greeneyez

Hi there, I am still taking multivitamins after 10 months. Calcium is important for everybody - it's not just women who get osteoporosis. Not sure about the vitamin K, best to speak to your Dr.

Hi guys, I'm still around, just don't come to the forum that often these days. I'm well and recovering, just a little slower these days. I made great progress in the beginning - walking, showering and dressing were major goals for me that I accomplished quickly. These days, recovery is a little slower and I find the biggest issues are the ones that forced me to have my band in the first place - I now walk with a limp that I am very self-conscious of, my left arm is still pretty weak and I find a lot of tasks difficult, my movements usually don't look 'normal' and I feel people stare at me when I use it - the same issues I had when I was obese. I've lost 33kg. Admittedly, most of those were in hospital where I could not access junk food or overeat and I was doing a few hours of physical therapy oer day to get back on my feet. It's funny, when I had no movement in my left arm, I would have killed to be able to struggle to use it. Now I struggle and would kill to be able to do things with ease. I feel greedy now. I will continue to get better slowly, I just have to be patient (i'm the world's most impatient person). It would be good to know just how close to my former life I will get - just not with the extra 1/2 person attached, thgen i'd have something to look forward to.

Oh, I know THAT feeling - ughhhh. I would get in touch with him and maybe just had a little unfill, not complete....throwing up can disturb/damage your band and in my case, I had instant relief. Just wait till you get food stuck - now that kills! I'm going for a fill next week - I shouldn't be able to eat toast for Breakfast every day -I get food stuck, but it'smy poor chewing to blame - I forget sometimes. You don't need to be completely unfilled, just enough to make it comfortable.

Oh, I so know how you feel...the liquid diet was horrendous, but nothing compared to what I endured after my first week of being banded. Unfortunately, I have a rare blood disorder I didn't know about and I had a massive stroke one week after surgery. I spent the next 4 months in hospital/rehab, mostly on puree diet (blah). I would have killed to go back home to my liquid diet I so bitterly complained about. 9 months down the track and I'm doing pretty well...I'm independent (with most things) and I've managed to lose 33kg. I've hit a plateau and going for a fill next week. There is going to be temptation wherever you turn, but believe it or not, you won't feel like it, or at least, you'll eat only a small amount and decide it's not the way it used to taste. My lap-band buddy josntra told me about strawberry smoothies - they were yum in liquid phase, but stick to what you've been told to drink - it will help shrink your liver and make recovering from surgery easier. Didn't want to scare you...my case is extremely rare...but the liquid diet really isn't that hard. It was easier after surgery, because I really didn't feel like eating or drinking.

Hey M, How could I forget you???? I'm always on msn.

Thanks guys (especially Joshie, you are my rock). Had my first fill today - 4ml in a 10ml band. I look forward to getting to goal by my bday. Visited my work today - nobody recognised me.

Hi all, Well, I've now lost 24kgs, but have stopped losing and I'm eating way too much food - there is now no restriction. My continued rehab is going well, even though I am home. Physio is hard work, but I am getting better each week. My arm is still not that useful, but I'm trying a new electric shock treatment to increase the strength in my hand. I've come a long way, but I still have a long way to go.

Hi Tracy, Congrats, I know how you feel, I have exhausted all of my old jeans, they are all too big now. I am so glad I don't have to shop in the plus size section anymore, they are all so shapeless. Buying off the rack is a new phenomena - trying things on is too hard for me now, I'm glad I can give it a miss.

Hey there, Thanks for your replies. I just wanted to clarify something - please do not think that my lapband caused all my problems. It is only through having a stroke that I discovered I have a rare bloodclotting disorder and an abnormal heart rhythm, both of which may have caused the stroke independently of my lapband surgery, or at least in conjunction with my surgery. The truth is, none of the specialists know what came first - the chicken or the egg. I could have had a stroke any time, regardless of my band. Both my sister and father have had significantly sized clots in their legs - my dad's was from groin to ankle, like mine! What I realised while in rehab and occasionally regretted surgery - without it, I am a walking time bomb and without my weight loss, rehab would have been a hell of a lot more difficult - it's hard enough without an extra 22kg. I would probably do it all again, but would have been thoroughly investigated prior to surgery so that more robust prevention of DVT could be instigated and treatment of my disorder could have started - I would have gone in with a more informed opinion and eyes wide open. Hope this inspires you - do what I can't and exercise. I always complained about walking but now I'd love to be able to run to the phone, bus or toilet and feel guilty for taking these things for granted.

I agree, what a twit!!

My 3 year old niece said the other day, to my Nanna, Aunty Jen's arm will work again soon and she won't have to wear that stupid sticky thing (my sling) and she will be able to take me out in her car". I can't drive anymore and my car was parked out the front. She didn't know whose car it was. Maybe she knows something that nobody else does. Here's hoping she is one of God's angels!

Thanks everyone, I don't feel alone at home anymore, now that I have all of you back in my life. I still have to go back to the hospital weekly for further therapy. It is easy to lose weight in hospital - no access to junk food, calorie controlled diet and nurses who dob on you when you do the wrong thing. And a dietician who springs you opening a packet of biscuits!

Hi all, For those who don't know me, I live in Sydney and was banded on 15th January. 1 week after surgery, I had a stroke. Nobody knows whether it was related to my surgery or not, given that I have a problem heart and a clotting disorder. I have been in hospital ever since, but finally came home yesterday after spending 2 months in rehab. I can walk with a walking stick, but have lost the use of my left arm. I can move it, but my fingers don't work at the moment and I can't do anything useful with it. I don't want to scare anyone out of banding, it probably wasn't the cause of my stroke. I've lost 22kg and I'm prepared to make the most of my life. I don't regret my operation - don't get me wrong, there were times I wondered what I had done, but there is no clear reason for what happened. Please pray for my arm to come back, it's the only thing holding me back now -I can't drive anymore, have to go back to my L's and get a new car that is automatic. So good to be home! Jen:confused_smile:

Thanks for all your support this year, particularly after I had my stroke. At this point, I'm in rehab relearniing everything from washing to20kilos, cooking and sitting on a chair - I've gone back to baby days. I'm pleased to say that I have now lost 20kilos, but wouldn't suggest that anyone have a stroke - it changes your life for the better, it changes your life forever - not for the better. I'm still here and winning my battle. I Haven't had a fill yet, but don't feel hungry ever! I haven't PB'd - thanks to the nurses who dob on me for doing the wrong thing. I had my first real belch in 2 months today. it was long but came out in small amounts! I don't regret my band after having a stroke post-op. it could have happened anyway, given my dud blood genes. Cheers, Jen

Hi, it sounds like you have reflux. Probably a good idea to see your physician or surgeon.