| Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! | |
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+10newlife darkstar applesauce sue TexasBell Libby sssss sandy_lou TGirl Maryanne79 14 posters |
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Maryanne79 Newbie
Number of posts : 23 Age : 45 Location : Melbourne, Australia Registration date : 2010-02-25
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 23 May 2010, 2:12 am | |
| I think all Isis was trying to say.....is that some nurses and docs are simply in the wrong prefession.....it does take a certain type of empathetic person to work in health care.,. or at least it should. Im a nurse...and i certainly took no offence to her post...I have experienced both professionally and personally....that what she states is true.....the health care system is in trouble....i dont know of other states...only my own, and Victoria is sincerely lacking in many aspects when it comes to healthcare....
so PEACE people :) x
thanks for sharing your story kiwi....what an ordeal you had...and are still going through....youre a brave soul for wanting the sleeve after being through so much....theres always light at the end of the tunnel, so hang in there....
all the best of luck x | |
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Emily Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 1180 Location : Earth Registration date : 2010-04-12
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Thu 20 May 2010, 10:53 am | |
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Last edited by EmilyG on Sun 27 Feb 2011, 6:42 am; edited 2 times in total | |
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sssss Top Poster
Number of posts : 2844 Age : 61 Location : perth Registration date : 2010-03-12
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 16 May 2010, 2:43 pm | |
| Thanks for sharing your story kiwi...what a difficult time you have had. I hope they deal with the hernia soon and you are able to get really healthy...
Welcome to the forum and I look forward to following your progress.
cheers
s | |
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kiwichick Newbie
Number of posts : 178 Age : 46 Location : Auckland, New Zealand Registration date : 2010-05-16
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 16 May 2010, 1:58 pm | |
| Hi I am new to this website but when I read this post I had to sign up and share my story - reading your story was almost like reading my story.
In September 2009 I was admitted to hosp due to a 'rib' injury and possible port that had detached and was sitting in the middle of my abdomen, after having numerous tests I was shocked to be told that I had a stomach full of ulcers and the photos of the inside of my stomach showed the band and the outside of my stomach, the lump that we thought was the port was actually a ball of infection - so I had my first surgery to flush out all of the infection. Then was sent home after 8 days due to my surgeon going on holiday, so he wouldn't remove the band while I was there. After about 10 days at home I told the district nurse that I had been having trouble breathing and she just brushed it off but told me if I was concerned about it I should go to my GP. So eventually I did and the GP took one look at me and it was a trip back to the hospital. My Dr was still on holiday so I was given another Dr - who refused to operate so I got put under the other Dr that does WLS in South Auckland. I had a CT scan and it showed I had infection from one side of my abdomen to the other - what didn't help was that I only got about 1% of my IV antibiotic doses on time.
So 7 days after being readmitted they took out the band and thats when the fun began - the blood clot in the lung scare - 3rd CT scan showed more infection, 4 days after surgery the registrar began my day by telling me I was being discharged, then blood tests were done and an hour after that the consultant came in and he said 'we will keep you another day' this went on for 3 days then on the 4th day I got the 'I think we will keep you for a FEW more days' (at this point my CRP which should be less than 5 was 316 - CRP indicates infection in the body), the following day the consultant took one look at my wound and advised that I would need to be opened up again and flushed out. They removed a lot of dead tissue and puss (Sorry TMI) So 17 days after being admitted I was discharged, 9 days later got rid of the drains.
99% of the nursing staff in the 2nd surgical ward I was in were terrible and 100% of the staff from the surgical ward I demanded to be moved from were terrible - the most experienced nurse had been in the job a month. On the day that the Dr's thought I might have a blood clot in the lungs and was waiting for a CT I was supposed to have hourly obs and I didn't see a nurse for 5 hours. It's lucky it wasn't a blood clot.
My next complication 'popped' in December - I have developed a massive hernia which is painful ALL the time and causes me nausea ALL the time - hasn't made the hunger from having NO band go away though. Oh and then there is the suspected internal bleeding - they think it's from the ulcers (which should have gone from the medication I'm on) and I suspect it's from every time I rip my abdominal wall open a bit more - when I say a massive hernia I mean a lump size of about a 5 month along pregnancy
I guess this is where my story is different - I am desperate for my Sleeve surgery, my surgeon told me 6 months after the removal he would do the sleeve to give my abdomen time to heal - it has been 8 months and counting and now I need a hernia repair which he wont do at the same time. I can't wait to get back into the hospital to have the surgeries. Although I had a traumatic experience being in hospital the Dr's I dealt with were amazing (except one) and if I had any problems I could just ask one of them and bypass the nurses altogether (and some of these Dr's weren't even mine). So I know that next time I am in hospital that no matter what the nurses do to me the Dr's will catch any mistakes or issues.
