I have decided to take the plunge. I want to get banded. I received my package from a local dr office and will mail it back tomorrow. I was told there is a 6 week wait for a consultation and a few months for surgery. I am 195 lbs and 5'1. I have been overweight for 10 years and want to make a healthy life change.

Hi, I was banded Jan 25,08 in tijuana, mexico. I am around the same height and was around 185 lbs at the time. I have since lost around 45 lbs and couldn't be happier. I chose Mexico because the cost was a third of what it would have cost in Canada ($7500.00) and there was no wait time. From the time I made my decision to have the surgery to the actual surgery date was about 3-4 wks! My only regret is not having this done 25 years ago! I am able to eat anything in small quantities and I have excellent appetite control. i have had only 1 fill at about 6 wks post-op and have no need as yet to go for another! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

mom2two: Hi, I think I posted to you on another website but just in case, be sure you research your aftercare carefully if you chose to go out of province or our of country. There are a few fill nurses in Washington who do fills if you have a vehicle and can get down there. The only doctor I know of in the Vancouver area that does fills for other doctors is a Dr. Woodhead but he will not do Mexican patients. Don't take my word for it though, contact him before going to Mexico and ask him. Also, remember there is more to aftercare than a few fills. For instance I had to fly back to Toronto to have my port position corrected because it had flipped. For me to get a free fill in Toronto,it costs me $1,000.00 to fly there, taxi and hotels and meals. My point is to go wherever you like with your eyes open as to the complete care and costs associated with the band. Assess whether or not you can afford to go back to Mexico, or down to Washington State, Calgary, etc. Sometime it is cheaper in the long run to use one of the two doctors in the Vancouver area who are both very competent. Doreen

I am going to go with a local dr. So far, I am waiting for a consultation. So I am just beginning the process.