My decision on Lap-Band
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After |
Yes…I know what you are thinking ‘what a huge difference’, it’s truly amazing to see what a difference 100+ lbs makes. Drastic circumstances call for drastic measures and being morbidly obese is without a doubt a drastic circumstance and it is a matter of life and death.
~ My Story ~
My Name is Karen, I’m a 26 years old Social Worker from California. Most of my life I’ve been thin, I started gaining weight after I had my daughter and got married. The weight slowly started creeping up more and more.
In January of 2003 I decided to do research on the best method of weight loss for those who are morbidly obese. I found a doctors article on morbid obesity and it said that 100% of patients surveyed that were on diets and DID lose weight GAINED IT BACK. 100%!!! I couldn't believe it when I read that. I felt doomed for the rest of my life. But then I kept reading and the article said that an obese person CAN maintain a healthy weight through some sort of weight loss surgery. That got me thinking! If that worked for other obese people maybe it would work for me too.
I started to research the gastric bypass aka Roux-N-Y and I was awe struck by all the stories of successful weight loss. I tried not to notice all the stories where people had major complications following the surgery.
I received information from several different bypass surgeons and was very excited about the potential of finally being thin. I discussed the surgery with my mother and husband and they both agreed that the surgery was way to drastic and harsh on the body, I finally realized that maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to have my stomach stapled and my intestines cut-up.
Bummed, yet again, that the surgery wouldn't work out I figured I was doomed to being an obese hermit for the rest of my life. Well, a few days later my friend mentioned that he had heard on T.V. that Sharon Osbourne, a famous TV celebrity, lost weight thru a minimal invasive surgery called Gastric Banding a.k.a Lap-Band surgery. I started my research and read that the average person looses between 75% and 85% of their excess weight. So if you had 100 pounds to lose you'd most likely lose 80 pounds. I figured the number was a little less then the bypass but what really got my attention was the fact that they didn't cut or staple anything!!! People didn't die from this surgery like they can with the bypass surgery and if you did have intolerable complications you can have the band 100% removed and go back to normal.
I couldn't believe it. A weight loss surgery that didn't cut and slice your intestines OR stomach, didn't have ANY major side effects AND would cause permanent weight loss. I found out that the surgery is very common in Europe and Mexico, Doctors have been performing this surgery for over 20 years. There was no doubt in my mind that this was indeed the surgery I wanted. Now, I had to find a good doctor. I started by doing my re-search with local doctors and noticed that the average price for surgery was about $18,000, which was very high. I continued my re-search and joined several yahoo groups and noticed that a lot of patients have gotten their surgery in Mexico and were so happy with the whole experience. At first, I was a little hesitant about having surgery outside the U.S. but the more and more I researched and read patients experience I said why not.
I did research to find out who the most experienced surgeon was that I could afford. I came across Dr. Verboonen and his group at www.obesitygoodbye.com in Tijuana Mexico.
I spoke to the patient coordinator, Marlon who is such a sweetheart. I also spoke to several patients of Dr.Verboonen to hear about their experience and they all had positive things to say about the group so I felt very comfortable with my decision. I had surgery on September 8th, 2003 in Tijuana Mexico. The hospital was immaculately clean and the nurses and doctors were so professional. I was really amazed. The day after the surgery I was feeling great, Marlon even took me shopping. Luckily, I have not had any complications with the surgery and till this day I have lost a little over 100lbs. What gives me even more comfort is that the doctor himself has the band! I think that is great, he understands what it like to be overweight and what it is to have the band.
I was so happy with the surgery and the results that I am now a patient coordinator for Dr. Verboonen, he performs most of his surgeries in Tijuana however he also performs surgeries in Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.
I am the patient coordinator for patients who decide to have surgery in Cancun and Cabo San Lucas, the website address is www.hopeparadise.com IF you prefer to have surgery in Tijuana the website is www.obesitygoodbye.com
For those of you considering surgery the best advice I can give you is to please do your research! Read as much as you can and just be well informed.
Here is the link to the official BioEntrics Inamed Lap Band Patient handbook; it is in PDF Adobe Acrobat format. Bio-Entrics Inamed are the official lap band makers. This 25- page book contains really great information, I recommend you print it, grab yourself a cup of coffee and read the whole thing. If you have problems downloading it PLEASE let me know and I will send you a copy.
http://www.inamed.com
In case you don’t have Adobe Acrobat reader, here is a link so my you may download it. Don’t worry it is completely safe.
http://www.adobe.com
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me.
My toll free number is 1866-673-4538.
If you need to contact me immediately I can be reached at my cell phone (510) 435-4147.
My email address is Karen@hopeparadise.com
If you have MSN messenger and would like to chat with me you can also add me on my email address is kctellez78@hotmail.com I’m usually on messenger during the day.
Good luck in your journey~
Karen
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