Hi everyone! Nurse WannaBe here!

Hi all, I am getting ready to start my FOURTH SEMESTER!!!!! WoooHoooo! I am also considering surgery, but have not decided on lap-band or RNY. I am also on Jenny Craig because I promised my family I would try another diet (about the millionth one). Can anyone tell me of a reliable source of information regarding risks of the two surgeries? Everything I read about lap-band seems too good to be true. I am hesitant to rearrange my anatomy with the RNY, but have heard of some great successes. Anyway, I am DONE. I diet every single day of my life just to keep from gaining more. I am to the point where I am almost willing to sneak over to T.J. and have surgery and don't tell anyone, but I'm not sure how safe Mexico is for surgery. I would appreciate any wisdom on any of the above. Thanks, Laurie

Hey Laurie, This is a little late but I just wanted to give my input. I WOULD NOT go to another country for a major surgery. The main reason is aftercare. After a major change like this, we need a good competent surgeon with an excellent followup program to handle any possible complications. Don't get me wrong, when I was feeling desparate for a second I considered it, but the nurse in me got rational and talked some sense in to me. It may be right for other's, but not me. JMHO Now as for the debate between the Lapband and the RNY, I never made up my mind 100%. Both have their pro's and con's. I had the rny 4 weeks ago, but I could have just as easily gone for the lapband. Good luck with your decisions and future nursing career! ~Jenn~

Hi Laurie, I disagree with t he previous poster. I had the adjustable gastric band put in in Reynosa, Mexico, and I couldn't have gotten better care. The hospital put the hospitals in the states to shame. It was ultra modern, sparkling clean, the staff was wonderful, the doctors very competent, most have done some of their training in the US and in Europe. As far as aftercare, I checked that out before I went and found a physician in my town that would follow me for emergencies. As for the fills, I will just go back to Reynosa once every 3-4 months. if needed. It cost half as much as here and that's why I had it because my insurance doesn't consider it necessary. No disrespect to t he previous poster but as an ICU RN of 14 years, I did my homework and got very nice results.