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.

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 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.

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.

Thank you all for your help regarding the Gastric Sleeve site. I've put in a query to find Oregondaisy to see how she is and to find out more about the sleeve. Best wishes, Katydid.

Hi Charlene K Spoke to my GP yesterday who is also having weight problems of his own. He said he had been considering banding but pulled back after seeing myself and another patient have bad times, did extensive checking and decided NO WAY. He is leaning more to having the sleeve operation. My surgeon had written to him saying that he considered another banding for me was far too dangerous because of all the damage inside and that I still am not healed inside. The removal was 7 months ago. Look after yourself and don't be like me and leave it almost too late in getting a second opinion if you're worried about anything. Best wishes, Katy.

Hi Corliss and If Your Stomach Offends You, Thank you both for replying, I appreciate it. My 6 hernias have all been large abdominal ones where the intestine protudes through the lining and pushes the skin out like a soccer ball running the risk of twisting and blocking, like yours Corliss. Hiatal hernias are off the osophagus (not sure if I have the spelling right) and are situated under the liver. I have one of those but the last operation was so life threatening that the surgeon could not risk lifting the liver to get to it. My body was in a malnutrition state, had absolutely no protein in my blood and my inner flesh was "like dried raw meat". He tells me a little more info each time I see him = He'd never seen a live body in such a bad state until he opened me up. The band had been put in far too low and not even saliva could get through as even after fasting he found 1.5 litres of saliva in my stomach that had to be emptied before he could do anything to help me. I'm keeping this surgeon and will do what he says. The other one was far too careless, even in his attitude. "Oh, it will be fine, don't stress" and that was with scans etc in front of him showing proof that things were NOT ok. So I hope you understand why I'm wanting to find out all I can. Actually there was a lady on this site who had the gastric sleeve operation after banding but I don't remember her name. If anyone knows how she is, could they let me know please? Many thanks, Katy

Hello Everyone, I haven't been on for a long time but have a strange question to ask. Has anyone had banding done three times? I've had it done twice, with bad results leading to removals as a few of the regulars may remember. The last removal was in March this year and was touch and go. My problem now is that I have put on 10.5kilos and my surgeon is afraid my abdomen will rupture again (have had 6 abdominal hernias) as the wall is so thin and scarred and understands that I am an emotional stress eater and need the help. He has suggested the band again but says he's not brave enough to operate on me yet and will look inside with a camera next March before he makes a decision. You'd think that sort of a fright would stop my eating and it did for a while, but........... I'd appreciate any information at all. Best wishes, Katydid.

Hi Corlis, I love the bit where you say you were "incarcerated in a jail of fat" etc... because that is so very true. That is exactly what it becomes, jail!! Congrats for getting your degree and your wonderful outlook on life. I'd go for the ps as well but it's way out of my $ range unfortunately. Good on you. :hurray: Katydid

Hi Lynnt1215, Good to hear that you're doing so well. Do your private insurance companies pay for the plastic surgeries over there? No insurance companies over here in Australia will cover any part of cosmetic surgery to the face or neck even if it is through weight loss. Not sure about arms or legs either. For a tummy tuck they will pay a small amount of the surgeons fee and will cover the hospital but the patient still has to pay the majority. With our Government harping on about all the overweight people here, you'd think they'd come to the party a bit more by helping to cover the costs of lopping the loose bits off after the fat has gone. I treated myself last Friday by having Juveraderm injections for the fine wrinkles in my top lip. Ouch! I'm a big wuz! I really can't see there's much difference though for $450. A nasty bruise in one place but I guess I can't expect miracles. I'm just not ready for wrinkles yet! The fat filled them out before but I still don't want to go back to that size again. Best wishes to all. Katy.:w00t:

Thank you Phyllser, much appreciated. Both my parents have had their knees replaced in the last 12 months. Dad had one and is doing fine but won't listen to his physio and does his own thing re exersize. Mum has had both done, seperately and is ok but doesn't exersize enough. Her weight is slowing her down but she won't give up her jelly lollies and ice cream no matter what she's told. Good luck with your op, keep up with the physio and do what they say and you'll be fine. Best wishes, Katy.:cool::smile2:

