Should I?

Ok, I don't know if I'm in the right forum, but still worth a try, isn't it? So I'm a 20 y.o. male, I weight about 260 lbs, 6"1', and I've wanted to loose weight all my life, but it just seems that it doesn't work. I remember being 7 and I was on diets. Not that my parents forced me or anything, I was just terribly unhappy, and still am, actualy. So I heard about this Lap-Band thing, and it looks great! I'm not sure if I should do the surgery or not. How much does it cost? I've looked everywhere and can't find it... -_- Well thank you for your time, Care!

Can't help you much with this one as I am an RNYer.  However, I would suggest checking with the folks in the Lap Band Forum: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/

Hey...    The lap band is AWESOME!!!!! My name is bonnie smith and I am a 37 y.o. mother of 4. I never had weight problems until the pregnancy with my first son. since then, I have been anywhere from 85-185 lbs overweight. That is a long time to carry around an extra person on your back. I was scheduled 3 times for the gastric by-pass, but all 3 times the surgery fell through for one reason or another. I was totally sold on the by-pass. NO ONE could change my mind. Then my aunt had the band and went from a size 18-20 to a 6 within 7-8 months. We have been almost the same size our whole lives. This prompted me to look into the band. Once I found the info, it took me less than 48 hrs to make the decision, book the appt and buy a plane ticket. Where you are in Canada, I am not sure of how the health care system works, but my insurance will pay NOTHING towards weight loss or any problems that may arise associated with the band. But, I figured the cost of my happines and health was worth every penny I would spend. I went to Tijuana Mexico. the surgical team that I chose has been doing the band for over 10 yrs, (5 yrs longer than it has been approved in the US) plus he does on the average of 5-7/day 5 days a week. It was a no brainer for me. I wanted the best surgeon I could get, and I felt that Dr Kuri, fit every aspect that I was looking for in a surgeon. The hospital was beautiful. It is brand new, it has marble floors, gorgeous oversized stone showers, etc. It was cleaner than any hospital I have been to here in the US. I only live less than 1 mile from a brand new hospital, that does world class surgeries, but the surgeons have only been doing the lap band since Oct of 2006. and the cost was over two times as much. When I called for information, I knew more about the proceedure and follow up than the receptionist that they had answering the calls concerning either WLS. I was determined then and there that the only reason these DR's had started the band was because of the PROFIT$$$$$$. I could have scheduled my surgery w-in 3-5 days, but because my BMI was so high, I had to do a 2 week liver shrinking diet before I could have the surgery. To attach the band they have to move your liver out of the way and your liver is a fatty organ and bleeds very easily. That is why I was atamant about following every rule that they gave me. My surgery cost $9500. The airfare for both myself and my husband round trip was only $230. Everything else was included in the cost. My surgery was 2-2-07. i did not lose any more weight from the time that I had the surgery untlil my first fill on 3-15-07. Since 3-15-07, I have lost a total of 95 lbs. Since I started at 325....(230) sounds really good to me. I love the band because I am a sugar- a -holic and the thought of NEVER being able to enjoy a treat now and then was a little more than I could handle. I am a big girl....I admit defeat when i need to!!!! With the band, the only thing that I have had to totaly give up is pop. Which some days is hard, but for the most part, I really don't miss it. I eat what I want. I just don't eat any more than the 1/4 cup that I am told. If I want Ice Cream.....I get Ice Cream. just not a 1/2 gallon at a time. the best advice I can give you is to do a google search for lap band surgeons in what ever area you are looking. I googled lap band surgeons in Mexico. I went through Belite weight loss services. They make you fill out a questionare and then they will send you more info once they process your request. Best of luck, If I can help in any way let me know. Were all in this together, and hopefully we can all get out of it together as well.....Bonnie

Ive had the lapband just a few weeks ago and so far i am very happy with it. How much it cost really depends on insurance or where you go to have it done. I hear Mexico is the best place to go if you are self pay.

Come over to the Lap Band Forum, you will get lots of answers there. I had Lapband on 4-1, in Tj. Mexico w/ dr. Corvala. I too went thru Beliteweight as well. They are wonderfull. As was the surgeon and hospital. I would do it again in a heart beat. I paid $8000. plus round trip airfare for me and hubby. I spent a total of 9200. Well worth the $. So far i'm down 34lbs and feeling soooo much better. I get my first fill on the 30th. I really like the idea of the band that it is adjustable, and doesn't make a permanent change in my plumming. Also, bandster don't have the issue of dumping and malobsorbtion. We digest our food and get our nutrients from all we eat. It doesn't just go thru us. We learn to eat in a healthy manner, portion control, better choices etc... And when we are at goal, it's easier to maintain.  Good luck with you decision and God bless. PS. ck our my profile, more info and pics about Mexico.

Go for it.
I am 4 almost 5 weeks post op and very happy with the 20lbs lost so far. I really waffled between this surgery and the RNY, mostly because my doctor reccommended the RNY. Anyway I choose the band and I made the right choice. In the hospital where I had my surgery, three of us were there at the same time, 2 banders and 1 RNY. Myself and the other bander were up and walking around, very little pain, and the girl with the RNY next to me howled in pain all day and night. Thats when I knew it was the right choice for me.