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Welcome home Jen. I'm sure with the right therapy you should get the use of your arm again. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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Hi Jen,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fiona, and I was banded on the 7th March by the same surgeon you had. Before my surgery I was eagerly reading everything I could. When I came across your profile, I read everything you had written, so I could try to get to know a patient who had been through what I was about to do, with the same team.

I was absolutely devastated to learn about your stroke, and began to question my decision, but then I realised that your story is so inspirational, and I thought - hey, if Jen can do it after her awful ordeal, what is my excuse???

I'm so pleased you are home, and well on your way to recovery. I will pray for your continued improvement and long term wellbeing. Thanks for being so honest and inspirational!!

HUGS,

F

:rolleyes2:

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HI Jen

Good to see you are finally home, and things are getting better for you. After hearing what had happened to you I did question myself as to weather I was doing the right thing. I was really worried about not making it thru the operation. However I got over that and went ahead anyway.

Banded on 31st March, I am going ok. have lost 6kg and now I am at a stand still, can't seem to budge anymore.

I do wish you all the best for your future recovery, I am sure with the will power you will get better and things will be back to normal soon. You may be a little slower in things that you do now, but remember you have to walk first befoer you can run. i am sure your arm will get better and you will speed typing very soon.

Once again glad to see you back on here.

I will always remember you, as you were banded on my birthday.

keep up the good work.

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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.

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Thanks for your post Jen. It is definitely a reminder that we can and should. My older brother had a stroke (cerebral haemorrhage) when he was 41 and ended up partially paralysed and has a problem with his speech. He ended up having 3 more over the years but was lucky each time. We help him with things, eg, tying his shoelaces and sometimes I get a little tired of it but you have reminded me how hard it must be for him. Thanks again.

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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.

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You are so courageous... such an inspiration - with everything you have been through you still manage to be ALMOST HALF WAY THERE with your weight loss.

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Jen,

You are a totally amazing person. You have proved to all of us that you can beat anything! You are a total inspiration. Please keep your chin up and take every challenge with a fresh breath of life and think "I CAN DO THIS"! You rock!

Joshie-Boo.

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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.

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Dear Jen,

I am so proud of u hope u haven't forgotten me.????? I dont see you on msn at all these days.

all the best kind regards M:lol:

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    • LeighaTR

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      1. Selina333

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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