beanbean

Hey all--
I cannot tell you how much these stories of people's operations helped me PRE-OP (like a few days before the surgery), so I am positing mine. I cannot type terribly well because of the pain killers, so please excuse typos.
I was banded May 8th, 2008 at 1:05PM. I was scheduled for 12PM but my Doctor was running late.
I arrived at the hospital (Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC) at 10AM with my parents, fiance, and brother. I was taken to pre-op around 10:15 where I changed into a gown and those circulation stockings and grippy socks. I had to remove my underwear, which I didn't want to do. But, they make you go BUCK-NAKED. My mom took my clothes for me. I had taken off/out all my jewelry prior to surgery, which they asked me like 20 times.
They weighed me and I had lost 8 pounds since my initial weigh-in at the hospital, which I was elated about, considering I only dieted for 4 days or so, the rest of the time was the embarassing month-long last supper. They stuck me for my IV right away and got me on fluids while I waited.
Lot of weighting ensued until noon. My fiance and dad goofed around with me until then. My dad going so far as to say that I have big legs than looking embarassed and saying, "Well, you're about to lose 40-60% of your excess weight in the next year, let me get a few jabs in." Lol.
I met my anesthesiologist's (sp?) nurse at 12:15. God, she was a sweetheart. I asked, "Do you promise you'll take care of me?" She replied with, "Hunny, you have never known such a good lil rest as your about to get. I swear that I will do everything in my power to take the best care of you." She was sooooo nice. Then, I met my RN at about12:55. She asked me if I had to go pee and I did, carrying the IV bag along with me. At this point and never during had I received that blood-thinner shot, only one IV, no other pokes.
My anesthesiologist's nurse had told me she'd give me a calm-down cocktail right after the RN talked to me, but I went STRAIGHT to the OR at that point. The sweet anesthesiologist's nurse put a mask over my mouth and rubbed my hair and said "Rest, pumpkin." and I was out like a light in 15-30 seconds.
I woke up with my Doctor holding my hand. Everything was REALLY cloudy. No pain. I recognized him and asked, "Was my liver too big?" as this was my BIGGEST concern. He laughed and said it was perfect, said he spent about an hour inside me and I was just fine. I smiled and closed my eyes again.
Fast forward about 5 minutes and I am in Recovery 1 with a nice male nurse at my constant attention. He asks if I am in pain and I am, slightly. I tell him 2 on a scale of 1 to 10. He gives me another dose of Dellatid (sp?) and the world gets fuzzy and happy again. He is monitoring me and I have two IVs in now (they placed one while I was asleep) and sensors all over me and an oxygen thing in my nose. I tell him I hate the oxygen thing, as it itches. He says, "Well, let's get it out of there! But, you gotta keep your oxygen above 92" He removes the tube and the machine starts to beep as my oxygen falls. I have to take deep breaths. They don't hurt, they're just a hassle.
He gives me some ice cubes. They were almost orgasmic. They were so delicious on my dry and soar throat. No pain in my belly, but a stiffness. Time goes by, slowly and very foggy. I wave to the lady in the recovery bed across from mine. She waves back. That was nice. Fast forward about 20 minutes in the haze and my male nurse asks how my pain is. It's starting to come back. More Dellatid (sp?). I am allergic to morphine, that's why I get the Dellatid and he tells me it's the good stuff. He feeds me more ice chips and ask if I want to go to Recovery 2, since my oxygen is stabilizing. I had to concentrate on it for a while. I said yes. Dr. Enochs comes by first and holds my hand.
He tells me again I was fine and he said he talked to my parents, brother, and fiance and I am fine. Nothing to worry about. He made me promise to stick to the post-op diet. I did. He asked about pain. None then, just the haze. He fed me an ice chip and asked if I wanted anything. I said I wanted to go home and he laughed. He said you'll be fine and cleared me to go home.
I wanted to go home.
I went to Recovery 2 and saw my mom, dad, fiance, and brother all at once. They saw me and I saw the concern in their faces. I was beat up looking, they said. I hadn't looked at the incisions yet and I showed them, not bad. The Recovery 2 nurse asked me if I could get dressed. I knew instinctually I could not bend so I said yes if my mom can help me. I stood up, hazey, but no pain, and my mom helped me get dressed. Five minutes later my dad and fiance were on the way to the pharmacy and my mom was walking beside my wheelchair out the door. I got in the van.
This is where hell starts. I still swear to you the car ride was the worse. I offer everyone the advice if you have more than a 20 minute car ride, consider a hotel. I was NAUSEOS beyond my wildest dreams. No pain. Just soooooooooo dizzy and disoriented and flippy-stomach'ed.
Fifteen minutes of hell with my eyes closed and I was home. My mom helped in and I felt the slightest twinges of pain. I got some liquid Loratab which is just Hydrocodone and I felt wasted. Some stiffness, some pain, maybe 3 on a scale of 1-10. I walked around... A LOT, because the Loratab made me hyper. I wasn't tired anymore. Stiff, some light, VERY tolerable pain. This was around 4:30PM
Here's the WEIRD thing about the pain... it is ONLY at my port incision sight. The other four incisions I do not feel at ALL. The port incision itself doesn't hurt, it's a deeper pain, like someone punched me in the gut. All in all, it's very manageable.
My doctor said I could have sugar (please follow your Doctor's office) so I had some Apple juice at first. Too sweet. Watered it down with 3 parts Water, one part apple juice and all better.
I sipped, walked, sat, then played Wii Mario Kart with everyone for a while. The made me dizzy after a few minutes. I rested, watched Office, drank more apple juice (a few cups in all). I wasn't hungry. Just hazy, hyper, and thirsty. Very full, like I had just eated at a buffet.
Pain is still very manageable around a 3 on a scale of 1-10. Take the Loratab though. I had some turkey broth around 10PM. It was delicious, and I've never liked broth before. Just a few sips and I was full.
I had gas pain around 11PM. Sucked on a Gas tab right away and it went away. Not bad at all. Maybe 10 minutes of discomfort.
The process of sitting and standing is painful but walking and laying down is not. I am sitting up on my laptop to write this and while a little incomfortable, it is not intolerable.
I have pictures of incisions about 2 hours post-op my mom took and I will post them later.
It's 6am and I just woke up about 45 minutes ago. Not in pain. Just... awake.
All in all, a lot less traumatic than I expected. Pain is VERY manageable. Not scared at all anymore. I am excited about this band.
My mom is calling the doctor today to see if I can have pudding. That will be exciting if I can. If not, Protein shakes. I'm not hungry really, not now. But the prospect of a lil pudding when I am sounds delightful.
Anywho bandsters, hope this has helped you as much as your stories helped me pre-op.
BTW, stick to your Doctor's orders, mine didn't say anything about it so I slept on my left side (port is on right), very comfortable, no pain. Loved it. Can't sleep on my back.
Will post those pictures later. I'm going to rest now.
Here is the picture. My mom isn't up yet so I just took one with my phone. Just 4 lil incisions and one big one. Click on the picture to zoom in.

