Katydid

Hi Everyone, Thank you all for your friendly welcoming and positive thoughts and advice. I will certainly try. It's a bit hard to stay positive at the moment, as I was told by my bone surgeon that it looks as though I'll have to have my shoulder reconstructed AGAIN. It was done approx 8-9 weeks ago but I've since hurt it again by being stupidly stubborn and not wearing my brace. As the weight is coming back with a vengence, I have only one blouse in the smallest of the bigger sizes I used to wear after giving everything away, thinking I'd never need them again. I spent hours yesterday trying to find something decent to wear for a change and hating having to go to the big sizes and especially having to go up another size again. I eventually found one but I came home totally depressed. Don't you find the shop fitting room mirrors the worst of all mirrors. It is so deflating to see the fat from all angles at once. Best wishes to all, Katydid.

Hi Kirasoma, I can relate to your disappointment on awakening after surgery. When I awoke after what I thought was going to be my 2nd banding, I was told that the surgeon was unable to do it because my stomach and liver had stuck together and had to be separated. He only had 1mm in which to separate them. When I saw him for my checkup after the op, he said that he was so pleased to see me breathing and walking that he refunded his Gap fee of $1,219 and just accepted the Medicare and HBF amounts. I now call my security doors after him as that's what I spent the refund on. Unfortunately when I finally had the 2nd banding things went disastrously wrong and that had to be removed by another surgeon. I'm hoping for the sleeve in February and in the meantime the lost weight is returning with a vengance. Waiting to hear the results of your liver test. Bet wishes, Katydid.

Hello, I'm in Perth Western Australia so it's a bit hard to talk in the chat room because of the time difference but I'm learning a lot from everyones postings. I found this site through the LapBandTalk. I've had two, yes, two failed lapbands and the last one in March 2009 was a life/death situation. I've also had 6 large abdominal hernias since being banded the first time. Won't bore you all with the details. I had gone from a size 22-24 top down to a 14 and a size 18 pant to a 12 not at goal weight but really feeling happy about the weight loss. The only thing I didn't like was that I'd never had wrinkles before because the fat filled them all out, so that was a bit of a downer. After things went pair shaped again and the band removed, the weight started back again and pretty soon my new clothes started to strain at the seams, which brought back the old depression, which made me eat more and so the cycle began again. I'd given all my Big clothes away to a homeless appeal and am now scratching for something to wear. I found one blouse that I'd somehow missed giving away, which is now my everyday "wash and wear" because I can't bear to go and buy Big sizes at the moment. My new surgeon says he'll see me at the end of January to discuss the sleeve as he's "not brave enough to operate on me just yet because of all the damage to my stomach". I guess I just have to wait but I hate to think of the size I'll be then. My daughters says "Oh mum, you should get into exercise, diet, be positive etc".... "Been there, done that. If that had brought me the willpower and results I wouldn't have had to resort to all the operations, so your mother is a failure and a bad example!" Well, I can't wear that negative talk anymore so I'm counting on you folks to help me out here. Best wishes, Katydid.

Hi Rick and Wife, It was the 19th October yesterday over here in Perth Western Australia, so I guess you'll be having your operations over there today in your time. Thinking of you both and wishing you both a speedy recovery. I've had two failed bands and hopefully will be having the sleeve next February. Looking forward to following your journey with you. Best wishes, Katydid.

This is so scarey!!! I'm very partial to keeping my hair. Does this happen to everyone? Katydid.

Hi Kirasoma, My goodness, what rotten luck!! I hope your check up goes well for you. Best wishes, Katydid.

Hi Steelmagnolia, Thanks for the info on the MRSA bug. It is a frightening thing. They did tell me that when elderly patients from nursing homes are admitted to the hospital, they are automatically tested for the bug. That says a lot for nursing homes, doesn't it. Best wishes, Katy.

