stevegoad

I was banded at True Results. I don't remember the surgeon's name, since he left Houston right after my surgery (I met him the day of, and never saw him again). Haven't been back there since my one-year followup...
but over all the staff seem like nice people and knowledgeable. And I will admit that their counselors seem very willing to talk to you.
But in the end, they are a weighloss surgery mill... they have the job of getting you in, getting you out, and moving on. In my case, after the first couple of months, they were not pro-active at contacting me. At one point, I went for a fill, and they told me my band at stretched. That was the last time I was there. In 3 years since, I never received a note seeing if I had taken their advice, never checked up on me.
Not that I am blaming them. It is the patient's job to follow their plan. As it was, I did follow through, and my band has been working well for those years since... but I didn't feel I needed them to tell me, and I didn't feel I needed to pay $100+ to walk in and have them tell me "you're doing good."
So if you want lap band, they are great. But don't expect them to worry about you... you have to be the one who takes care of yourself.

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

Is it an issue really?
I'm not trying to be flippant, but why are you worried about telling him?
I've played my band fairly low-key. My wife (obviously) knows, as does my pastor, and a few close friends... most people who know me, including people who I have known and eaten with for years, have no clue... and that's the way I like it.
If you get to the point that you are talking marriage, when discussion of medical issues comes into play, then it becomes an issue. If you are not that serious, than it just doesn't matter.

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.

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.

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

That is actually the reason I only told half-a-dozen people, all sworn to secrecy. It's none of their business, and most who don't know don't understand.
But you can't let other people's opinion rule your thoughts.

Congrats on the loss.
I hope everything goes well with the doctor.

Honestly, if you don't like your doctor, find another.
But think about something. Is it that horrible that he said the "D" word?
Lapband is a tool. (I know, we've heard that phrase ad nausium, but it's really true). We still have to watch what we eat, we still have to follow the rules. If we spend all day eating eating refried Beans and washing them down with margaritas (great food for the band, but terrible for the diet), then the band will be a waste.
In other words, the reality is we still need to live on a diet. We didn't get fat because of our will power, or because we had good eating habits. The band assist us in our portion sizes, but it doesn't tell us what to eat. A diet tells us that.
Some doctors don't like lapband... even some that used to do them regularly. I know the surgeon who repaired my hernia 2 months ago was very non-lapband friendly (he made it clear that the lapband surgery was the cause of my hernia, and in his opinion it was a bad surgery).
Like I said, if you don't like your surgeon, get another one... but if you don't like the word diet, then that's a personal problem that you have to deal with.

Honestly, if you don't like your doctor, find another.
But think about something. Is it that horrible that he said the "D" word?
Lapband is a tool. (I know, we've heard that phrase ad nausium, but it's really true). We still have to watch what we eat, we still have to follow the rules. If we spend all day eating eating refried Beans and washing them down with margaritas (great food for the band, but terrible for the diet), then the band will be a waste.
In other words, the reality is we still need to live on a diet. We didn't get fat because of our will power, or because we had good eating habits. The band assist us in our portion sizes, but it doesn't tell us what to eat. A diet tells us that.
Some doctors don't like lapband... even some that used to do them regularly. I know the surgeon who repaired my hernia 2 months ago was very non-lapband friendly (he made it clear that the lapband surgery was the cause of my hernia, and in his opinion it was a bad surgery).
Like I said, if you don't like your surgeon, get another one... but if you don't like the word diet, then that's a personal problem that you have to deal with.

You're going to have pain (maybe a week or so).
For gas, gas-x strips (it doesn't really work well, but I guess it does something).
For pain, Tylenol liquid. Again, doesn't work well, but it's something.
And remember, in a week or so you'll feel better.

You'll be absolutely fine. No problem at all.

Over the last 4 years, I can't even begin to count the number of times I've had my doubts.
I was private pay, so going back was not an option. But in spite of my success, and in spite of loving some of the effects of that success (being able to travel with my wife for one... for some reason she did not like sitting on an airplane next to a 400 pound man), every time I eat I hate it... I hated paying thousands of dollars for hernia repair, only having the surgeon tell me that the hernia was cause by my gastric surgery. I hate when I go to a restaurant having to scope out the rest rooms (just in case).
I know, people around here claim I'm strange hating my band (though I bet there are other successful banders that have the same feelings I do who just won't speak up), but that's the truth. I love the results, I love my life... but I couldn't tell you how many times I have felt it was not right.

Over the last 4 years, I can't even begin to count the number of times I've had my doubts.
I was private pay, so going back was not an option. But in spite of my success, and in spite of loving some of the effects of that success (being able to travel with my wife for one... for some reason she did not like sitting on an airplane next to a 400 pound man), every time I eat I hate it... I hated paying thousands of dollars for hernia repair, only having the surgeon tell me that the hernia was cause by my gastric surgery. I hate when I go to a restaurant having to scope out the rest rooms (just in case).
I know, people around here claim I'm strange hating my band (though I bet there are other successful banders that have the same feelings I do who just won't speak up), but that's the truth. I love the results, I love my life... but I couldn't tell you how many times I have felt it was not right.

Well, I tend to do slim fast or a granola bar around Breakfast time.
lunch will be something light. Some tuna or a weight watchers dinner.
maybe a bar or a slim fast for a snack
Supper is whatever is cooked. Tonight was grilled chicken and some cooked cauliflower (overdone, but a bit mushy is easier).
It's not so much the diet as whatever I can handle.

Well, I tend to do slim fast or a granola bar around Breakfast time.
lunch will be something light. Some tuna or a weight watchers dinner.
maybe a bar or a slim fast for a snack
Supper is whatever is cooked. Tonight was grilled chicken and some cooked cauliflower (overdone, but a bit mushy is easier).
It's not so much the diet as whatever I can handle.

Oh, and BTW... Don't let that addictive thinking hit you... You do have control over your eating. The stess didn't cause you to eat; it made it easier, it might have given you opportunity and desire... but you ate the calories. The stress didn't...
Not trying to be mean. But the lapband is only a tool. You still have to control your behavior.
So just hang in there.

Is it an issue really?
I'm not trying to be flippant, but why are you worried about telling him?
I've played my band fairly low-key. My wife (obviously) knows, as does my pastor, and a few close friends... most people who know me, including people who I have known and eaten with for years, have no clue... and that's the way I like it.
If you get to the point that you are talking marriage, when discussion of medical issues comes into play, then it becomes an issue. If you are not that serious, than it just doesn't matter.

Is it an issue really?
I'm not trying to be flippant, but why are you worried about telling him?
I've played my band fairly low-key. My wife (obviously) knows, as does my pastor, and a few close friends... most people who know me, including people who I have known and eaten with for years, have no clue... and that's the way I like it.
If you get to the point that you are talking marriage, when discussion of medical issues comes into play, then it becomes an issue. If you are not that serious, than it just doesn't matter.

I kept my band a secret from most. My thought.. who the heck needs to know.
If you don't want to be under the microscope... don't place yourself on the slide.

What is "messing up?" After all, we're not on a diet; we're in a lifetime plan. Some days are going to be better than others as far as making the right choices in our eating. Each day, each meal, each snack, each minute, you have to chose who to use the tool that we've chosen to help us lose weight. The band won't do it for you.
But if you are facing depression 3 or 4 times a week because you feel you're not using the tool correctly, and you just don't feel you can make the right choices, it sounds like it's not so much your band or your diet. You might seek a counselor as to the root of your problem.

Is it an issue really?
I'm not trying to be flippant, but why are you worried about telling him?
I've played my band fairly low-key. My wife (obviously) knows, as does my pastor, and a few close friends... most people who know me, including people who I have known and eaten with for years, have no clue... and that's the way I like it.
If you get to the point that you are talking marriage, when discussion of medical issues comes into play, then it becomes an issue. If you are not that serious, than it just doesn't matter.