I have been over weight since I was in college. I never really noticed it until I had to shop in one of those clothing stores. I always thought that I was "in the normal range." I have always been on some sort of diet See What Tracy Has To Say!

I lost 203 pounds with lap band. I choose Monterrey because it as the safest city... Dr Zapata is soft spoken but cares about his patient very much. The hospital was clean and the environment safe... I returned to Monterrey for reconstructive surgery too...

I FULLY trust Dr. Zapata. He is honestly better than some of the surgeon's in the USA. He is knowledgeable in his field of Beriatrics and sticks only to what he knows. He speaks English 100% and has had some experience in the USA. I have to admit I was scared to go to Mexico because of all of the rumors I have heard about medical care there. Let me put those rumors to rest. The Hospital where Dr. Zapata performed my lapband placement was nicer than the hospital I am working at now!I have also attached a current photo of me at 139 pounds, size`4! My mother is on the right and I am on the left. Good luck!
Theresa Cornell RN, BSN - read more

 

This is Ferd Gavina and things have been doing great. I weigh myself every Saturday so today I immediately took a picture of me for 3 months since the operation. Today I weighed in at exactly 249 pounds. I feel really good and no longer have the back problem I used to have. My highest weight was 301.6 pounds so I have come a long way. I have lost weight consistently every week since the operation. I have averaged anywhere from 1-4 pounds lost every week.
Thank you once again for all you have done.
God bless you all.
Ferdinand Gavina (Ferd)

 

I started this journey in Feb 2008 when my sister approached me about looking into lap band surgery in Mexico with Dr. Zapata..she knew someone who had the surgery and spoke very highly of their experience in Monterrey. I contacted Judy and the process began.
For the 10-12 years before 2008 I had put on a lot of weight…my own illness (breast cancer)loss of both of my parents and much stress helped me pack on about 60 pounds….I was then diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was having trouble stabilizing my blood sugar...
Lois Fox - Read Full Testimonial

 

My name is Mary Lichtenwalter. I am 30 years old. I had been overweight pretty much my entire life. I am 5’8 and at my heaviest I was 280 lbs. But my story begins in about the 5th grade.
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Hello!  My name is Carol Shafer, and I am a survivor. No, not the kind on the reality TV program…I am an obesity survivor! I have been saved from the life my ancestral genetics and my eating habits had in store for my body and my life!

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Welcome to Ready 4A Change, I am Judy and I have been banded since 3/17/00. I have always had food and weight issues, but I was able to control them, some of the time, although I did fluctuate wildly even as a teenager from a size 16 to size 8.

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My struggle with OBESITY began after the birth of my first child. After lap band surgery my weight remains stable between 145-150 pounds. I do try to stay mindful of where I have been and I never want to revisit that dreadful place again. I continue to make wise and judicious food choices, never taking my miracle for granted. For me, the lap band was my ticket back to a normal life.

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I started at a whopping 268 lbs in 2006.I was only 38 years old.  I was on medication for diabetes as well as using a c-pap at night because my weight was restricting my airflow as I slept. I knew that after years of failed diets and weight gains and loses that I really needed something that would help me overcome my emotional eating problem.

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My name is Don Adams. I have been a large person my entire life. I can remember being a fat little kid. I was always self conscious of it. As I got older I guess my parents noticed it was becoming a problem and started trying to get me on diets. I remember diets from as early as age 10.

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Hola from the great State of Texas and the best Mexican food in the country!  Yep.  My biggest downfall.  I've been heavy just about my whole life.  Was always the fat kid in school.  Tried to fit in, but it never quite worked.  Didn't help that I was kinda smart, too.  My smallest size from high school on was a 16, and that was sucking it in.

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I was becoming very short of breath and was tired all the time.  Finding attractive clothes that fit properly was becoming a major issue.  My career as a teacher of young people demands that I look nice, have lots of energy and be a good role model.   Weight Watchers and other diet programs did not give me any sustained relief...

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My troubles began in 1985 when my mother had a catastrophic stroke. My children were two and five at the time. My husband was wonderful however I was the only child who lived in the same state. My father fell apart mentally and physically. I was working full time, and trying to maintain two homes an hour apart from each other. This went on for two years. My mom passed away, dad needed bypass surgery and I was constantly gaining weight trying to keep it together...Continue Reading
Debra

 

Isiss Testimonial is coming soon!

 

 

I never really had a weight problem when I was younger, I even remember being called "tooth pick"boy, wouldn't that be nice now. When I was graduating from high school I remember weighing 150 and thought that was too heavy, that's when the dieting began.

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I was a failure.  Forget it.  I will have to live with my fat forever.  At 379.9 pounds,  I was having joint pain like crazy.  My feet were hurting so bad after working that I couldn't even get to the bathroom from the bedroom without pain.  I couldn't breathe.  I was a goner if I didn't do something.  This is when I decided on weight loss surgery.  I checked in to the lap band and now my life has started again.

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I'm Lillie. I had my surgery in June of 2006. 1 was 230lbs. Now I'm 150 lbs. Dr. Zapata is great. He takes care of his patients, giving them personal attention himself. The hospital was so clean and nice. I have not seen one in the United States that clean and nice. Till date, I have not had no trouble with my band. I lost 80lbs and feel great. It's a new life. I would tell all to have the surgery. You will like you self for it and you are back to work in just a week.