Hi Steelmagnolia, I haven't posted anywhere for a long time. I ended up having to have my 2nd lapband removed because of complications and a huge 6th abdominal hernia repaired at the same time. I had a new surgeon as I'd lost faith in my other one. I came close to losing my life during that operation as my body was in such a bad state. Not good memories. Having caught the MRSA bug during a previous hospital stay, i now have to have the tests before every hospital stay. I was even sent home after 3 days of my big op in March and had nurse visits at home because the hospital didn't want to risk the bug there, even though I'd tested negative. Apparently once a person has caught it, they become carriers. GREAT!!! I'm going in for a shoulder operation next week and have to go through the tests again. Very humiliating. I hope your brother is well now. Best wishes, Katydid.

Hi Slimmy120, Wow, you have done so well. I thought I'd done well getting to a 16 top and a 14 pant since June 'o8 but now I'm jealous. Can't keep anything down though. What is your secret? I didn't know Dr. Kierath did plastic surgery. Is he a cosmetic surgeon as well? Have you had anything done? My tummy is looking very disfigured since the last hernia operation in November, so I wouldn't mind having that fixed when I've reached my goal and stayed there for awhile. Wouldn't mind my neck wrinkles gone as well. Oh where do you stop!!! Trouble is I didn't have these wrinkles when I was fat, so one problems cure is another problem started. Not fair!! Best wishes.

Hi Thinlizzy, I could not eat sausages after I had my first fill. Very cruel and would take ages to come up but sooner or later, always did and what a relief. I found fish was easier but always chewing slowly. I was banded for the 2nd time on June 9th this year and also had abdomianl hernias repaired at the same time. Unfortunately I had to go in again for another hernia repair in November and caught a bad bug in the wound while I was in there and had to be isolated. I was a very sick girl. Anyway, my surgeon emptied my band before he started to operate and won't refil it for two months to let my insides heal. I can eat sausages but still have to watch it. Last night I ate two and suffered badly, getting up many times through the night to race to the bathroom. I think I'll have to avoid them altogether for safety sake. I have lost 31 kilos since June and gone from size 22-24 top to a 16 and pants from an 18 to a 14. I have another 10 kilos to go to my goal. I never could've done it without the banding so it's still worth the discomfort. My daughter recently showed me a photo taken at my 60th birthday party that I had never seen. (Thank goodness.) I knew I was big but honestly, I NEVER thought that I looked THAT big. I looked like a huge whale with a huge overpuffed toads neck. I am pleased to say that is all gone now and I couldn't be happier. I have only put on half a kilo since the band was emptied which is a relief but I only have to remember that photo to keep me in line. UGH!!! Best wishes.

Hi Slimmy and Viv, I was banded for the 2nd time on June 9th 2008, this time by Dr Kierath. I've lost a total of 31 kilos so far. I have had a series of bad luck with hernias though and am not long out of hospital again for another one. I'm down from a size 22-24 top to a 16 and from an 18 down to a size 12 pants. Never thought I'd ever be wearing those sizes again. Best wishes.

Hi Everyone, Not long out of hospital again for the hernia repair. Had to be opened up again but during my stay a MRSA bug (bad one) infected the wound and I had to be isolated. The hospital were afraid it would get into my blood stream and turn me septic. I was a very, very sick girl. My veins collapsed so they couldn't put anymore canullas in...... thank goodnes, they hurt like hell. I'm out now after two weeks bur still have a drain in my abdomen and have a nurse come everyday for the dressing. Feeling very weak but trying to get on top. I saw my surgeon today and asked if there were any other things I could do to prevent more hernias apart from what I'd been told = no lifting, no stretching, resting etc. He very seriously, learned across his desk and looked me in the eye and said "Think good thoughts, go to church and be kind to your mother!" Then laughed and said "Anything that hurts, don't do!" Cheeky bugger. He is not going to refill the band for another 2 months until the wound has a chance to heal. Best wishes.

