Hello everyone!! My name is Mya... I'm so glad I found your forum. I just got off the phone with the staff at the hospital in Mexico, and I'm getting BANDED... May 16 should be the day.. a little va-cay, and a little surgery. YAY!! I'm so psyched about loosing this stubborn 20lbs. I've tried fasting, but I get sooo hungggrrryy.. It'd be nice to not have that craving, ya know?? Anyhow.. I'm looking forward to swimsuit season!!! So glad to be here.. Hey, how did you guys get those banners that say how much you have to lose? I'm at 117lbs now, and I'd like to get down to 97 (But I'd be TOTALLY happy to be at 100!!!!)

Anyhow, off to work.

Later

Mya

This webpage looks different today than it did yesterday. Ok, first I want to really, REALLY thank Alexandra.. I really do appreciate you kindness, and honest opinions and help. I do understand where you are coming from ..... I DO.. But I am powerless over food... I have to exercise soo much to keep from gaining weight after all the food I eat. It's becoming a crazy cycle... I know that I am not overweight now, but I do fear I will be... becoming a model has always been a goal for me, I've done a few catalogs and stuff.. but I do see your point about scarring and not being able to reveal my tummy. I have spoken with the couselor (I guess that's what she is) at the center in mexico.. and I've paid (in full... ick) the $8500.... I am going to go thru with it, and am scheduled for May 15th....... Thank you again for all of your support and advise.

mya-out

Mya,

Don't you think that your height only being 5'6" will be more of a hurdle for you to get over, than your current weight? Most models are a lot taller than you are.

Tami

This webpage looks different today than it did yesterday. Ok, first I want to really, REALLY thank Alexandra.. I really do appreciate you kindness, and honest opinions and help. I do understand where you are coming from ..... I DO.. But I am powerless over food... I have to exercise soo much to keep from gaining weight after all the food I eat. It's becoming a crazy cycle... I know that I am not overweight now, but I do fear I will be... becoming a model has always been a goal for me, I've done a few catalogs and stuff.. but I do see your point about scarring and not being able to reveal my tummy. I have spoken with the couselor (I guess that's what she is) at the center in Mexico.. and I've paid (in full... ick) the $8500.... I am going to go thru with it, and am scheduled for May 15th....... Thank you again for all of your support and advise.

mya-out

Mya, I'm really sorry to hear you've made this decision. But you obviously have the right to whatever action you choose.

One thing: the "counselor" is no counselor at all. She is out to do only one thing, and that is get business for the medical practice. Please don't fool yourself into thinking that she has any personal concern for you. If there was anyone there giving actual medical advice of any value, you would not be their patient for banding. Period.

I also smell something fishy. But if all the stories about Betancourt weren't enough, the fact that they would approve Mya proves that they are purely about money and not about health. ABSURD!!

Mya,

Did you read everything on Betancourt? First of all the surgery was not designed for someone like you. It is for obese people. Second if you read everything and researched Betancourt you would never have your surgery there. This is very immature.

Ok, so I am all set.. I got the email confirmation and my flight to San Diego is BOOKED... I am leaving here on Monday the 14th, and my surgery will be on Wednesday.. and my BF was able to get off from work, so he will be coming with me..

I am going to have him take some 'before' pics tonight (i'm not too good with the camera).. and then will do afters, and scar progressions ... I don't know how to post pictures on here, so maybe someone here can show me how.

Hope you all have a nice weekend.

mya-out

Before pictures!!!! Please.

Ok, so I am all set.. I got the email confirmation and my flight to San Diego is BOOKED... I am leaving here on Monday the 14th, and my surgery will be on Wednesday.. and my BF was able to get off from work, so he will be coming with me..

I am going to have him take some 'before' pics tonight (i'm not too good with the camera).. and then will do afters, and scar progressions ... I don't know how to post pictures on here, so maybe someone here can show me how.

Hope you all have a nice weekend.

mya-out

Don't go to Betancourt!!

No other clinic would approve you, right? They only want your money and do not care about your health or safety.

No other clinic would approve you, right? They only want your money and do not care about your health or safety.

That is a really disturbing and acute observation. Mya, please take it to heart and THINK TWICE about this.

That is a really disturbing and acute observation. Mya, please take it to heart and THINK TWICE about this.

What is really sad is if this person really goes through with this and she comes home with tons of problems and gets butchered. There is only so much you can do to help someone and open their eyes.

Stacy

I just got an email from Violet(?) from the hospital. She says that I need to bring with me a prescription from a psychiatric professional (I'm guessing she means a psychiatrist) clearing me for the surgery, along with a prescription for the lap band from a U.S. physician. She says I don't meet the weight criteria otherwise... I'm kind of pissed, because this is the first they've said ANYTHING like that... Now EVERYTHING is set.. and I have to try to find a doc to 'prescribe' the surgery.. if I could have done that, I would have just had it done here. :-( :-( :-(

Good! Of course you don't meet the weight criteria. Don't you read the posts from everyone else? Please take the information given to on these threads and make a better decision for your own health and safety.

Of course not. You are a walking lawsuit. Not to mention any surgeon who bands you may also lose their medical license. At this board we care, that is why we looked at your thread in the first place. You wrote about having surgery at Bentencourt and we wrote Whoa!!! Do some researc first. Instead you disreguarded not only the experts that have actually had the band, but medical experts in the field. You ignored everyone-even the one that loves you most of all-your own mother. Someone mentioned that at 5'6' your future in modeling is slim, except for local print work-well that is true. Sorry to be harsh and stilfe your dreams but it is true. You come to a board for advice and ignore every shred of it given to you. There is a operation that will make you taller, have you looked into that? They re-break you legs every few months, I know it seems rather drastic, but so is getting a band at your weight and height. But hey- anything to look like Paris Hilton or whomever vapid waste of space is popular at the moment.

I just got an email from Violet(?) from the hospital. She says that I need to bring with me a prescription from a psychiatric professional (I'm guessing she means a psychiatrist) clearing me for the surgery, along with a prescription for the lap band from a U.S. physician. She says I don't meet the weight criteria otherwise... I'm kind of pissed, because this is the first they've said ANYTHING like that... Now EVERYTHING is set.. and I have to try to find a doc to 'prescribe' the surgery.. if I could have done that, I would have just had it done here. :-( :-( :-(

To be honest, I'm quite relieved about this though I understand your frustration. Betancourt has just risen a coupla notches in my estimation. Turns out they DO have some medical standards!

Mya, believe us when we tell you this is a good thing. You have lots of options and weight-loss surgery is just not something you should be thinking about. Good luck with your future, whether it includes modeling or not!