Wow that was a long vent/story/ramble, I hope you guys didn't get too bored reading it!! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and going through this process with people who know what it's like!! | |
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issi Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 277 Location : Sydney Registration date : 2009-07-12
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 16 May 2010, 8:44 am | |
| Augigi if you read my entire post and didn't just hilight the bits you disliked you would have seen that I said not all nurses and hospitals. Given more people die and have serious complications here than in any other state due to negligence and neglect there is clearly a serious problem in the system. I have grown up in the system from a small child watching my mother run several different hospitals and I have worked in their hr departments when I was younger with sensitive data. The amount of nursing and doctor misconduct known to administrators is abhorant. If it wasn't breach of confidentiality I would name names as they need to be out of the system and stop being promoted.
If you are a doctor or nurse and think treating patients like dirt or attempting to kill them by refusing liquids or a drip for over 7 days is acceptable then maybe you should consider if you should still be in the profession as it is not ethical. Too many cases of this happen in Melbourne. This is what I was referring to. Gross misconduct. I also specifcally referee to one hospital and 20 nurses. Please read before you get so defensive about a subject that has severly debilitated our lives. | |
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Maryanne79 Newbie
Number of posts : 23 Age : 45 Location : Melbourne, Australia Registration date : 2010-02-25
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 16 May 2010, 5:45 am | |
| lol issi, my hospital started with a K also ;)
and if i ever do have to go back to hospital, voluntarily or otherwise....it wont be there.
regarding the ptsd...im not so sure im that severe that i need counselling...if i HAD to go back i could....just not to that specific hospital, im not saying it would be easy...but id manage....I appreciate your suggestion though...
x | |
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Emily Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 1180 Location : Earth Registration date : 2010-04-12
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sat 15 May 2010, 2:51 pm | |
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Last edited by EmilyG on Sun 27 Feb 2011, 6:43 am; edited 1 time in total | |
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issi Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 277 Location : Sydney Registration date : 2009-07-12
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Fri 14 May 2010, 7:38 am | |
| Maryanne i'd be surprised if we didn't have the same surgeon & hosptial. I am so sorry for you. I can completely sympathise. Melbourne is the worst state to have surgery in - I was told this by the highest professional psychiatrists at the Alfred, none of them would send a close relative to any surgeon in Melbourne when sydney is just a $50 flight away - when people who know the system and surgeons so well tell you to stay away from Melbourne hosptials you know something is serioulsy wrong down here. All my friends in nursing are trying to get out of the profession because of other nurses. It's bloody scary.
Now you can't get though this with just an exercise bike no matter how strong you think you are. There is going to come a time in your life when you do have to go to hospital again for whatever reason and for this you need to get into a really good PTSD doctor psych as soon as you can. If you are willing to travel to the easten suburbs I will recommend to you the best one I know. She has helped me tremendously. If you have a health care plan referral from your GP she will not charge you at all. She understands about these butchers and how frigin horrible so many nurses can be. Sorry for any nurses on this board but i've met more than 20 in the past year that should all have been de registered for their lack of care or skill and general misconduct. None of them were overworked, more just over talked to each other. The great ones are few and far between.
Please don't keep your story quite let people that want the band know about the dangers. Make a complaint to your health insurer about the hospital and nurses - I did and they said they take them very seriously. The hosptial I was butchered at was amongst the most complained about in the state yet it gets rave reviews because they have a great maternity department - the rest of the staff suck though. It starts with K and I wouldn't wish my my worst enemy go there. I respect peoples decisions to go there but it's really documented as the worst private care in the state - I didn't know that until after when my private health insurer told me. I was mortified.
Please get PTSD help now, it will only get worse the longer you leave it. Don't go to any old councillor, a good doctor psychologist like the one I see that sees a fair few patients in our situation is ideal to help you get on with life and be able to enter a hosptial aagain in the future when you need to without going into a panic attack.
*hugs* Issi x | |
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Caz Sponsor
Number of posts : 5909 Age : 74 Location : Australia Registration date : 2009-01-20
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Fri 14 May 2010, 4:13 am | |
| Oh you poor dear!