Hi Phyllser, You have lost sooo much weight and you look so healthy in your new photo, good on you. Thought I'd pop in to see how everyone is doing. I've put on 7 kilos = 15.4lbs since the band was removed in March which is sad but was also expected. I go up a couple then down a couple all the time. Trying hard to stay positive though. Keep up the good work. 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 JoannMarie, Happy to see that you're doing so well. I haven't posted for a long time since the second band and 6th abdominal hernia was repaired. Took a long time to recooperate as my body was in such a bad way. I've unfortunately put on 7 kilos = 15.4lbs and now weigh 81 kilos = 178.2lbs. Very disappointing. My surgeon said I would put on weight because my body was so dehydrated but no more than 5 kilos = 11lbs or I'd risk another hernia breaking through. I'm an emotional eater, that's been my problem all along. The banding was the only way I lost the weight at all but it just didn't work out for me unfortunately. I'm having my shoulder operated on next Thursday. I'm not fond of hospitals or pain and I hate needles, so the sooner it's over with, the better. Keep up the good work. Best wishes, Helene.

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 livin4jesus, Sorry to hear of your problems, I sure hope they are fixed very soon. You are certainly in my heart and prayers. I haven't been on for a long time. Still having trouble with blood in the abdomen causing pain and I don't like having to take so many painkillers. There shouldn't be the need by now. I also wear a brace. The worst thing is that I've put on 4 kilos = 8.8lbs and I'm very miserable about it. I wish I'd known about the "sleeve" before I had the 2 bandings as it sounds ideal. My new surgeon refuses to even think about it now. Ahh well, I still wouldn't have lost the weight I did if I hadn't tried, so I don't regret anything. People think I'm odd after everything I've been through for thinking that way but it is what I believe and know for a fact. Best wishes to everyone and "Goodonya to Oregondaisy" Katy

Hi and Welcome, If you happen to find a spare guy with the same talents as you're after, plus mechanical knowledge would be good too, please pack him up and send him to me in Western Australia. Good luck with your band. Katy

Hi Orea15, Thanks for asking about me. I'm back on deck but unfortunately still having problems. I go for blood drainage under a scan at the hospital in the morning. I'm hoping that will get rid of the painful stabbings and the soreness. My goodness, you've had a rough trot too. Thank heavens you have a good surgeon taking care of you. I think it's harder to handle pain as we age, (me anyway). The tiredness takes a long time to go. I'm ready and waiting for the burst of energy to appear. Best wishes,

"Way to go Janet," Welcome back from your trip. You look fantastic!! Sure looks like you had fun. Good on you.

Hi Everyone, Happy to read so many happy posts. JoannMarie, You will be great writing the article. I had to go to my GP today as the fluid (blood) in my midriff has gotten bigger and has sunk over my waist. He tried to draw the fluid out with needles but none would come out. I now have to have an ultra scran and have it drawn out but he thinks I have a deep set abscess in their. Great, just what I need after all this trouble. This will happen on the 8th April when the radiology place has a specialist available to do it. I've had this done many time before so it doesn't worry me too much. I'm on antibiotics. To add insult to injury the MRI I had on my shoulder has shown that I need to have bone shaved from it as it is bone on bone and is really painful. I fell January 2008 and it's never gotten better. It will take months to heal apparently, so I'll wait until Mum has her second knee replacement done and is well again before I go ahead with that. I can't believe my ruddy luck. I think I'll have to have this place blessed or exorcised or both to get some healthy vibes back in us all. Where is Livin4jesus? Haven't seen her post for awhile. Best wishes to all.

JoanneMarie & Oregondaisy, You are both so lovely. Thank you. I had the last 17 staples out today (made a total of 30). Oh boy, did those little buggers hurt!!! They pounded away for an hour or two afterwards as well, so it took me a while to drive home. I hope you are both doing really well and for all the complications that I have had, I still know that I wouldn't have lost the weight if it wasn't for the band. But then again, I guess it really does depend on the quality of surgeon you get because look at all the people on this site who are doing so well. Best wishes to everyone.

Hi Everyone, Would you believe I'm down to 94 kilos = 163lbs as of this morning. I was so afraid of going up in weight after the band was removed but I guess I'm doing something right. My system has begun moving properly again so I guess that will make a difference. I still have small meals as before and drink a lot of water (mineral water, can't stand tap water). I do wish the surgeon had drawn the fluid (blood) from the bulge last week. He said the body will absorb it in time but I've had it drained after previous surgeries and would prefer it than the bulge. Still very tender and tire easily but getting there. Best wishes to all.

Atta Girl Elayne, Sounds like you had some well overdue fun with your school pal. "G'donya!" Great to hear. Keep it up. Best wishes, Helene.