stevegoad

Well, I've had two umbilical hernia surgeries this year...one emergency (with a removal of about 6 inches of intestine and bowel resection), and on non-emergency, but major 3" open incision, to finish what was not finalized with the first - Even though my surgeon who fixed the hernina no longer performs lapband, and he was very certain that my hernia was a complecation of the original 2008 lap band (making me a not-so-happy lapband recepiant), he did not request, or even hint at the need of an unfill prior to either surgery. There were no problems. So I am not sure of the reason for an unfill.

I'll have to admit... I'm pretty good at deciphering theological and philosophical messages... but this one goes outsider my realm of understanding.

Well, I've been on half-a-dozen cruises since my band... my first was about 9 months after banding. Don't do anything outside of your normal plans. If you're due for a fill, get a fill. The thing is, the average person gains about a pound a day on a cruise. Most cruises, I maintain pretty well... but it's not so much the band (though it stops me from eating as much at meals), as it is making wise choices. There is ice cream available 24/7... there are bars serving drinks almost 24/7. There are midnight chocolate buffets. There are restaurants and buffets willing to serve almost all day and night. You can get room service pretty much 24/7. In other words, it's not the three meals that get you... it's the dozen between meal meals that do it. Just make yourself eat on the cruise like you would at home. Use common sense. At the restaurant, order an appetizer as a meal. AND WATCH THE CHOCOLATE MELTING CAKE... it's wonderful, gooey, warm, with ice cream on the side, and has three days worth of calories in one small dessert that works very well with a band. Go, enjoy the cruise... have a ball... but keep your head about you when you eat and drink, and you'll be fine.

A stretched pouch can go back... But it does take starting over... a few days on liquids, a few days soft, and then back to full diet. No carbonation, watch the starches... And it might help to use the gasX to keep the gas from helping stretch. It'll take a couple of weeks, but it'll work.

No doubt, the band will not do it for you. It only helps. You still have to watch your intake, your calories, how and what you eat. You still have to exercise. That's the problem. In the end, if you succeed, it's not the band... it's you. And if you fail, it's not the band, it's you. That's the harsh reality of it. The good news is that you can do it. You can make it work. Just go back to the basics, and keep working the plan.

When you walk, stand extremely straight... straighter than you think feels at all normal. It helps things settle. But the main thing is to know that it will pass.

I was doing Water aerobics for a couple of years before surgery, and kept them up for about a year afterwards. To be honest, while I have quit (trying to get to the pool at 7:00 a.m. was too much for me), I have often regretted it. I don't know how much it helped me in losing the weight, but it was fantastic for toning me up. I haven't gained since quitting, but I have definitely gotten looser. So yeah, definitely get into a water aerobics class... It is the best thing for your joints and muscles as low-impact goes.

The band is only a tool. It's still up to you to use it right. Remember the basics. Hi Protein, eat slowly... stop eating when full... and then don't go back. Don't drink while eating. Keep the fried food down. Not only are they high calories, but they can slip through the band easier, allowing you to eat more. No sodas. Ice Cream is a no-no... The band might like it, but the calories don't. Same with alcohol... Drinking won't hurt the band, but it's high calorie. Like I said... Go back to the basics,and hang in there.

I wasn't in True Results in Richardson. But while the company may be knowledgeable about how to present your surgery to the insurance company, it's still up to the insurance company. The doctor or company doing the surgery plays a small part. Still, the pluses of going through true results... they do know how to write, and since weight loss surgery is their whole business, they are likely to work hard if rejected to help you get a second, or even third hearing. The negative is that the insurance company knows that certain doctors, and companies like True Results, specialize in weightloss surgery. So they might be less likely to read the emergency need for the surgery no matter how they word it... In other words, True Results might work harder, but they would be less likely to put a smoke screen than an independent doctor. Like I said, those are not my experience. I am just giving thoughts based on logic and in talking to others. Some here might have some circumstantial evidence differently, and I certainly don't claim to be the voice of experience. But that is the thought of one who took the fast track into surgery by going around insurance and working private pay...

I hate to say it, but it could last longer... Literally, my wife will tell you that this past 4 years, my breath has been much worse... my dentist says there is nothing dental involved, and it's all gastric. And it all started with my lapband. I know most don't have such things... but it does happen.

I have to agree that your weight is not the big issue, though I can sympathize as to how weight can affect the relationship. Certainly, my wife telling me she wanted many years with me, and wanted us to travel together... but she never wanted to get on an airplane with me again was a big reason for me to decide on surgery... but at no time would we even consider divorce. If he is not willing to wait on you to have surgery, or support you during surgery, then I can promise you... he will not hang around with you fat or thin. That's not a nice thought, but I speak from experience with having counseling with couples going through hard times (I don't talk about this part of my life in groups like this, but I am a former United Methodist pastor that has dealt with people blaming all sorts of external events on the reason they want to get out of marriage... or worse, blame their spouse for an affair.) I can't say why your husband is consider giving up a marriage of 17 years, but I can guess... a real option is that he really doesn't want you to lose weight... because as long as he has you fat, he's got control over you. He says you losing weight would be too slow, and he belittles you for being too fat, but really all of that is control... and if you lose the weight, he might lose that control.... and if that is the case, he'll get out and find someone else to control... and will blame you. But like I said, that's a guess... At this point, I can only pray blessings over you, your husband, and in your relationship... and blessings on you as you struggle with the marriage and your weight loss. Shalom.

I always just say things about "restricting my intake." Complete honesty.... I don't need to tell how my intake is "restricted."

Would I do it again? Not likely. I would have worked harder to lose naturally - I know, a lot of people say "if I could, I would - and I totally understand it. I might would have said the same thing. But the fact that a band which makes eating uncomfortable worked to make me lose proves that there was some real control issues. And, had I known the pain of surgery, the discomfort during eating, the throwing up, and the damage to my teeth from PB'ing, my now chronic back breath, and most recently, the hernia repair that changed my 12,000 to more like 50K in medical expense, I believe that would have been a great enough incentive. Just being honest.

I hope all goes well for you. It might take a week or so to get feeling better, but it will happen.