I will be gone for a while

[SPEBSQSAlady 0]

Last Friday I got food stuck. I was out of town and progressively got sicker and sicker, vomiting almost nonstop by the drive home Sunday. Sunday night I called the Dr. and he said to come in first thing Monday morning. I had vomited the large part of the stomach up through the band and was in effect, reversing my stomach inside itself. He did emergency surgery Monday and removed the band :bolt:. I go into his office tomorrow to have the drain bag removed and he said it would be a minimum of 6 months before I can have the band replaced. That means insurance approval and all that stuff again. Oh Boy! I was so happy with the band and it was truly helping me lose weight and get more healthy. I am going to try my hardest to maintain my weight loss and reband in 6 months. It is not something that I would not consider. I feel the band is the most helpful tool I have every had the opportunity to have. I don't know the reason for this outcome, but hey, :eek: SH** :eek: happens, and it usually happens to me. I know I can be strong :thumbs_up:and with God's help overcome this and carry on.

Thank you to everyone out there for the great support we all receive on this website. It sure helped me make the decision to have the original surgery and I know you will all be there to help me out when I am ready to go again.

Thanks

[salsa1877 10]

I am so sorry to hear this happened to you. But seeing how well you have done, it appears that you have learned good new habits and will be able to carry them throughout your tough time without the band. Keep your chin up and know that you can post here even if you don't have your band. In fact now would be the time to stay connected even more so that we can help you through the rough times.

[MerryHearted 20]

Oh, man, I'm so sorry. That's awful!

I second the thought that you should stick around -- maybe hop into a couple of the challenges like food tracking and exercise. Your BMI is still high enough to get insurance approval, according to your ticker, so the more you can do to not regain during this 6 months, the happier you will be to not have to re-lose the weight you already worked so hard to get off.

I regained 20 lbs last year and have lost 16 of it now. I'm still kicking myself for allowing that weight to creep on!! If I had even held steady instead of gaining during that 9 month stall, the 16 lbs I just lost would have put me under 200 lbs and I'd be comfortably wearing a size 16 this spring. :bolt: Oh well, looking forward, marching onward!

[shortgal 5]

I hope everything works out for you. I'm sure waiting the six months will be difficult but many people have to do a six month diet before getting ins approval, so maybe you can tell yourself that's what your doing, to help you get through it all and not gain.

[LadyBugRed 2]

Good luck SPEBSQSlady!!

It happened to one of my best friends. She is maintaining her weight until she can have the band put back in. We wish you all the best!!!

[Frangipani 1]

SPEBSQSAlady, I'm so sorry to hear about this and I hope you are recovering comfortably from your surgery. Ditto to everything Salsa said -- and we are definitely right here if you need us.

Crazy Ates April Exercise Challenge

3/30 Exercise Sessions

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

[Candle 11]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

I agree that you should stick around - it will help keep you motivated. Stick to all the rules so you don't have to re-learn them.

Good luck

[SPEBSQSAlady 0]

Thank you to everyone. I am sure I will visit here often. I received an e-mail from Jack and he is correct.

Shortgal: I also had to do the 6 month pre-diet, so I KNOW I can do it, I just had not thought of it that way. Thank you for opening my eyes !!

Well, folks, I am off to the Dr. to see if he can remove the drain this morning. I will post back after that visit.

[pizzicato66 1]

Wow! I can't really add to the wisdom already posted, but I do really feel for you and hope you'll soon be back with us. Hang in there!

[SPEBSQSAlady 0]

Things went from bad to worse. The drain was removed, but after a few days I had developed a hematoma (blood clot) which my body would not absorb. After a week Dr. Smith cut a 4 inch hole in my tummy and removed the hematoma. Now I have been going in daily to have the hole packed with sterile gauze as it has to heal from the inside out. They are telling me it will be at least another week of packing before it has healed enough not to pack any more. It also oozes continously so I have a huge bandage on my tummy to protect it. BUT, the good news is that I have been without a band for 3.5 weeks and am still retaining my weight loss. Still eating correctly so that is a good thing. Good lessons learned. Dr. Smith still is not willing to make a committment of if I can get another band. We will wait and see after I am healed. Thanks to everyone for your concern.

[pizzicato66 1]

Holy Smokes! You're a brave girl. Hang in there!

[SPEBSQSAlady 0]

Just wanted to let everyone know that my wound has healed and Wednesday the Dr. said I could have my band back. Now for the insurance issues again. Sure hope I can get approval.

[LadyBugRed 2]

Good luck to you!! I'm sure it will all work out!

[Candle 11]

Thanks for the update.

I have my fingers crossed for you!

[Frangipani 1]

Hey Lady,

Thanks for the update, I've been thinking and wondering about you!!! I hope you'll be joining us again in Band Land very soon!!!!

:crying::smile: