jenslapband

Thanks so much Sunshine! Angyl, how are you feeling. I can't believe how much you have been through. At least through all my ups and downs my doctor has been awesome, available and one of the best in this type of surgery and practice. That I could always believe in. I can't imagine going through what you have and then realizing your doctor is icky! I hope you are doing better.

I have exciting news. Things went much better than I anticipated. I went to the hospital via the ER on Friday, was admitted but didn't have surgery until Saturday morning. I came home Sunday afternoon. I still have a lapband although it is a different "model" and a larger one. When Dr. Snyder got in there he couldn't believe it, my band had slipped again!! the same way it had when I had the emergency surgery in September. He repaired everything, took the old band out, put the new larger band in a different location and did some other stuff in there to make sure my stomach can't come through again. I had a lot of pain this time around compared to the other two surgeries but I was back at work by Wednesday. I am on liquids for two weeks and will see him Wednesday, the 25th. Physically I am still healing, just doing what I am supposed to and trying not to judge myself for having to rest sometimes. Mentally I have been depressed, feeling like all this time has passed and continues to pass without me really accomplishing anything. It's a weird place to be, I'm kind of disconnected and just going through the motions of day to day activities. I will write more later, I just wanted you all to know that I am okay and still have a band!!!

Lori, don't mess around with this. This was the symptom of a slipped band TWICE. Yes, I am one of the rarest of people who has had my band slip twice. You are either too full and need a slight unfill or your band may have slipped. It is important that you get this checked soon.

Thank you for all the support. Yes, I got pnemonia from aspirating at night with severe reflux. I have another update - I will have the band removed on Friday but there will be no conversion to gastric bypass (because of insurance.) I was so distraught, depressed, hopeless, scared yesterday I had to leave work. I couldn't stop crying - well, sobbing actually. I even, was suicidal for just a couple of moments. Don't worry, I got the help I needed and am doing much better now.

SElaine, my emergency surgery in September 07 was because my band had slipped. It is unknown why and it slipped in a way that my doctor had never seen before. I have to have it removed because I am full of ulcers in my pouch and no matter how much medicine I take we can't get rid of them and my esophagus is at risk of cancer, Barrett's disease, etc. Thank you so much for your support. I talked to the psychologist I go to once in awhile and he gave me some great feedback.

I can honestly say that reading your posts may have saved my life. I found out this morning that I have to have my band removed on Friday and my insurance will not pay for a conversion to gastric bypass. Since getting the news I have been severely depressed, hopeless and feel like a complete failure. I left work because I couldn't stop crying - well, sobbing really. I don't mean to scare anyone - I would have gotten help but I started thinking about suicide just for a second because I do not want to live as the huge person I was when I got my band. I am feeling better now and you have all given me a new outlook, perspective and I feel rather hopeful. I have also been sitting and journaling while being home from work. I haven't been able to eat well for months so I may go to WW to help me get into the swing or normal eating and portions for a person without a band. I also haven't been able to sleep laying down for several months (I sleep sitting straight up in a chair with one of those airplane pillows) so I think I will be able to think more clearly when the band is out and I can get some quality rest. My doctor, psychologist, nutritionist, etc. have all told me that this is NOT my fault, it is just a rare side effect but I am still feeling like a failure and am very scared. I am glad I read your posts, thank you for your positive outlooks. Jennifer

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in months and hadn't read many posts either. I have to have my band removed and it has been so depressing that I couldn't bear to come in here. I am having a rare side effect and have gone through several very uncomfortable tests to see if anything else could be done other than the removal of my band but it is the only option. At this point my doctor and his staff (they are SAINTS, Dr. Michael Snyder) have been dealing with my insurance company trying to get this surgery covered. My insurance has agreed to pay to have the band removed but won't pay for my doctor to convert me to gastric bypass, even though he will already be in there. Anyway, I sleep in a complete upright position at night with one of those airplane pillows. I am so sleep deprived it is scary...but I can't lay down. I got aspiration pnemonia a couple of months ago and I have numerous ulcers inside my pouch - they are saying stage 4 ulcers - which isn't good. I am so glad you are all doing well and are so supportive of each other. I will miss you since it will be best for me to go to a bypass website. I will check back as you all reach your goals and I thank you for all of your support.

Sula, Based on the class last night that I attended with my doctor's dietician/personal trainer we should NOT go under 1200 calories unless it is occasionally. She says it is more about tweaking what we eat - making it quality food, upping the type, intensity, amount of time and frequency of our exercise and getting our water. She said if we decrease our calories too much our bodies will shut down just like a fire with too little fuel. She also said it is very important to eat several times a day. She also says that after a large weight loss the body has to adjust and that is a time when we are to just be patient and focus on keeping it off - not additional loss. This all helped me to hear, maybe it will help you a little?

