mean it sounds like it is very high maintenece and day to day.....Do most bandsters just eat whatever they want just less including stuff that is not really good for them? Is that why weight loss is very slow for some? Do the bandsters that stick to really healthy sugar free, fat free foods lose more faster? Most of all did you really feel a huge difference in your appetite or not? I am afraid I will do this and it will be torture mentally anyway and I will fell hungry and crave sweets all of the time like I do now....

I am in awe of the people I have read about on this site and really need your help deciding. I am very interested in knowing about this Mexico surgery and how do you find a Dr. for fills? Do they help you? I live in NJ an am close to NYC about a 30 minute ride by car or train.

Thanks For your Help Kelly Ann

Hi Kelly Ann -- I'm a Rumbaut fan, too. Tomorrow is my six-week banding anniversary, and despite the initial pains in my abdomen and bank account, I'm delighted that I made this decision -- full of energy, feeling great, and down a size!

Lots of us have posted threads on our Monterrey experiences; I think the most recent ones are Andrea's (http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3070) and mine

(http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2959), but be sure to check this board for older posts from more experienced bandsters.

You're entering an exciting, scary, wonderful phase in your life! Good luck -- and please let us know what you decide.