Lots of positive wishes your way - and thank god the band is gone for good. | |
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newlife Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 1020 Age : 62 Location : Perth, Western Australia Registration date : 2008-06-26
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Fri 14 May 2010, 3:55 am | |
| Hi there Maryanne I'm so sorry to hear about the horrific time you had in hospital and am happy that you are slowly recovering. It is just not good enough that those that are supposed to be in the 'caring' profession treated you so appaulingly, particularly this day and age with the advances in technology and pain medications. Just not good enough. My one piece of advice would be to perhaps seek some counselling for post traumatic stress and particularly now that you are not so keen on further surgery. Whether that be for WL or perhaps for something else that might be needed down the track. One other suggestion would be to make a complaint to the hospital or the ombudsman. All hospitals should have a system set up for complaints. If you don't make a complaint then perhaps nothing will change, but if you do, perhaps it may help another patient down the track. Entirely up to you of course, and I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to just forget the whole thing. Anyway, am glad that your ordeal is over. And good luck with your weight loss 'journey'. and thank you for sharing. It is important for all people considering surgery regardless of what that surgery is, to know some of the pitfalls and risks. Hospitals should be held accountable for any mistreatment. Ciao for now. xxxxxxxx | |
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Maryanne79 Newbie
Number of posts : 23 Age : 45 Location : Melbourne, Australia Registration date : 2010-02-25
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Fri 14 May 2010, 3:23 am | |
| Thanks Dark.... youre right it is important to know the risks...
the bottom line is....anything negative that can happen with WLS can be fixed (that im aware of)....its a matter whether or not...youre willing to potentially go through all that hassle....maybe i will be again one day...who knows how lifes gonna go....
i will stay online and keep you posted about my struggle with WL....hopefully ill have a happier story to tell ....
all the best to you guys x | |
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darkstar Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 1144 Location : Adelaide Registration date : 2010-01-11
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Wed 12 May 2010, 1:41 pm | |
| Hi Maryanne,
I think Issi had a similar experience of feeling "kidnapped" by her hospital. Her nurses were very aggressive about isolating her, so I'm sure she'll sympathise.
I'm really sorry it's left such psychological scars -- but it's totally understandable that it would. It's really important that tales like yours get told on this site. We all need to know what could happen, both in procedures that go smoothly, and those that go really wrong.
Good luck with non-hospital oriented weight-loss! Keep us posted!
Best,
Dark | |
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Maryanne79 Newbie
Number of posts : 23 Age : 45 Location : Melbourne, Australia Registration date : 2010-02-25
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Wed 12 May 2010, 5:56 am | |
| thanks for that applesauce...its a generous offer, information / planning is certainly vital when opting for surgery, particularly when you have little faith in the general medical profession....
I may take you up your offer some day....but i sincerely hope not :P
cheers x | |
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applesauce Top Poster
Number of posts : 1999 Location : Perth Western Australia Registration date : 2008-05-26
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Tue 11 May 2010, 4:54 am | |
| I am a hosptial phob as weell having had a disasterious surgery years ago. If you ever decide you want to give it another go as in go back for a sleeve i am more than happy to walk you step by step though how to avoid all the BAD experences you had in hospital. How to lay down a plan, think a birthing plan you can do exactly the same for surgery and have EVERYBODY agree to it prior to surgry that way they ALL have to follow it.
The trick and many and varied to make hospital less hospital and to stop what might seem like the siliest fears and give you back 100% control over your pain meds for starters.
I know now is not right for you but if you ever change your mind just ask :)
applesauce | |
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Maryanne79 Newbie
Number of posts : 23 Age : 45 Location : Melbourne, Australia Registration date : 2010-02-25
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Tue 11 May 2010, 1:06 am | |
| Thanks for your kind words guys....
I did have a lot of family support while in hospital, my gorgeous sister in law came in everyday, brought my little nephew in to cheer me up....she made me get up and go for a walk everyday - bless her.... WLS is so great for so many....and if it wasnt for this little' hiccup I'd still be on schedule to have my sleeve done in a few months....but i just couldnt do it....i have trouble even visiting the hospital for post op appointments...i 'hate' the place... and i dont use that word often.... i think when you really try and persevere....life gives you what you need.....so i am in a sense grieving the loss of my weight loss tool....the band or the sleeve....
but the band taught me to eat small...and im going to do everything in my power to maintain those habbits.... I never use big plates anymore- as a rule....
