toinette1953

My birthday is September 27th, isn't that something.

You are so welcome. It is difficult also because I am a nurse and I expect people to do their jobs. The nurse anesthesist came into the holding area looking at me like, "Another fat one." It was in his eyes and I told him he needed to sweeten his attitude before he tried to put me to sleep. I asked him if he had a problem, he barked back, "No I don't have any problems!" I am very outspoken when receiving healthcare because I was taught from the old school almost 30 years ago and the lack of respect for patients that I see now is appalling. It makes me act real ugly. Plus I work for an insurance company and that makes me watch even more.

Port site is a little tender and the staples are worrisome. But it is still all tolerable.

Well I made it and I will describe the details of my event on yesterday, May 1st to get my lap band. 1. I presented to the Dallas Regional Hospital at 6:45 in the morning. I had done all of my pre-op things the day before. I was taken back to the Day Surgery area where a nurse prepared me for my day's journey. Of course, I had to disrobe and get into one of the SEE MORE gowns. She attempted to start my IV x 2 attempts and could not get a vein. I did not have a Foley catheter for this. My vital signs were taken and another history was obtained to be sure they did not miss anything in RE: meds, past illnesses, complications from previous anethesia, etc. 2. After clearing this area, I was transported to a holding area right outside of the surgery suite. It was about 9:30am at this time. The CRNA-nurse anesthesist came and talked to me and started my IV there. He asked me about my tolerance of anesthesia and my past medical history and meds that I was on,he was delighted to find out that I only took one prescribed medication for hypertension. A surgical nurse also talked to me and asked more questions, again to assure that nothing else was missed in RE: my personal history and my tolerance of anesthesia in the past and allergies to medications. She also asked me I needed to use the bathroom before I went into surgery. I was given a dose of Versed and taken into the actual surgery suite. All present; assisted me in transferring to the surgical bed and a mask was placed over my face and that was all that I remember. :thumbup: 3. I woke up in the recovery room and was told to cough and deep breathe, vital signs were taken as ordered every few minutes. When I became alert and all seemed well, I was taken back to the same nurse I started with in the Day Surgery area.:thumbup: 4. After I was there shortly I was taken to radiology to do a Upper GI with Gastrographin, to see where my band was. I had to drink several swallows of this vile stuff and the radiologist watched it go down. The radiologist notified my doctor that my swallowing was fine and that the liquid was going through the band . I was then taken back to the Day Surgery area. After all was well and I had used the bathroom and ambulated a couple of times, then I was told I could go home. I was discharged at about 3pm. I was given discharge instructions. My surgeon had already given me my pain med prescription- a Stadol Nasal Spay that works well. 5. The pain is compared to doing an excessive amount of sit ups. That is it. I feel bloated from the gas they inserted, but moving around helps that. Continue to cough and deep breath even after you get home, that helps clear the anesthesia from you. Use a pillow for splinting, so you can do good deep coughs and clear your lungs. I have staples in the small incision areas and they are covered with Band Aids. But so far, so good!:thumbup:

Thanks so much for the details, I am being banded on Thursday May 1st and must say I was a little nervous.:blushing:

Congrats to all of you with Tricare. I am with Tricare South and am approved. My surgery is May 1st-Dr. Michel Stephan in Mesquite, TX. This has been a wait! Waiting on Tricare to come around and I am so glad that they did. Took only two days to approve me.

Did not do any diet. I am over 350lbs, have Hypertension which is controlled with medication. Also have had both kneew replaced, so Tricare did not look twice, just approved it quickly!

I was just approved today also and just went in on the 15th, surgery date is pending because I have to do preop things like get a cardiac, respiratory clearances, but will have them next week and the surgery will be the following week, if all goes well.

Hi I am new to the forum, went to see a Dr. Michel Stephan on this Tuesday the 15th of April and got an email from the office this morning TriCare who has been so resistant to Lap Band, approved me this morning. I am so excited and have so many questions.:frown::thumbup: