I too thought about going to Mexico to have my surgery, but the worry about not being near to my doctor should anything go wrong was too big of a concern for me. I too went with South Valley Surgical www.svsurgical.com. They have a GREAT program. Preliminary workshops, monthly support groups, 1 year of aftercare. Their program director and several of the staff are fellow lap-band patients, so they totally "get" the whole process! (does it sound like I am biased? ha ha ha! I am totally biased) I have some friends who did go to Mexico, and the biggest problem with that is follow-up care. Because, if you do not have the follow-up care (fills and unfills when you need them) you might as well not get the surgery because it will not work. The hospital where the doctor in Payson does the fills just raised their price, I think it is now almost $500 for a fill there. I had my surgery over 3 years ago, and had about 6 fills the first year, and maybe 3 adjustments the 2nd year. If you add that up at even $350 per fill, that is over $3000. Which is about what you would save by having the surgery in MX. Just something to think about. There is a group of Utah Bandsters who gets together for dinner once a month, and you would be more than welcome to join us anytime! We have people who have not had the surgery yet and people who are contemplating the surgery. It is a great opportunity to talk to people and find out about their experiences. There are several people who participate in the dinners who had their surgery in MX too, and some of them take the day off and fly to San Diego and go down to Tiajuana to get their fills and spend about the same as driving to Payson. Lots of options. Anyways, the next dinner (it is usually on the 3rd Monday of the month) is this coming Monday, February 19th at 6:00 p.m. Ruby Tuesday's 3318 SOUTH DECKER LAKE DRIVE WEST VALLEY CITY, UT 84119 Phone: 801-972-1897 (Just east of I-215 on 35th South, by the E-Center) Please let me know by 3:00 p.m. On the 19th if you are planning on joining us. See you there! Feel free to email me if you have any questions! [email protected] Allison

Ok what i'm saying you could go get on rhab and maybe they could help you... Maybe they would try and put you in school and then they pay for everything but your books....then you could get some student loan money and pay for your surgery that is what my sister did........ Maybe they would help pay for surgery. If you went to school you would decide what you wanted to do......Joni.

Comcast and discovery card are in Salt lake. So do you live down by Manti? Can you go to school? I'm sure you can get on rehab with your weight and you could say your depressed which I'm sure you are. I would start now. Also Advanta has a collection call center and they have excellent insurance. I'm not sure what to tell you but I would try rehab and get my student loans maybe have lap-band its the cheapest I think. But only you can decide what is best for you.

Yes i am there with you my husband is a truck driver we do not qualify for medicaid. if you in your research run across anything please let me know. I would have to be self pay. I qualify for the surgery i just am just trying to get the financing. Cara [email protected]

May I suggest finding a company that has insurance which will pay for it. that is what my Daughter did. She works for comcast. She hates her job but stays for the insurance. she is on a 6 month weight plan with a doctor so she can get approved for the surgery now. Also Discover card the company insurance will pay for it and i think they cover you after only 30days. These are both call center jobs. My sister went to Mexico for her Lap-band surgery. She went to school through rehab and got a student loan. that is my suggestions I hope it helps. Good luck Joni