thanks for the update. please keep posting. i'm glad you decided to stay overnight

ok, so 5/5/8 @ 7am i got my band. spent the entire day in the hospital. i was planning on doing it outpatient but as the day went on, and due to the gas pains, i stayed the night.
they told me i wouldn't be able to eat until the next morning b/c of my upper GI that they had to do.
after a little kicking and asking i got a bowl of chicken broth, Jello and h20 right around 9pm (Monday).. and i'll tell you that was the best freaking meal i can remember having in a long time. weird thing was that i put on 5 lbs in the hospital. i guess all the IV fluids and whatnot.
did my upper GI today and left the hospital at 10:15am feeling pretty good. got some gas pains, but that is to be expected. i went on a little walk to p/u my daughter from her school. the walk was about 6blocks...and man, did it feel like someone kicked me right in the chest. or better yet, it felt like i was in a car accident and hit the steering wheel with my chest.
but as soon as i sit down, i start to feel a little be better.
had some broth today (twice) and had my first vanilla Protein smoothie (about 8oz). ...on the path.
more updates to come.

I was banded yesterday morning @ 8:45 am at St. Margaret's Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.
The check in and prep went well. The surgery was very short. I was in recovery and awake by 9:50!
Upstair to a room by 11:45 am and up and around by 2 pm. I sat in the chair most of the afternoon. About 2.5 hours -- although I think I slept 2.4 hours of that time!
Got thru the night very well -- up several times to urinate.
I was discharged by 10:30 this morning and on my way home.
I'm feeling pretty well -- took a hit of liquid roxicet to be sure I could tolerate it. I have problems with several of the other pain meds, but it helped for the ride home.
I've been up and around some at home, most of my pain is at the port site. But compared to the pain post back surgery this past August? This was a cinch!
I'm going to take it easy for the next few days -- sitting/walking as much as possible, so I can be ready to return to work on Monday. I'm on Clear liquids until I can see the doc 5/16.
For those who are still waiting, I say -- it's worth the wait! :biggrin2:

