Had my surgery on Dec 2nd at 12:30. Everything went smoothly with that but afterward, I had a hard time getting my oxygen level up. It drops when I sleep and I kept dozing because of the anesthesia and pain medicine. The nurse finally had me sit in a chair and that seemed to satisfy them so I got to go home about 6pm.

The pain the first couple of days was manageable with the loratab. I never had the shoulder gas pain I read about but from all the sipping, I did get gas. I didn't buy any gas-x so on Sat I had my first outing and hubby and I dropped my books off at the library and then went to Wal-mart for the gas-x and more motrin.

I was beginning to worry because I hadn't had a BM yet and I know that the pain med can cause you to get really constipated. Hope this isn't TMI but I finally had one yesterday afternoon. That's a huge relief.

Now the pain feels like a bad stitch in my side from too much running. I went out on my own today to pick up my prescription refills and to make a quick run through the commissary to get a few groceries. That was too much. I started getting a sharp pain on my left side and had to sit a few minutes, then I didn't think about having to lean over and get stuff out of the grocery basket. I made it home ok and took some motrin as soon as I got here. I'll be taking a dose of loratab at bedtime for sure. In fact, it's about time for that now....later.

Thanks for sharing the start of your journey. I'm getting banded Jan 2/09 and am sometimes overwhelmed by all the info on my soon to be new life! Your comments helped me to slow down and just focus on changes one week at a time. I hope I don't experience too much gas pain. I've read that others have found it helpful to go for little walks - did that help you? Keep in touch - I'll be looking out for your comments. Take care, Joanne