hi all!! I didn't know there was a board just for us! I had lap-RNY 092603...down 80 lbs I will definately check here again. Michelle

Jessica, I am so desperate to have this surgery that I, too, would probably consider going south. I have no real information on this subject, but I do want to give you some moral support. Sounds like you are doing the homework, and that is important. Bless you in your search for info. Hugs, Sherri

Hello to all you wonderful, brilliant nurses! I'm considering having my surgery in Mexico. I was all ready to surgery here in Tampa, but my insurance is UHC for a company of 20 or less---they don't offer WLS--even though it's offered to companies with over 20 employees. It sucks, but I need to move on. I looked into Dr. Aguilla in Mexico and have heard from previous patients of his that he is quite competent, and a member of the American Academy of Bariatric--and the Mexican version of the same. Anyway--my question is: Would any of you go to Mexico to have this surgery done?? I'm no dummy. I have a BSN and have been a nurse since 1995---but I'm finding that in the states, I simply cannot afford to have surgery because I'm now self pay. If any of you have a free moment, you can look on the top of this page under "communities"--scan to the bottom of the page to "south of the boarder"--and look up this doc. I checked in with post-ops who have had wonderful success with him. And I looked up his name on the website for the Academy of Bariatric Surgeons and found his name there. Do any of you think I'm missing some pertinent piece of information that sends up red flags to you? I'm almost 300 pounds and have been battling this weight for the vast majority of my life. My family history is littered with co-morbidities, and I have HTN and DDD in my lower back. Any thoughts?? Thank you, Jessica

This is the first time I have posted in the RN section. Mary, I went and read your profile and was thrilled to see you are a Harley-babe too! I ride my husband's Sportster every chance I get. You are a better girl than me, I have not gotten my endorsement yet. Better get going on that one of these days. I am currently in the process of starting a new job. I am going to work for an agency where at least I get paid better for all the crap us nurses have to put up with. My last job was at an outpatient cancer center where they let me go after my performance dropped because of health issues I developed from stress on the job. (Insomnia, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, depression, etc.) Even thought I had repeatedly asked to cut my hours and was refused because "We are too short on staff". Well, they used me up and spit me out when they couldn't get anymore out of me. I am pretty jaded about the nursing profession right now can you tell. Well, I have my first appointment with my surgeon on Thursday, and I am pretty amped up about it. I can't wait to get the ball rolling on this. I'm ready to be lean and mean again!!! Hugs to you all!! Sherri

Welcome Aggie, I am tring to get out of "lurk" mode. I, too, am post-op 5 days now. Welcome to this board. I hope to post more often--like Mary!!! Melissa