ok when I went to have my surgery I already knew some people felt I wasnt a true candidate for the procedure but technically I was obese and trust me my ankles and knees knew it but I gotta say I felt that way about a young girl who was being prepared for the procedure in my room as I was being checked out-she was 5'7 195 pounds and honestly she did not look very overweight or certainly not enough to me to have the procedure but with that said I am not another persons judge but I do wonder if the criteria is very low if nonexistant down in good ole meheeco compared to here cause Im almost positive the doctor I originally was gonna use here in the states would NOT have took her.Any thoughts?Either way I hope all goes well for everyone who has this done because we all want a more happy healthy life.

Well I think it really depends on the situation of every person....maybe that girl has lost and gained like 60 or 70 pounds quite a few times and is gaining again and needs a tool like the rest of us. Yes Mexico has no "exact standereds like the US does." The procedure is minimally invasive and the band is removable, so it is a good choice for some in this situation...rather than to get MO and then have a Gastric Bypass or something. In Mexico they view this surgery with less of the negitive views twords lower BMI patents because they see it as not very invasive and almost no fatal complications. Hope that helps

so have you decided if you will be having this done?I have a pic of the facility in tijuana if interested.

I believe the FDA requires you be at least 100 pounds overweight to get banded in the US, or you at least have to be significantly obese with co-morbities (weight related health risks such as diabetes, hypertension, high BMI etc.)

Mexico has no such standards. They'll band anyone.

Yep, I think in Mexico, you got money, you get band!

Hey, Alatina, you should post your pic on the Banding in MX thread you started before you left so quickly! I'd love to see it.

hmmmmm-a pic of me?I dont know-I tended to shy away from cameras in the last 10 years but what the heck-I'll see what I got but be warned Im chopping my head off since Ive told NO ONE(except hubby and best friend) in my personal life I had this done-not even family.I feel like Im having an affair or something-lol.

There was a 13 year old getting banded when I did. She was probably 50-60 pounds overweight. Her aunt was also getting banded at the same time. At first I thought it was horrible to band a teen, but her mom had a Gastric Bypass the prior year. With a morbidly obese mom and aunt, an overweight teen probably doesn't have much of a chance. I wish they'd find LBT. We all exchanged e-mails but they never wrote back. I'd like to see that lil girl smile.

yeah the girl Im talking about was 17-her mom had it done 3 yrs prior.

Nicole, on the pic, post the one of the facility in TJ. I'd love to see a pic of you, too! But keep your privacy if you need to. Noone here minds. Glad to be the object of your affection these days! I guess it is kinda like some illicit affair?! That's funny. Your secrect is safe with us! As long as your hubby doesn't mind, that is! LOL