and i love my shiny new bike :P
thanks again guys... | |
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sue Top Poster
Number of posts : 3609 Age : 60 Location : balga WA Registration date : 2008-06-15
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Mon 10 May 2010, 3:31 pm | |
| its very scary the government is doing lap band on kids i have a friend whos daughter is waiting to get on the public list for PMH in perth to get a lap band they are going to do wat is required but actually will ask for the sleeve instead this young girl aged 14 15 in a few months is 144kgs and 5ft8 My friend herself is over 150kgs i will be going with them to their appts wen possible and want to make sure she gets a lot of counselling before hand
This family have been through alot including the childrens father being put on fire wen he opened his front door one night that was 5 or 6 years ago there was not enough counselling done for this family and it makes me angry so im trying to get them alot of support at the moment i tried while the father was at royal perth for so long nothing happen sorry went on a bit im concerened for them | |
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TexasBell Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 239 Location : Sydney Registration date : 2009-11-05
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Mon 10 May 2010, 2:32 pm | |
| Maryanne, so so awful to hear another horrific lapband and hospital trauma. I know from experience (unrelated to wls) that it can take a long time to get over, kind of like a ptsd. I keep wondering why are they still doing this to ppl, and so worried the government is talking about banding teens! It does scare me when you say the nurses see a lot of sleeve pts with fistulas, didn't know that was a risk. All the best for your recovery and health. | |
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Libby Top Poster
Number of posts : 1975 Age : 52 Location : Adelaide, Australia Registration date : 2009-07-04
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Mon 10 May 2010, 10:14 am | |
| Oh Maryanne what a horrific time you have had. It seems the lapband does so much damage that we just don't know about. I think myself extremely lucky to have had a lapband for 6 years and have no major issues. Also check Helen64 diary. She cannot have any more surgery. The doctor just will not operate as it is too risky. Unfortunatley the bigger this forum becomes the more 'horror' stories we are going to hear. There are risks with all surgeries. Last year at one of our bigger public hospitals in adelaide a child died having her wisdom teeth out. We all need to remember that this is serious surgery. Take care of yourself Maryanne. Maybe you have had the 'scare' that will make you the winner in the diet and excersize game. | |
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sssss Top Poster
Number of posts : 2844 Age : 61 Location : perth Registration date : 2010-03-12
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Mon 10 May 2010, 1:01 am | |
| Hi Maryanne...
What a tough time you have had....so glad you are now home and feeling well.
You might also want to look at TGirl's diary....she also has had lapband removed...not the nightmare you had but has been told there is no way she can ever have sleeve or other WL surgery. Congrats on the great weight loss.
S | |
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sandy_lou Part of the furniture
Number of posts : 579 Age : 51 Location : Newcastle Registration date : 2010-02-15
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 09 May 2010, 10:02 pm | |
| Oh Maryanne, what a nightmare! You poor thing, I'm so sorry you went through all this. Way to go with the bike riding, 10kg is a great loss, all the best with your recovery. | |
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TGirl Newbie
Number of posts : 117 Location : Canberra Registration date : 2010-01-05
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 09 May 2010, 1:58 pm | |
| OMFG!!! I cannot BEGIN to understand how horrific the last month must have been for you. Did you have any support network during your hospital incarceration? OMG I can't believe your story, I had to re-read it twice with my hubby. I'm crying in empathy as I cannot fathom how this medical system put you through this disgusting chain of treatment??????? I hope you are feeling much better very, very soon. ps; and i'm really bl@#dy glad you are tube free!!! | |
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Maryanne79 Newbie
Number of posts : 23 Age : 45 Location : Melbourne, Australia Registration date : 2010-02-25
| Subject: Re: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 09 May 2010, 12:56 pm | |
| sorry--typo there....
I meant to write......
"I'm NOW tube free " :) | |
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Maryanne79 Newbie
Number of posts : 23 Age : 45 Location : Melbourne, Australia Registration date : 2010-02-25
| Subject: Eroded Lapband Removal NIGHTMARE!!! Sun 09 May 2010, 12:47 pm | |
| Well guys I just had an awful experience and I wanted to share my nightmare....
I went in for a simple eroded lapband removal surgery.....I expected to be in hospital for a day or two, and had all intentions of getting a sleeve in 3 months.... BUT... There is a dirty word associated to weightloss surgery that my surgeon had previously failed to mention....even when i asked him about alllll the risks....that word is FISTULAs
"In medicine, a fistula (pl. fistulas or fistulae) is an abnormal connection or passageway between two epithelium-lined organs or vessels that normally do not connect. It is generally a disease condition, but a fistula may be surgically created for therapeutic reasons."