Meshawn Testimonial is coming soon!

 

First of all THANK YOU both for all your help. You have changed my life on so many levels. I could never repay you enough for the new style of life you have given me. The first picture was of course at the hospital the day after being banded. (5-22-10..325lbs) The second was in December, 2010. In that picture I don't remember exactly how much weight I had lost but it must have been at least 50. The third picture was on May 1, 2010. In this picture I have lost 102lbs. I have another 75lbs to lose but oh my goodness it is such a nice feeling to be able to purchase cloths in the regular sizes. When I started this journey I was at a size 32 pants I am now at a size 18. I LOVE IT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU oh by the way did I say THANK YOU.

PS: I have impacted one of my co-workers so much that she will be banded next week.

 

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Hi there, my name is Rachel and I am an RN from Oregon. I had lap band 2 yrs ago last week along with my mother and 75 yr old grandmother. I have lost over 60 lbs and feel great. I have a 6month baby girl now which at the weight I was at would not have happened. My mom Kriste has lost over 50lbs and my grandma 30. We all feel so much better but have had a couple of small bumps in the road, like being filled to tight and chronic heartburn. We worked with Dr Zapada. Thank You for everything, write anytime.

 

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My mother and I were banded by Dr Zapata September 2009. We have had GREAT success.

My mother has lost 80+ pounds and has not had a need for her insulin or blood pressure medicine. The last time she took insulin was the pm before surgery. I am a very firm believer that the lap band has saved my mother's life. I was a size 14, have lost 47 pounds and I wear a size 4-6 now.

My next goal is to have some work done with Dr Cardenas. Everything sags when you loose this much weight.

 

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Goodmorning! I would be most honored to let anyone know about my experience in Monterrey last year. It won't be a year until June. But I have no issues with telling anyone how I feel. I am now 70 lbs. down and feeling great! Although it has not been easy and the band has only been 50% of it. I've worked my butt off with exercise and diet. While yet I have a long way to go and it will only take time I look forward to the journey. It has been a day by day and step by step process. I will get some pictures of myself together and send them to you. My information has not changed and I look forward to hearing from anyone who wants to know what my experience has been like. Looking forward to hearing from you guys soon. Have an awsome day!
Katina

 

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I am very happy with my choice to go to Mexico, and with the follow up help I have received from Judy in helping me find a place for my fills. While I am not were I wanted to be, I am continuing to loss weight in a HEALTHY way, and getting to enjoy my child like I never got to before. I had some problems getting fills initially and finally called Judy who instantly found me names and I had a fill within a week, so if I had gotten with her earlier I would be much further along, but I am so pleased with were I am and were I am going. I would love to tell others about the joy I have gotten from my surgery and it is a choice I would make again if I had too. I have never regretted my choice to go to Mexico, or to have my lap band placed. I am so thankful for the person who shared her experience with me that lead me on my road to change, and I would be more than happy to help another person, with things I have learned and to help with any fears or questions they may have. I am so thankful to Dr. Zapata anything I could do to show him and Judy my thanks I will do!!
Melissa

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Just a quick note to thank you all for my wonderful surgical experience last summer! As a Registered Nurse in California I was very thorough when researching my Lap Band procedure. I checked all the accreditation sites as well as the hospitals standing and was pleased to find everything and everyone in good standing. This encouraging information, however; did not do your team, the hospital, or the whole experience justice! I did not expect the exteme level of professionalism, knowledge, and organization that was shown to me before, during and after my surgery. From the airport transfers to the support class through the operating room experience I was very well cared for. Your team is a well oiled machine! Everyone on your staff has this wonderful confidence that really put me at ease.

My situation was different than some in that my was 33--I did not weigh enough to qualify for the lap band in California but I was still pre-diabetic, 50 pounds heavier than 20 years ago, and dealing with back pain almost daily. As of today I have lost 25 pounds which may not seem like a lot in eight months but I am a new person! I can take 5 flights of stairs at work without breathing heavy and I have endurance through my 10 hours shifts that I haven't felt in 20 years. I eat slowly, consuming 1/2 the food I used to and it is almost effort less. I just look and feel so much better. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Zapata and his team for bariatric surgery to friends and family--and in fact I already have!

THANK YOU!
Christine From Sacramento, California

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My experience in Monterrey was one of the best in my life. I was a little scared not knowing what to expect when we flew in but I must say that was a feeling I did not need to have.

I was met at the airport by the ready4change person and he took us to the Hotel which was very very nice and then we had a meeting with Alma who consulted with me on all that was to take place. The next morning our driver took us to the Hospital and I had the surgery. Every thing was very good. My stay was excellent and my care even better.

I would go again for anything I need done. I would be glad to be contacted about my experience any time. You can give out my email to whom ever would like to contact me.

I have lost 60 pounds. I have been at this lose for over two years. I do want to loose more but I know its my eating habits that keep me where I am. This summer I plan to start a walking program and weight program to try to loose 20 more pounds. I know I can if I stay focused.