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Complications can happen to anyone!

♕ajtexas♕

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I have not been around as much lately and several LBT friends have asked why……

 

I was banded in February of 2012, lost 80 pounds in 10 months and have maintained that weight until I had a tummy tuck on Halloween…

 

After the surgery I had 2 drains, they were removed after 2 weeks. Within 5 days, my tummy filled up with fluid and my doctor drained it (this is like drilling for oil with a really BIG needle….. not fun!). Within about 5 days my tummy was full again so my doctor put a drain back in. The next week the area above my belly button filled up with fluid and I had another drain put in just below my bra line.

 

About a week later I had the upper drain removed & that issue was resolved, BUT….

 

I was still accumulating over 50cc of fluid a day from my lower drain. Doc said the magic number was less than 20cc a day for 2 days in a row, well that wasn’t happening. So on Monday doc flushed Ethanol thru the tubing of my drain into the pocket in my tummy (100cc total). This is supposed to irritate the area between my skin & abdomen wall and cause it to stick together. Today (Thursday) I am still getting 30cc of fluid a day from my drain…… I go back to the doctor Monday.

 

My options are, do the flush again and if that doesn’t work…..another surgery. Ugh

 

Complications happen, I know that. But, how has this affected me mentally? Well, I can’t exercise (every time I do the amount of fluid goes up), I can’t go in my hot tub with my husband (open incision), Have this glamorous drain to carry around in my pocket….. IT SUCKS!

 

And I have gotten very depressed over it. I have disconnected from my life lines (Local support group, LBT wait I mean Bariatric Pal, and my family) Yes I looked to food for comfort. (We won’t even add the holidays on top of all this….)

So you wonder….how is my weight? I am about 10 pound over my original goal weight (I weigh between 177-180, depends on the day). But even more important is how I am mentally? I will be honest, I am struggling. I am pissed, why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? WHY? Oh WHY? OH WHY????? Full on pitty me party here!!!!

 

This is my confession, I am not the perfect role model. I struggle, I have pitty me parties, I ask why me…… and so I stayed away from my support. Too many people saw me as inspiration. How can I be inspiration when I am like this????

 

I am taking my complications day by day. I am not giving up (& yes the tummy tuck was worth it). I just don’t think I can motivate anyone right now.



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I hope things get better for you , sometimes there are set backs after having major surgery , just try to remember why you wanted to be banded in the first place after losing your weight and looking and feeling more healthy , you will be able to do that again and other things you want , start back at pre op diet then go to post op diet or do the 5 day pouch test and see if that helps to get the 10 lbs off that you have gained , we won't beat you up or scold you , however , being depressed or stressed is what got us to our thinking and eating the way we did , just try to remember that you have that little tool that sometimes just needs to be cleaned and polished as you will be more polished soon enough and be able to shine even more.

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good to see you AJ

and understand the struggles you are having...maybe not the extent you are experiencing but i can def (feel) your mental anguish, your being down on your self...you ARE most def loved by this forum and by your family and your friends and even Sammy Hagar......YOU are amazing.......

you are and continue to be a success

a great inspiration and one helluva woman.

much love to you

your friend forever

VA

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​I feel so sorry for your complications. You had mentioned that you loved your TT. Thank you for sharing, the good, the bad and ugly. Nothing is ever perfect even though we try so hard.

I am happy you are back here.

Feel better and keep in touch, we do miss you and the yellow roses of TX.

Arlene

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so sorry to hear of your situation AJ. you know you have friends on this forum and friends don't judge. we don't care if you've stumbled...you are human, not perfect. please keep in touch and let us know how you are, or just come on and rant if you must...the good thing is that we don't care...it's just good to see you here. feel better soon!

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Hi AJ, I hope that appointment goes well today and you get some answers. The not knowing what's going on is so stressful, and then of course not being able to exercise or use the hot tub makes everything worse. I'm so glad you're back on the forum. We are here for you no matter how you're feeling. Sending best wishes your way!

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Hoping you are feeling better and things are looking up for you. You are an inspiration not because of all of your successes but because you are human and struggle as well. Half the battle is acknowledging the trouble one has and then moving forward with things and you are doing just that.

Wishing you all the best and you are missed!

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AJ I understand, I'm 3 weeks out from LBL and still have 2 drains, I busted open the incision on my back, and I still get light headed and dizzy if I stand up or walk too long. I feel like I'm the only one. Now I'm more restricted on movement than when I first got it. Keep me updated on how your doing!

Sue

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