Hi - I am new - happy to say that Donali referred me. I am pre-band will be getting banded on 01/24/03. I am 36 - female-I have 4 wonderful children- married now for 16 years.

I am excited, nervous, and researching all I can. I desparetly need a band buddy because I am going down this road alone. My family thinks I am -

1. Lazy for having WLS done.

2. Crazy to be going to Mexico for the procedure.

My husband is very supportive though and knows how much this means to me.

Well thats all for now

Terri

Hi Terri,

I got the same response from my family and friends. I wish they knew what they were doing to us.

I hope you get the support you need. There are a lot of people on this board who have gone or are going to Mexico for surgery.

Good luck!

Christina

Hey Terri!

Good to see you here!

It is hard to overcome the prejudice of people on both fronts - WLS, and sugery in Mexico. Just remember that it is not your job or duty to convince anyone - you are an adult, and in charge of your own self, so whatever you decide is best for you goes!

So glad your husband is supportive - that really does help.

Best of luck in your research!

P.S. - the $1800 was just to reposition the port, not replace it. It was supposed to be $1700 USD, but the amount that got charged was in pesos, and the resulting amount "held" on my account was $1821, so I am waiting to see the final number.

Hi Terri:

That is why I haven't told anybody about my upcoming surgery except my husband and mom who are my best friends and support me 100%. As for the others - siblings, in-laws, co-workers: I can't take the chance that they won't understand and try to talk me out of it or just put me down like your family has done. It took me long enough to talk myself into it and I don't want to hear any negativity about it. And unless they have walked 35 years (out of 43) in my shoes like I have - I really don't care what their opinions are. When I get thin - I may tell them or I may not. They probably don't realize how hard it is to do daily activities or buy clothes off the rack.

I've done the research and you probably have too. I'm satisfied that I will be in good hands and I'm at peace with it. No one else is going to have the knowledge that we have from the research we've done before they give their opinions - solicited or not.

I'm having my banding done right after Christmas - so nobody should even miss me. Feel free to write to me so we can go through this together.

Leannie

Surgery scheduled 12/27/03

Dr. Sanchez

Highest 296

280/280/140

mbennett1@wi.rr.com