JCJSTL

To tell you the truth in some ways I am thankful it happened. Sounds stupid since i almost died lost a band i paid 14 grand for, and the family is in real money problems since my works short term disability hasnt kicked in yet. But it made me wake up to what really matters , i trully dont get angry anymore, things that seemed like a big deal no longer matter. In some ways i think it was a message. I just hope and pray that i dont lose that message in time.

thank you all for your well wishes. i truly feel for you spunky. I also had a pic line and they considered sending it home with me to continue to get iron and antibiotics. but they decided to remove it before i left.

Thank you for the prayer and good thoughts they are appreciated... The dr says he knows how and when it happened but no clue why.

Just want to put my story of how I lost my band out here... It will probably be a little long ... so sorry about that. OnSept 30th I went to my Regular Doctor with severe flu symptoms my stomach was killing me. Walking into the building I collapsed my knees just gave out. The Dr took my blood pressure and it was very very low. He called 911 and had me moved to the er. after being treated for dehydration and trying to get my bp up. (which is strange because i have highblood pressure). I was then admitted. After being in my hospital room for about 20 minutes I drank a couple of little juice things that have in there and out of no where i broke out into cold sweats and the room started to swirls around me.... my bp had dropped really bad and reall fast..... they very quickly moved me to icu and tried to figure out what was going on.. being a stuborn man i am i fought with them on putting a central line iv in my neck ... they knocked me out and i woke up four days later by puling the breathing tube out of my own throat at 2 am. While i was out. 3 arteries around my colon burst and dumped 8 out of the 10 pints of blood in my body into my stomach. I dont know all the details but and dont realy want to, but i do know the dr had to do 2 surgeries to fix it .. in between the surgeries they had me iced down. They removed my band ( they say to limit the change of infection.) I belive because they didnt know what else to do to fix the problem. ( the surgeon is a lap band doctor as well as the hospitals top gi surgeon). Today marks 1 month since i walked into the dr office and today, I havebeen home for a week and have been told by most nurses and doctors involved I am lucky to be here and progresses as far and fast as i have. My home care nurse said it will be about a year before i am 100%. I can walk from my bedroom to the bathroom kitchen or living room but thats about it. i had dialysis for 2 weeks because with the blood loss my kidneys shut down thatkfully They are working about 50% and the dr thinks they will come back more in time. So now all i have to do is get strength back and in 3 month go back for another surgery to reverse the colostomy they gave me...... well sorry for making this so long but i needed to type it... oh and by the way i would have had my band for 1 year nov 18th and i lost 95 pounds. Joe

I called my doc about this yesterday and was told that other than calories alcohol does no harm to the band. I specifically asked about spirits as when I do drink its Vodka on the rocks (only 53 calories per serving). They even said that as long as you account for calories beer is fine if you can handle it. He allows carbonated beverages after 2 months.

When eating cereal I use a couple spoonfuls of light yogurt inplace of the milk and I can tell the difference in how fast it fills me up. I like it actaully better than I did with milk

I am also under 800 for the past 3 weeks 1 weeks before and 2 since and my energy level is good till about 10 pm then its lights out .. but that might just be mental

I am on day 12 and have not been on a scale since the 23rd but I was down 25 pounds at that time .. I can see a difference in my face and believe it or not my my work shoes are too big now ... down one pants size already. Havent felt hungry or full since the surgery. I am going back to the do on dec 22nd and will get my first fill then ... I hope all of you are as joyful as I am about the life changes we have commited to. Joe

My doc discovered my hiatal hernia in the or doing my band ... he fixed it then put my band on.....

I went into surgery yesterday and woke with people freaking around me ..Apparently something raised my bp allot it was at one point 242 over 120. And to top if off my Dr discovered a hernia and had to remove it before he could put the band on(cant wait to see what thats going to cost me). I did my upper gi everything is working so long story shot i have my band i am in a little pain but not to bad.

Paul, I have my surgery on friday and am starting to freak out ... I'm 30 year old man acting like my seven year old son... I am putting up a pretty good front of not being scared but its just that a front.

I am on day 2 of my preop liquid diet and was told that i cannot have the any protein or anything else than regular clear liquids. broth is about as hearty as i can get.