Husband And Wife, Both Considering.

[dustyc 0]

My wife and I have both been overweight for most of our adult lives. I'm type 2 diabetic, though it's controlled with diet. At diagnosis I was 365lbs with an A1C of 17. I kinda half assed for a year or and finally got serious a month ago. Current A1C is 9.4 and current average glucose reading for the last month (when I got serious) is 110 according to my meter. So I'm well on the way to the 5% club where I need to be by continuing on what I'm doing. I'm still about 70lbs (311-312) over weight according to my doctor and ~115 lbs over weight according to the nifty little chart my insurance company uses. They will pay for the surgery for both my wife and I, with a total out of pocket cost of 100 each.

She is also in the same boat, about 75 lbs overweight according to the doc, and a bit over 100 according to the chart.

We've both been victims of ourselves and weak diet willpower and yoyo'd up and down several times. I'm currently on a very good run of weight loss but it isn't the first time, and now that I can get surgery for next to nothing, I'm more open to it than I was when I'd be paying out of pocket.

One of my wife's coworkers has had lapband and is very happy with her ongoing results. They however, are rather sedentary as they are 911 dispatchers and rarely get out of their chairs. I'm the total opposite, my primary job is as a firefighter/emt. I also drive a truck on my days off. My job as a firefighter, as you can imagine,is physically strenuous. Mostly short term, high strength activities. I can typically handle it without much of an issue, but after a bit, I'm just smoked. My concern is being unable to perform after surgery. I need the ability to go all out for a half hour. I can go light duty for a few weeks without issue, but I will need to have the ability back relatively soon. Is this going to be an issue?

Also, what about staying hydrated? Is it difficult

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

How fast you'll recover from surgery will depend on a number of things, but if you're accustomed to a lot of physical activity in your job, I would think you'd spring back fairly fast. Recovery time is generally 1-2 weeks for people who have a sedentary job and/or lifestyle. A bigger concern is that in order to allow your body to heal, especially your port site, you're going to have to be very careful for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Low-level, steady activity like walking isn't a problem, but sporadic, short-term, high-strength activities could be a problem. Just because you feel OK doing them doesn't mean you should be doing them, you know?

I had my port repositioned 2 years ago. I was lighter, healthier, and a LOT more physically active than I'd been before my original band surgery, so I assumed I'd bounce right back. I was wrong. The trauma to my port site and the sutures stitched in to my abdominal fascia made it extremely difficult to do even light-duty stuff. So I think you're going to have to talk with a bariatric surgeon about what to expect for your own recovery and return to work.

Good luck!

[Cindysmom (Ilene) 130]

This is so great for you both to do. And for such a low amount out of pocket. For the amount of weight you both need to lose. I think lapband is perfect. If you were in my living room right now I would tell youi to go for it. Regarding you not recovering fast enough (those are my words not yours) I would not worry. Since you have been working I do not think it will be a problem./ i will talk about me right now. I was 62 yes old. I was not working at the time. But we were walking 1.5 miles am and pm. daily.

After the surgery, during the evening I was walking again. A little slow cause I was nervous. But It was in my head. (((did the font just change)) ??? Any how. I didnt have to take all the pain pills. I went and broke them in half. I was very concerned about getting constipated from too many pain pills. (((and you should also)))) I took them at night to help me sleep cause I sleep like crap. I had a little discomfort by the slits. there will be 5. My doc used glue to close them up. And at times it pinched when I moved. But I was able to get around really well.. This is not Gartic bypass, it is really not a big surgery. i would not worry about this. And I would not let this hinder me from ding what I needed for my future. I wish both of you lots of luck. Please if you woudl like to ask me anything. You can also find me at lizybird@aol.com. Ilene

[phatkatblue 45]

my hubby and i did this together and it has been the greatest thing:) good luck to you...

[silvers320 12]

Well - congrats to the both of you for considering making this huge life change!

To answer your questions -

1. I think after my lapband, I was out of my desk job for a few days but bending was really rough - so I would think you should plan on being out (or on the desk for 3- 4 weeks for full healing)

2. Hydration - in the 4 years or so that I have been banded - I was de-hydrated twice. Once I didnt know what it was - and passed out. And once I saw the warning signs - but since these days I have not had any issues.

Last week - I met with my health specialist, who told me that when he met me 10 years ago- I was dieing very quickly. Now I have turned my life around - it really hit me! So good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

[Lluna 14]

My husband and I did this together, both self pay, best investment ever !!!

[dustyc 0]

One thing I should have added is that since we decided to do this together, I'm not doing it if she can't get it done as well. Our PCP has stated before that I'm a shoe in due to my hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Our insurance policy states that no weight loss surgeries are covered, but they then turn around and approve them. Once we pick a doctor, well knew more.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

One thing I should have added is that since we decided to do this together, I'm not doing it if she can't get it done as well. Our PCP has stated before that I'm a shoe in due to my hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Our insurance policy states that no weight loss surgeries are covered, but they then turn around and approve them. Once we pick a doctor, well knew more.

It's a very personal decision, but I'm a bit surprised that you won't go ahead with the surgery if your wife doesn't also qualify. If I were your wife, I'd want you to do anything possible to improve your health, even if it meant my own weight issues weren't being immediately addressed. But hopefully you'll both get approved and make the journey together.

[dustyc 0]

It's a very personal decision' date=' but I'm a bit surprised that you won't go ahead with the surgery if your wife doesn't also qualify. If I were your wife, I'd want you to do anything possible to improve your health, even if it meant my own weight issues weren't being immediately addressed. But hopefully you'll both get approved and make the journey together.[/quote']

I hope we both do as well, but this was all her idea and I wouldn't want to be the only one to benefit from it, especially since I'm dropping weight now like I never have before.

[silvers320 12]

I hope we both do as well' date=' but this was all her idea and I wouldn't want to be the only one to benefit from it, especially since I'm dropping weight now like I never have before.[/quote']

I have mixed feels on this.

I went thru the banding process alone - and it was a lt easier to eat the right foods - in the right way. So in that regard, I think if both people in the house have to follow the same rules - it just makes life easier.

But not wanting to do it if you wife can't because it was her idea worries me. Yes it was her idea but it's you life, health and lifestyle that will have to change.

[Jim1967 3,569]

I hope we both do as well, but this was all her idea and I wouldn't want to be the only one to benefit from it, especially since I'm dropping weight now like I never have before.

I suggest you think long and hard before saying no. Approval is one big pain in the a$$ and so if it were me if only one gets approved...go through with it and then that way it's one less battle to fight. You can continue on working toward getting the second approval. Also the one who goes through it first can provide experiences for the one in waiting.

I have a rather sedentary job. I am a software engineer and bang on a keyboard all day. I am 7 days post op and I am fairly confident I could have returned to work three or four days after surgery but I took a week and half off for recovery and follow up visit. Pain was minimal for me and the worse part was the gas cramps. If you see my stats below you can see I am no small guy either.

Good Luck to you both....