DeeW99

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=3][color=#222222]Started my journey with great anticipation. My daughter had the same surgery two years ago and she looks great. With my health deteriorating dramatically I had to do something. I tried every diet known to man over the years. After trying to diet for 40 years I guess I should realize I cannot do this on my own. I was getting to the point of walking with a walker due to my joints in my knees, hips and back wearing down. I ended up with severe arthritis down both sides of my back, my hips, pelvis, and knees. I have fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and compressed vertebrae. All specialists told me to lose weight. Gastric by-pass was suggested but I opted for the lapband since my daughter had success with it. [/color]
[color=#222222]I was scheduled for surgery March 27[sup]th[/sup]. Two weeks pre-op of protein shakes and with a weight loss of approximately 20 lbs., I arrived at the clinic, nervous, but also very excited. I had my surgery and had the 10cc band put in and a hernia repair . I woke up, was given some water and started throwing up. They then laid me down and put a needle into the port (which was a very very sore area) and withdrew any fluid that was in the band. Things seem to settle somewhat. [/color]
[color=#222222] We left the clinic and headed to the hotel to spend the night. (The clinic was 3.5 hours away from home). A few hours later I started vomiting and had such severe pain I was doubled over. The doctor suggested I go to the hospital. I ended up ‘sitting up’ all night in emerg. vomiting about every 40 minutes. After a painful night I was admitted. Apparently I am the 1% that could have complications. For three days I had to sit up straight because every time I laid my head back whatever was bubbling in my stomach literally rolled out of my mouth and the vomiting continued. The third day the doctor advised that he was going to operate and ‘unhook’ the band. He felt there was too much swelling. I was wheeled into the operating room still vomiting. The next thing I know I am waking up in ICU on a ventilator feeling like I was going to die. Apparently I had aspirated into my lungs when they put me under. The next day they removed the ventilator and all other tubes. The ICU doctor had told me I was a very lucky girl that most people who aspirated like I did usually end up on a ventilator for days, weeks, months and sometimes they die. Apparently I also woke up in the middle of aspirating as well. (That I don’t remember thank goodness). Two days later I was sent home to recover.[/color]
[color=#222222]There was no weight loss during the time of March surgery and the surgery in May. The band wasn’t hooked up so therefore I could not tell that I even had one in. At least I didn't gain.[/color]
[color=#222222]Well two months later and my surgery to be ‘hooked up’ was scheduled for May 24[sup]th[/sup]. Needless to say I was a nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. I was reassured that all would go well and that the odds of going through that again were nil. I woke up in the recovery room, was given water to sip and immediately started vomiting again. Again the laid me down and put a needle into the port to see if there was any fluid in the band, which of course there wasn’t. Since the vomiting wouldn’t settle the doctor advised me he had to operate AGAIN and remove the 10 cc band and put in the 14 cc band. They then had trouble finding any veins in order to put me to sleep, they all wanted to collapse (the veins not the doctor, but I must say at this point he looked quite worn out). I look like I have been beaten. The band was replaced and the 14 cc band was left empty. [/color]
[color=#222222]I am home and finally starting my journey. I am down 29 lbs as of today May 29[sup]th[/sup] since this all started back in March. I am still shaking my head that I went through 4 surgeries in under two months all because I can’t lose weight on my own. I am remaining hopeful.[/color][/size][/font]