Hi Pigglet, Wow!! I never knew any of that sort of help exsisted. One place was mentioned but was too expensive. Mum had her heart set on coming here anyway, preferably with her own Granny flat but that fell theough because of Dads stubborness, now they can't get one. Dad has onset dementia and is very forgetful, irritable and stubborn. He keeps wanting to go back to his place in Safety Bay. It gets Mum down and me too but I'm trying to keep my distance from the arguments right now because my tummy tenses up and hurts. Hopefully things will ease up soon. Best wishes. :laugh:

Hi Wade, So sorry to hear of your sad earlier life. I hope life has been kinder to you since you've been here. Things have been a lot better since I exploded. Much better. I can actually relax, although I have to get on with sorting the business out and catching up on doing last years tax. Next week hopefully. Best wishes. :laugh:

Hi Pigglet, Your poor friend. I know how she feels, burning the candle at both ends, being pulled in every direction and not having time for herself and even if she does, feeling guilty about it. When I was bringing my girls up, my folks had a bad habit. Whatever they gave me, furniture or money or whatever, they always kept tabs on it. I could never get rid of anything unless I asked them if they wanted it back. It kept me very beholden to them. I swore I would never, ever do that to my girls and I never have. I also told my folks when the girls grew up that if they ever GAVE them anything at all, to let the strings go and give it feely. They were rather shocked but it sank in. I bought my Grandaughter the fortnightly set of Dora the Explorer last year and the other day my daughter said to me that Stephanie doesn't use them anymore so was it ok to sell them and buy something else with the money. I said why ask me? They're Stephanies to do as she pleases, not mine. I guess it was nice of her to ask but not necessary. I still have the drain and have it seen to each day. Asked if I could drive to Safety Bay to pick up more of Mum and Dads stuff today and was given a horrified "NO" by the Home Care Nurse. Are your folks with you? Are they elderly? How is your weight loss going? I lost a kilo this morning. Have no idea how because I'm doing nothing at all expect resting and have no fluid in the band. The reflux has eased a lot thank goodness. Best wishes.

Hi Pigglet, You're a funny bugger. I had to hold my poor tummy to stifle the giggles. During the last spat with Mum I told her very straighforwardly that.... "I'm sorry I can't do what you want me to do, I feel very guilty as it is but I have to do what I'm told this time round or I will never heal properly and I don't want anymore operations. They're too bloody painful!!" Today things have been ok, don't know how long it will last but so far so good. Best wishes.

Hi Wade, Thanks again. It's going to take me awhile to pick up this time round. Have to have anaemia, diabeties and 2 separate tests for this bug if I'm up to it early next week. Still get quite giddy. I've only put on 1 1/2 kilos, so I'm not growling at myself for that. I can eat a lot easier but still know when I've eaten too much. It doesn't come up very much now though which is great. Reflux is still there mainly at night. Gas too but not as painful as it was. My little (9yrs) Grandaughter is sleeping over tonight and has her heart set on watching a dvd with me tonight. I'll try to sit up but not sure for how long. Best wishes.:laugh:

Welcome Chris, You sure have done well. I never used to like Mangos, mainly because they were so sticky but in the two weeks prior to going into hospital I found I had a real taste for them after all, yum. One of the nurses actually told me of a recipe. One mango, pureed, vodka and topped off with champagne. She says it's magic. Won't be trying it for a while yet though. Best wishes.:thumbup:

Hi Wade, Pigglet, Thanks for your best wishes and concern. I had a very rough time in hospital and spent two weeks in there, most of it in isolation as I'd caught a Multi Antibiotic Resistant Organism in the wound. A "staff" infection that is very hard to treat. I even had a gastroenterologist in to see me. Very ill. My veins collapsed so they couldn't put anymore cannulas in... thank goodnes, they were so ruddy painful. I came home Monday night and have a nurse visit everday as I still have a drain in my abdomen. Feel very weak and get giddy if I stand for too long. The band was emptied before surgery and has not been filled at all yet. I see the surgeon next Wednesday to maybe get the drain out. Bethesda in Claremeont is a beautiful hospital and I had magnificent views from my large windows of the river and all the boats and yachts sailing around. It was very calming. It's hard being at home because I feel guilty that I can't look after Mum and Dad and take them to their physio appts etc and Mum hates having to cook. She does not like being around sick people at all and we've already had a few spats. Sorry for the whinge. Have had to close my business completely. Rotten time of the year to have to do it but had no choice. I'm told I have to take it really easy until at least the new year and evn then follow what I can and can't do so that the hernias don't break through again. That is going to be sooo hard. Must go back to bed now. Best wishes.

