Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad to have found this website. I have been thinking about and getting closer to making the decision for a while now. I am 58 yrs old, am a diabetic and have fibromyalgia. I have fought the weight battle all my life but age is making it much harder. Maybe some of you can help me with some questions or tell me where on the forum I can find the answers.

My insurance will not cover anything to do with weight loss, though they would pay if I were a drug addict or alcoholic and needed help. So does anyone know of a good relatively low cost surgeon or clinic in the US to get this done: Has anyone been to Mexico or elsewhere and had it done? Good or bad experience and where? I am in VA but traveling to protect my life and health will be worth it.

How do you feel about food after the surgery? I am wondering if cooking for family, at holidays etc will be a hateful chore when I can't eat much of anything.

Does anyone know when the first bands were implanted and if over years any problems develop? I don't think we yet have grannies in nursing home with them, though maybe we do!

I am looking forward to sharing and learning from you all,

Mountaingal

Hi mountaingal, welcome to lapbandtalk. Here's a good place to start:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/researching-mexican-lap-band-surgeons-101-a-66635/

Good luck!

Thank you so much for the links. You have done a wonderful job pulling together all that info about surgery choices many of which are just as valid in the US as in Mexico. I am sure it is highly valued and appreciated by many of us as we research and consider this life changing choice.

Mountaingal

Hi,

I have fibro, as well. I know it's hard w/the added weight. It's a catch 22, at least for me. Exercise hurts the whole body for days afterward .... but need to exercise to lose weight

I started looking into the band about a year ago. I was banded 6/08. So far, I'd say it was well worth it.

When I first brought the issue up w/my mom, I thought she'd be against it. But, she was very encouraging. Turns out one of her friends had one put in years ago, one of the first band-types on the market. He loves it. Only thing he hates about it is that he can not eat anything w/cinnamon in it.

Good luck on your ventures :smile2:

Thanks for your reply Kristine. I know all about that catch 22. My Dr is all for the idea but my ins won't pay for anything to do with weight loss so it would probably need to be done out of the country. Where did you have your surgery? I think one of my daughter's would be very supportive not really sure about anyone else in my world.

This is for my health though so I am past caring if others don't approve. Glad to hear of your mom's friend's long term success.Long term issues are of some concern to me.

Mountaingal

Only thing he hates about it is that he can not eat anything w/cinnamon in it.

Wow! Now how weird is that! :smile2: