Jonathan

Somehow, I don't think you're joking. I know that's how I feel, and it's not a joke to me. I think, because I feel like that, I would do whatever WLS was the best option at the time for long term success -- NO MATTER WHAT THE RISK. Yes, people die from gastric bypass. But I'd rather be dead than be 400 lbs again.

There's something more to be said about this that nobody's saying -- probably because we're too nice, and we don't ever want to "rain on someone's parade". So, I'll use personal experience. I lost 100 lbs in 3 months, excercising about 4 hours a day, 7 hours a week of which was with a personal trainer. Every pound I lost was a pound I'd never gain back. Then I gained them all back. Just like that, it was gone. I realize that nobody else here has ever had an experience like that. Oh, what? You have? You too? And you? Yeah, this is our life story. I'd wager good money that the majority of the people on this forum are perfectly capable of losing weight, and losing it fast. What we've all learned over the years, is that there's no point in losing the weight, because we're just going to put it back on. Maybe we don't verbalize that sentiment, and we certainly may have never vocalized it, but it's there, influencing every decision we make about whether or not to have cheesecake for dessert. God bless these people on Biggest Loser (and everywhere) who have lost weight so quickly be devoting a significant amount of their lives to that sole effort. And may each of them find their way into the 5% of people who are able to lose significant weight and actually keep it off for more than a year. And they actually do have something that may keep them IN that 5% -- public (not to mention national, if not international) accountability. So, please, not a single person here should be thinking "if I had 3 months and a personal trainer on a daily basis I could have lost the weight too". To me, that still feeds into the "I could have done this on my own" line of thought -- maybe not on the surface, but again, if the thought is there, the underlying quesiton may not be too far behind: "why couldn't I do this myself?" We've selected a tool that is engineered for long term success. If there's one thing we've all learned it's that *losing* weight is the easier part of long term success. That being said, I *love* "The Biggest Loser". It's very inspirational. I'm just betting that there will never be a reunion show. Jonathan

I mentioned to my "boss" (the district superintendent of the district where I'm a UMC pastor) that I had WLS back in January, and she said, "Oh, I knew you were losing weight, but I just assumed you were working hard." I told her, "You have no idea how hard I *have* been working" and left it at that. That's what we face, and will face, probably for the rest of our lives.

Salty =) But I did spice up the chicken broth a little with some lemon pepper, and it was yummy. Thank you all for your posts. They bring tears of comfort and joy to my eyes. Of course, that might also be related to the thought of eating semi-solid food again =) Jonathan

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12163

I can't believe it. Out of frustration I went to the Surgery Center of Richardson again today, because they had stopped returning my calls as well (it turns out they were actively trying to find me a doctor, and the person who was helping me was just out of the office today). While I was there, Dr. Anderson's office returned my call and said they'd be happy to accept me as a patient. They wanted me to get another flouroscopy done to see if the band had moved at all before scheduling me for surgery. So, SCOR got me in as an add-on patient, and didn't even make me wait. Within 20 minutes of arriving and asking for the appointment, I was in the back room, laying on the fill table. Everyone in the flouro room stared in amazment as they discovered that my band is back in place -- perfectly. One week of no fill and consuming only liquids resolved the situation completely. They gave me 1cc of saline, which I know won't do much, but is a start, and sent me on my way. There are two things I feel that I need to say to you all. First, the support found here is amazing, and sustaining. I know we've gone through some times on LBT when attitudes flared and personailites clashed, but what it comes down to is that when the shit hits the fan, we're family, and we act like it. I can't thank you enough for sharing in my misery, even when it wasn't yours and you didn't have to. Second, miracles happen. Small, big, medical, spiritual, whatever -- they happen. Following directions is good too. I don't know if this was a miracle or a product of following directions, or, as I believe is probably the case, a combination of the two. Friends, don't give up hope. Ever. Living without hope isn't living at all. That, and that alone, was probably the main reason I had this surgery in the first place. I don't imagine I'm alone in that. Peace and blessings, Jonathan

He doesn't take BC/BS. I'm understanding that I may end up having to pay for this out of pocket. It's infurating since I have insurance that would cover it now. (Not to mention, I actually *can't* pay for it out of pocket. I have no credit cards, and I'm not going to be able to get any. I took an 80% cut in pay when I left my software development job to go into ministry.)

This is unreal. I cannot get a doctor to take me. Dr. Powell's office never even had the courtesy to call me back. I had to keep calling and leaving messages, and finally got ahold of Myra again, and she told me that they couldn't take me because they didn't have a reliable hospital to perform the surgery in. That sounds like 100% bullshit to me. I'm looking for a lawyer today, but in the mean time, I can't even get a doctor to TALK TO ME ON THE PHONE OR SEE ME IN THE OFFICE to tell me if I'm in any danger. I have a slipped band. Surely this isn't something that I can just live with, is it? What am I supposed to do?

We need to start a club. Sorry to hear about your slip, Jax.

Thank you all. I'm hanging in there... by a thread, but hanging. I'm on day 3 of liquids, and I haven't killed anyone yet, so I think things are progressing well. (And yes, Darcey, it's a small price to pay, and I'm happy to do it, just for the chance.) Jonathan

For 2 weeks after my surgery, I coudln't swallow my own saliva. I had to spit in a cup and have an IV twice to keep from dehydrating. At night, I would aspirate on my saliva, as it came up while I slept. It was the most miserable experience of my life. I vomited over 200 times in those 2 weeks. I asked my doctor if that concerned him, since vomiting causes slipping, and he wasn't concerned. Now, I have discovered that I have a slipped band. I'm going to have to have surgery again (granted, there's a minute chance it will correct itself and I won't, but I'm not holding my breath), and maybe have to go through the entire experience again. Or maybe it will be better this time. In 10 months, I've only lost 40 lbs. I paid $16,000 for the surgery, out of my own pocket, because my employer wanted to save a few bucks by signing up for the plan that summarily excluded weight loss surgery. Am I happy? No, as I sit here and sip from the 8th can of broth I've had in the past 3 days, I'm not happy. Would I do it again? Yes. I've weighed 400 lbs in my life. I'll never do it again. If losing 40 lbs is the only thing this band ever gains me, then it was a good thing to do. If I'd continued down the road I was going, I may have lost my vision, or my feet to diabetes. I may have had a heart attack in 5 years, or 10, or 15. I may still, but I'm doing everything I can to ensure that that doesn't happen. I hate what's happened with my band, but I love my band, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I binged today. I had *4* cans of broth. =)

You lost me, love =) Which post of Leatha's are you referring to? Tell me what to do, and I'll do it, like a good boyfriend. Seriously, it's a slipped band. What's the 2nd opinion for? Right now, I can't even get a doctor to call me BACK, much less offer an opinion on anything.

You have lots of people thinking about you and sending you the warmest of thoughts. You can certainly add me to the list. I do believe you'll be successful. You know what it took to lose the weight. I think that, in and of itself, will be enough to keep you on track for the long term. I'll be praying for you. Jonathan

At this point, I don't even know if it *was* the wrong band -- I just wish my doctor would avail himself enough to discuss it with me. Thanks for the support, though.

No... where is (s)he at?

It was. I went in for a fill, and they emptied me. *weep* But, for even a chance of this fixing itself, I'll do whatever they recommend.

Funny you should say that... Dr. Powell is the doctor I've mentioned a few times who takes BC/BS but won't take new BC/BS patients. However, a few minutes before reading this post, I did call again and speak with Myra. I explained the situation again, and mentioned that the Surgery Center of Richardson had spoken with Dr. Powell directly and that he told them to have me call the office. So she's going to try to get in touch with him, though it will probably be Monday before I hear anything now. At least there's hope... Jonathan

This is very true, and I'll live through the liquids, even if it sucks. I figure that if I stick to it 100% (which I plan to) I'll lose 20-30 lbs in 3 weeks. (This comes from experience). That will put me at 70 lbs lighter than I was when I had the band put in. My hope is that if this is the case, that even if the band was too tight then, it won't be now. Makes sense, doesn't it?

It just gets worse. My doctor won't do anything for me, unless I want to pay cash. He's accepting no responsibility at all, and, in fact, won't even talk to me. He told the office staff to tell me to make an appointment if I want to talk. He wants me to drive 5 hours round trip instead of just picking up the phone. I've called 5 doctors in the Dallas area. NONE of them take BC/BS, except for the one that does but won't take new BC/BS patients, but I'm on the phone with them now, re-explaining my situation, hoping that it will do some good. I called a doctor in Texarkana that does accept new BC/BS patients, but he won't touch a patient that has already had surgery from another doctor. What's happened to medical care today? Have insurance companies and lawyers screwed doctors SO much that they're afraid to help someone?

Because, they say that anytime a band slips, they always do 7 days of liquids to see if it will fix itself. Even if the odds are very very low, I guess it's worth the effort -- especially to them, since they're not the ones consuming only liquids for 7 days...

I went for my fill today -- the first under flouro. My band has slipped. Most of my stomach is sitting on top of the band. This explains why I don't have restriction, why I've gained weight, and why I have reflux. The techs who read the flouroscopy said that they think the band my doctor used was too small to begin with, and that I may need a new (VG) band, as opposed to fixing the placement of the one I have. Surgery will be $4500 + doctor's fees. A new band will be $4000 on top of that. I can't afford this. I couldn't afford the $16,000 I paid for surgery the first time. I can't believe it's 10 months later, I've only lost 40 lbs, and I have to go through this all again, at this cost. The really frustrating thing is that it's possible that my insurance company now will pay for "diagnostic surgery" which would cover the costs of the surgery to fix the placement. (Nobody can tell me what would happen in that circumstance if they found I need a new band.) However, this seems to be a moot point, as no doctor I can find will accept my insurance company. For some reason, everyone is swearing off BC/BS. Even doctors that take BC/BS aren't taking new BC/BS patients. In the mean time, I have to go the next 7 days on liquids only, even though they said that the band is too small for the stomach to fix itself. 7 days of liquids, with no restriction, over Thanksgiving. I want to crawl into a hole.

...and ready for spring. I just packed away all my short-sleeved 3X shirts. Tomorrow I get my 5th adjustment, and I'm ready to plow through the winter and work my ass off -- literally. By the time spring rolls around, I'll be shopping at Target (max shirt size, 2X, which will be PLENTY big by Spring) instead of Wal-Mart =) (Yes, I'm a big spender. ) Jonathan

I had my surgery at SCOR too, and that's where I'm getting this fill at. My normal aftercare is also with SWB. Dr. Fass is my doctor. I think getting a fill before the holiday is a great idea =) It's just so NOT worth gaining weight for...

I have a "refill" appointment for Tuesday the 22nd. My doctor has always done fills in his office without flouroscopy, and has never had any sort of diet restriction before or after the fill. I'm having this one done at the surgery center where I had surgery, under flouroscopy, and they have dietary restrictions. I guess I'll be on "soft foods only" through Thanksgiving, which is just fine with me. Anyway, I'm really hoping that since they're doing this under flouroscopy that it will be a good fill =) Anything I should know or ask as a "first timer"? Jonathan