Hiya Pigglet, Lucky I read about the Metamucil in your post as my GP had recommended me buying some. I wish the GPs would do their homework before telling people these things. The Gatorade iceblocks sound like a good idea because I have a real thirst and the colder the better. Best wishes.

Hi emma, It took a while to get used to the taste but now I rather like it. Blackcurrant and Lime are the ones I get. My toilet problem is fine now but the dizziness I just can't seem to shake. I don't think seasickness could be any worse than this. Best wishes.

Hi Wade, That would be my dream too. I'm still feeling giddy but not as bad as I was a few days ago. I'm drinking the rehydrating salts = Gastrolite and also electrolite drinks from the deli. Took my grandaughter to a Chinese resturant for Halloween (all dressed up as Spiderella, she, not me) as we don't allow her to Trick or Treat anywhere else than family. It was back to the old me. My eyes lit up at the menu. I ordered Sweet and Sour Combination, fried rice, Lite Beer and Fried ice cream. It was delicious, as if I'd never had a feed in my life. I couldn't finish the combination, hardly touched the rice, left half the beer but pushed the ice cream down. Soon after coming home it came up, several times. Boy was I suffering and yet dying of thirst at the same time. I just can't be trusted. Give me a inch and I'll eat a mountain. Another learning curve I guess. Working again today, still dizzy as but trying to hold out. Best wishes.

Hi Everyone, Thank you all so much for the kind thoughts, they mean a lot to me. Collapsed twice Wednesday night and found myself on the kitchen floor both times. Now I also have a sore back, head, backside and knee. Went to GP Thursday morning, told me to get Rehydrating Salts from chemist. Still couldn't keep anything down. Opened up for work, couldn't even stand up straight so dizzy. Busy as anything, couldn't do it, kept spinning out badly, so sick, had to close up. Rang surgeon, told to come in. One of my daughters left work early and drove me. He took some Fluid out and said to rest. Not possible, Halloween is tonight. I've been drinking the electrolyte salts but I'm still not over the dizzyness. Apparently, if you're not getting the nuitrition your body needs, the electrolytes go haywire = dizzy etc. I had mushroom Soup for tea last night which was beautiful but I made the mistake of having two pieces of bread with it and therefore brought it all up again. Easy to see that without the band I'd be back to the heavy weight again. Best wishes to everyone.

Hi Wade, Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I am still being sick. A lot! Saw the surgeon this morning, he said being sick and the reflux is due to the band and when I've reached my goal weight of 70 kilos, he will let some out. This, he expects to be in another 2 months. Fancy having to wait that long for relief!! I have to be at Bethesda at 7am Monday morning for the repair operation. Sooner than I thought it would be. After the probing and pressing of the examination this morning, I've been very unwell = sick snd dizzy, so I haven't been able to do much at all today. I hope you are doing better. Best wishes.

Hi Everyone, The good news is..... that I am down to 80.5 kilos which is a loss of 31.5 kilos since June '08. I told my Grandaughter the amount I'd lost and she was amazed and said " Grandma, that's exactly what I weigh. So you've lost a whole little persons size". I can't even lift her up anymore, so how on earth could I have been carrying all that extra weight everyday. No wonder I was tired all the time. The bad news is ..... I have a large incisional hernia with the colon and the stomach protruding through. Have to admit that I had a little cry when I heard the news from my GP today. He recommends that it be repaired asap. I see my surgeon tomorrow. Best wishes.