swisschick

Hi there, My doctor was in Lausanne and my surgery was in Monthey although he operates in Lausanne too. The Doctor was Dr. Giusti (CHUV), and the surgeon Dr. Suter. Both are fabulous. I had to go through a long process of classes, pyschological evaluation etc beforehand but it is SO worth it and then after all that the insurance paid. I too went in thinking I wanted gastric band but I soon changed my mind and had bypass surgery and in Switzerland you will find that most people have bypass - the results are WAY better than with the band. It does depend how overweight you are - I have lost 50 kilos and although I am still relatively 'heavy' I am slim and wear tiny sizes - I guess i really did have big bones and heavy muscles!

I have since paid for a total body lift and a boob lift which I had done in the US - very expensive but so worth it. My stomach is like a washboard and I don't need to wear a bra anymore (miraculous).

As for going well - I can honestly say it really has been life changing - I ran a half marathon last october, I just bought evening dresses in Prada and Hermes, and not even in their biggest sizes. I wouldn't have even dared enter before. I have masses of male attention (although I do often think it is sad that not one of my admirers would have looked at me before probably), and I am a nicer, happier, more confident person. No regrets whatsoever. I have put on a couple of kilos since the marathon and I eat totally normally now. Noone ever knows or guesses that I have had surgery either from my eating habits or my looks.

If you really do have an excessive amount of weight to lose - go for it. But be patient, the process is long and slow and it is best done that way. I hear too many horror stories from the US where patients rush into it and regret it or have problems etc... You have to be ready physically, emotionally and pyschologically.

Good luck and take care, Carla

Hi Carla

I have just found your postings on this site and I hope you don't mind me asking you a couple of questions. I too live in Switzerland (not far from Geneva) and I am very depressed about my weight, so I'm thinking about gastric band surgery or something, as nothing seems to work for me and the more depressed i get, the worse i probably eat.

Can you tell me where you had your surgery, or do you know a doctor nearer Geneva (I see you are in Verbier)? Did you have Gastric band (or lap band) surgery? Did you have it done on your medical insurance, or did you have to pay it? Do you mind me asking how much it cost you?

Your posts are about a year or two old, so is it still going well for you? I feel so low about this I don't know what else to do, and I feel desperate to do something to feel attractive again.

Thanks in advance for your help.