Theyre quite common with eroded lapband removal, there are mass infections in your abdomen, pockets of infection, tissues expanding, swelling....creating cavities of infection. I got 2....at first they only noticed my inital drain tube was drain a great deal.... so they deemed me 'nil oral' a few ice chips a day only (my mouth ended up so dry and cracked-I bled often) then they sent me down for a CT scan and to have a PICC line inserted into my left arm (peripherally inserted central catheter - a tube inserted in your vein).... all my hydration and nutrients were now being fed to me intravenously....everywhere i went I had a big wheelie pole with 2 machines attached...it was heavy, awkward....and made me miserable....showering was- simply a nightmare....i dreaded it daily. The surgeon and the physician would visit seperately everyday...my blase' surgeon was optimistic from the begining ..."no biggie maryanne, you'll be out in a week", the physician was more of a realist... "could be weeks, could be months maryanne, but I'll be very supprised if youre out in a week"
*sigh* then I developed Pluracy - that was fun....felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest...made it very difficult to breath, I was on oxygen almost all of the time for the first week and a half....at one stage it got so bad, I thought i was having an asthma attack, they did an EGC, they thought i was having a mild heart attack (so shocked) but it didnt last that long so they never seemed to know either way..... the basic problem with having this pluracy was.... in order to keep that 'elephant off my chest' I needed to keep my pain management under control....but the nurses wouldnt give me 6 hrly IV panadol and alternate 6 hrly morphine & maxalon (for nausea)....because new hospital policy is to WAIT until the patient asks....before administering pain or nausea meds.....I fought tooth and nail...but they simply refused to wake me for either through the night....so I honestly suffered terribly that first week and a half....I was scared to sleep, even though I was extremely fatigued.....I was affraid I'd wake up not only gasping for air....but with severe nausea....I vomited ever second day....constantly fighting back saliva.... I was setting my phone every 3 hrs to call the nurses for my medication, when youre very sick, and your so tired all the time....honestly its the LAST thing I should have had to have worried about..hospitals have gone to the dogs. The nurses didnt like me that first week, but god damn it, if they dont have a sense of empathy theyre in the wrong job!!! ..... anyhoo....
then my temp was out of control...spiking to 39 - 40 degress...(I was sweating or shivering constantly) so off i went to have another CT scan - prior to this one i had to drink this dreadful yellow dishwashing liquid...thats what it tastes like...only worse (I ended up vomiting after the CT scan ) the CT scan was no walk in the park because its incredibly difficult to lay flat - unaided - just after abdo surgery....noone would even help me up... (no lift policy- blah) in the end....they found a second fistula - awesome..... so I had to have a drain tube inserted...whilst conscious....I was told it wouldnt hurt...I felt every centimetre of that sharp tool stab into and across my chest...I scream and cried....I yelled at them "how can you people perform this on a conscious patient for F*&!! sake!" .....they said it was safer than using general anesthetic (the doc didnt give the local anesthetic time to work!! it honestly made no diff.)
so that was the worst of it....then I waited...every day...sitting and waiting, constantly uncomfortable, constantly upset...Ive never been chained and caged before....I didnt take it too well....the worst part about fistulas....there is no way of knowing when they'll heal...I had nurses telling me stories of patients going home with drain tubes for up to 12 months! Noone knew when I might get to go home....there was no light at the end of the tunnel- misery.
I was very worried, very depressed....it was the hardest thing ive ever had to endure....i'd make a terrible prisoner....an even worse patient :) on top of everything my two room mates (at different times - 2 beds per room).... well ...lets just say- the shared bathroom was often covered in their faecies.... I was very sad....definately had the hospital blues.....Im not a crier....but i cried every single day.. after 3 weeks I was sent home suddenly.....I wasnt gonna complain....I no longer cared for my health - only my freedom...
I had 2 drain tubes in for 2 weeks at home...and hospital in the home nurses would come to my house everyday to change my many abdo dressings (there were some issues I wont go into - another thing to worry about)....
Im not tube free.....and so very grateful to have my body back...in tact...
I cant even consider getting a sleeve now....its just not possible for me to Voluntarily enter a hospital again....it has profoundly scarred me ....even to the point.,...i threw out my hospital nighties- threw out my toiletries bag....I cant bare to look at anything that reminds me of my intense misery ...and it was intense...
if you have your health - you have EVERYTHING....
I bought a bicycle...Ive lost 10 kilos....and I am gonna do this the old fashioned way...its not really a choice anymore- I just have to....
so.... not a nice story.... but its important people know the risks..... I certainly always wanted to know...and the nurses told me they see a lot of lapband and sleeve patients in with fistulas...
I wish you all the very best of luck on your journeys....god knows I'm gonna need some :) xx | |
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