Hi everyone. I still haven't lost a single oz. I am getting a tiny unfill today so that might help. I have started a food journal and am writing down every morsel even if it isn't a good or correct choice. So far I am eating exactly the amount to maintain my weight BUT with my exercise it should be ideal to lose slowly. If I still don't lose, I will eat 200 calories per day less and see if that helps and just continue to try that. I'm not very motivated and very discouraged but not depressed like I was a couple of weeks ago. The food journal shows me that I certainly have room for improvement. Sunshine, Juno, Debbie, Mommi, 5jacks - you are my inspiration and it makes such a difference in my life to read about your victories, struggles, thoughts and dreams - thank you.

I am so mad! I haven't missed a day of exercise (I'm in the fitness challenge) and when I weighed this week I had gained two pounds. You would have thought it was 20 by the way my mood was affected, but still...why would I gain? So now I have gained a total of 13 since getting out of the hospital from my second surgery in September. I worked out even harder last night but I can't sleep because I don't understand what is going on. (It isn't my TOM, I don't have one.) Why has this become so difficult now?

I rode my bike 5-miles today just because I wanted to. WOW! I wish it didn't hurt my butt/front area so much. I even have a really nice seat. Maybe as I get smaller it will help. Owieeeeeeeeee!

I was a self-pay, too and also had to pay the majority of my emergency surgery after my band slipped in September but ironically, my insurance company pays for my fills. My insurance carrier is UHC. They are so wierd!!

Loser - I think that is a great plan. Wow, 12-hour shifts, just think how much easier those will be after you have exercised 3x a week for awhile! Sunshine - how is the knee? You were an exercise inspiration before you hurt your knee and now when I think I hurt when exercising I think of you and your knee and how hard you are probably working!!

That is great Maria! Congratulations! Cindi, you look beautiful and years younger!! Baby, sorry about the family problems, I will be careful about my posts. I am doing really well...FINALLY.

Yay, us!!! I haven't missed a day. I am doing resistance 3x/week and trying to do cardio 5x/week for 20 minutes right now but I want to get up to an hour. I can't do an hour straight but maybe 2x30 per day. I can already tell in my pant legs, pretty amazing

Cindi - I'm so sorry about your son. I'm glad he is home and doing as well as can be expected. Angyl - you look great and are such an inspiration! Sunshine and Sula - I was able to access all the links Sunshine had posted if that helps at all. I have a friend who, as a 9-yr veteran of the police department accidently shot himself while unloading his gun at the police shooting range. The bullet went through his hand and shattered his femur. He was told he wouldn't walk, wouldn't return to work, blah, blah. It was a long, very painful recovery but he walks, runs, started tap-dancing, went back to work in the same capacity and is a true success. That all happened about 6-yrs ago. After getting a fill on Thursday I then got a tiny unfill yesterday. I was choking when I layed down at night to go to sleep. The pouch just wasn't emptying even after several hours. ***I FINALLY HAVE RESTRICTION*** This was my third fill after the emergency surgery and I am thrilled to finally have restriction. The scale just kept sneaking up during this whole process and I was losing my mind! But now, I can measure exactly 1/2 C. of food and I am full! Yay! :whoo:

I took my measurements and actually I started last Tuesday, on the 1st. I am so motivated!

Lisa you are doing GREAT! Congratulations! Thanks Sunshine - I did all my measurements last night for the fitness challenge, made a new little journal thing to keep track of my goals and progress. I feel better today than I have in a long time...just from coming on here, reading the info I have at home, journaling, more positive self-talk, etc. Sula, yes I will be able to walk with Sasha, it is too slick out right now and dark before and after work. I look forward to taking her on bike rides too. She is yellow lab/golden retriever mix and will be a great buddy for me. I take her to a park on the weekends and we walk, play, etc. It is great. She is a sweet girl. She has been through one 8-week obediance class and after she is spayed in February I will take her through another one. I want to finally have a dog that is good around all situations. Have a great day everyone!

Okay, I want to do this. It seems a little overwhelming and I don't know that I have the right equipment for the resistance training but I'm going to check around the house. I'll do my measurements too. Good idea Sunshine - this will be fun to do this with all of you! Jennifer

I have been so scared to weigh myself since having to kind of start over with my fills. I am now up 11 pounds from my lowest after leaving the hospital Sept 8th. That is discouraging...okay actually I freaked out. I obviously need another (it will be my third since the emergency surgery) fill. I can eat anything and too much of it. I guess it doesn't make sense to punish myself for not being able to control myself - that is the whole reason we have to have this surgery. If it was just about control it would be a whole different ball game!! The other thing I have had to come to terms with is a new puppy. My honey and I already had two adult dogs and then in a moment of INSANITY, my honey brought home a puppy. It has been very difficult. What I mean is, I was just learning how to make myself, my exercise, ME! a priority and when you have a puppy, they are the priority. I have been so depressed because I couldn't exercise or get my alone time or all my sleep. The puppy, Sasha, is now 4 1/2 months so I can finally do what I need to for me. I was very resentful for awhile and actually asked my honey if maybe it was an indirect way of sabotaging my success. I will love having the puppy when it is warmer out and not snowy and icy because she will be able to exercise with me and I can take her everywhere with me and won't be scared to be by myself (long story.) The two dogs I had already aren't very fun to take anywhere and aren't very sociable. So, my plan is: 1. Make an appointment for another fill immediately. 2. Eat more often, the right stuff, so I can't fit the wrong food choices in. 3. More Water. 4. More exercise - nothing really specific, just more. 5. Less treats. I was on soft food for so long after the 2nd surgery I really developed some bad habits. I hope I can do this. I don't want to be the only one who gains their weight back with the band. I think I would die. I'm so afraid things are just too goofed up but I believe in you guys and you have rough times and have gained, then lost the weight so I must be okay. I'll just keep reminding myself of that...I must be okay.

Sula, Sunshine, Cindi and Baby - thanks for the kind words. I do still have my band - I must not have explained myself very well. When they did the emergency surgery they removed the band, got everything back to where it was supposed to be, then put the band back on and added the drain. So I am very thankful for that! That would have been awful...to go through all of that, plus have the medical bills and wake up with no band. Oh my gosh, that would have been devastating. I am very thankful for my band and still wouldn't change a thing about my decision. I've had two fills since September and think I need another small one so I will go back in after the 1st. Through all of this I have gained about 9 pounds and that amazes me, I could have gained so much more - believe me I haven't been careful at all about what I consume. We don't know what caused it initially. The way it slipped was really unusual and the intestine had been prolapsed through the band for quite awhile and was starting to kind of "die." It was just one of those things. I was very impressed with my doctor. He was right there for me - no ifs, ands or buts. I will be taking an 8-week behavior mod class starting the second Wednesday of January. I think it will really help me get me focus back. I will let everybody know what kinds of things we talk about. I went to an overview class last Monday. It was for patients 6-months+ from their surgery. It was really interesting. They talked about how we can "tweek" our nutrients and workouts now that we basically know how to live with our surgery. You guys, and all the people who post and share their struggles, losses, sadness and victories:clap2: are so amazing - thank you. Jennifer

Below is my post after my emergency surgery in September - just so it is on this thread too in case anyone didn't see what happened or wants to know more about a slipped band. BTW - because I was a self-pay for my initial surgery, therefore only $40,000 of the total $72,000 emergency surgery bill was paid for. I am responsible for the rest - all $32,000+. I am very lucky that my doctor, the anesthesiologist and the hospital are working with me and taking payments or reducing their bills. This was from September 2007 Hi everyone, I had the weekend from HELL!!!! On Thursday and Friday I vomited everytime I ate. I left work early on Friday and while sitting in the parking lot of the ER I paged my Dr. He met me inside to do an upper GI. Nothing would pass. I ended up having emergency surgery Friday night. My band has slipped and my stomach had come up through the band. I had this huge tube down my nose and had to have an upper GI twice a day until the liquid would pass. When it wouldn't the liquid would be sucked out through the tube. I've had a drain in my stomach until today. It was so scary and painful. I have to be on Clear liquids for three weeks. I don't know what will happen after that. So, basically I had the entire surgery a second time this past weekend. I had to pay for the original surgery and will probably get the bill for this one too. Oh my God, I hope I don't lose my house over all this. I am feeling so selfish suddenly - and very scared. The doctor said he has NEVER seen what had happened to me and he has done thousands of these surgeries. I will write more later - love to you all, please say a prayer for me, I have never been so scared in my whole life.

I am so emotional reading all of your posts. You know my band slipped and I had emergency surgery in September. It was horrible. I have since been in a fog and as I come out of it I feel very alone and isolated. I haven't come in here to read posts for months because I felt like I had failed somehow. Well, I just got caught up on all of your posts, struggles, challenges and I feel so much better. I can't begin to tell you. Yes, some of you have lost more and some of you have lost the same or less. But most importantly, we are on this journey together and I can succeed, even with this complication. I have been so very depressed. Thank you all for your honesty. I have a renewed hope that I can do this, succeed and all is well. Jennifer

Susan, my band slipped, please see my earlier posts!!! Don't mess around with your body/band/success if you think it has slipped.

Remember everyone, if you don't eat enough, you will not lose weight. Our bodies are just like a wood burning stove. If you don't put wood in, it won't get hot and heat anything. If you put wood in several times over the course of the day, it stays hot and consistent. If you put a ton of wood in all at once it burns really hot and then dies out. Try to eat 5-7 small meals all day and always have something at breakfast to start your metabolism. You haven't eaten all night because you were sleeping and you have to "get things burning!" It isn't about being hungry, it is about metabolism. For us, just 1/2 C. every few hours or a protein drink that is low is fat and sugars will do the trick. Hugs to all, Jennifer