Hi all. I was banded a week ago today. I know everyone is different but I hope I can provide a positive story and alleviate some fears for those who are still waiting for their band. I lost 22 lbs on a mostly liquid diet for six weeks pre-surgery and I've lost 6 lbs in the week since my surgery for a total of 28 lbs lost since March 18.
I went in at 7 am last Tuesday and my surgery was scheduled for 9:15. I was taken to a pre-surgery prep room to get into a gown and get my vitals, take a pregnancy test (required for all pre-menopausal women), etc. My husband was allowed to be with me during this part and my daughter (age 20) was able to come back after the first 20 minutes or so. They put compression garments on my legs to reduce the risk of blood clots. They started my IV and gave me relaxation medication which I was told would feel like drinking two glasses of wine really fast on an empty stomach - and it pretty much did! About 9 am I said goodbye to my husband and daughter and was taken into the OR. I got onto the operating table and the nurses and techs talked to me a bit as they got things organized and then a mask was put over my mouth and that's the last I remember of surgery.
I was awakened in the recovery area where I dozed a little and talked a little here and there to nurses. I had a few ice chips. I don't know how long I was there. Seemed like a few minutes but was probably an hour or more.
Then I was taken to a day surgery recovery room - just like a standard hospital bed - where my husband and daughter joined me. The nurses got me comfortable and had me drink sips of Water. I was talking and I remember talking and drinking water (my throat was sore and I was SO thirsty) but I don't really remember any specifics about conversation or anything like that.
After about 30 minutes in bed I asked if I could go to the bathroom so the nurse took off my compression garments and unhooked my IV and helped me to the bathroom. You have to pass urine in order to leave the hospital and that went fine.
I took a little walk around the nursing station and around the ward. Felt okay. No pain. A little unsteady and a little nauseous but overall pretty good.
The weight loss surgery coordinator came in and talked to us for a little while. She's really nice and is inspirational. She has lost 130 lbs with her band and looks beautiful. Says it's absolutely the best decision she's ever made (other than the husband and kids of course!).
I was definitely wanting to get into my own clothes and get home so I asked if I could leave around 1 pm or so. They had wanted me to stay until at least 4 pm. The nurse evaluated me a little more - had to walk more, etc. and then released me at around 2:30. The ride home was kind of rough - I was nauseous and kind of disoriented.
When I got home, things were tougher still. The nausea from the anesthetic set in and I had trouble with my pain meds because of the nausea. I was pretty miserable the first day. I know I cried a couple of times. It was hard to get out of bed and hard to walk around much. Mostly I was just very very nauseous rather than in a lot of pain. My doctor says women usually have a tougher time with nausea from surgery than men. Because of all the anti-nausea medications they had given me I managed to get it through it without vomiting so that was a relief.
Each day since the first has been better. I had pain in the left shoulder - pretty severe the first 4 or 5 days. That has now disappeared. I am now able to sleep on both sides - as well as my tummy - with no problems (the first night I was flat on my back and the second night I was able to sleep on the non-port side for a few hours at a time). I still have some discomfort just under the sternum and a little near the port area. Definitely manageable. I don't notice it too much unless I sit up in a chair for long periods of time or bend over to tie my shoes or something similar.
I am walking a fair amount. Did about 2.5 miles yesterday and will probably do about the same today. Am only at half-speed or so from my pre-surgery speed but it's getting better.
I would definitely recommend being careful about rushing the full liquids or even mushy foods (which I can't have for another two weeks). Sipping slowly is really important. Even on full liquids I find that if I drink too much of something too quickly I get pain in the shoulder and the sternum. I don't feel like I'm ready for anything more than liquids right now (it sounds good in my head but I can tell my stomach isn't there yet). I try to alternate Clear Liquids with thicker liquids. The clear liquids definitely feel better - although the thicker ones are better for hunger obviously.
Yesterday was the first day since the surgery that I felt any hunger. Because I still have some discomfort/pain I wasn't tempted to try anything more than Soup or a Protein shake. I get pretty full after about a half cup of soup or shake. I know that there's still swelling and that the fullness will go away soon and I'll be hungrier.
Today is my first day back at work. I worked in my office for about 4 hours this morning. I had to get up and walk around several times because of discomfort from sitting upright for too long. I know I'll be tired when I get home this evening. I may leave a little early depending on work flow. I know some people on this board said they went to work a day or two after surgery and I think that's really impressive. I definitely needed the whole week off to recuperate.
This weekend my husband and I went and ran some errands and I was okay for a couple of hours and then I had to go home and lie in bed and rest for a while. I am almost completely off my pain meds. I started to reduce them on my third day and yesterday I took two separate half-doses. Today I have taken one-half of a dose. I may need another one later this afternoon. We'll see. My doctor told me to use them if I need them and not to try to get off of them too soon. He gave me two weeks worth of pain meds and said I'd probably be able to be off of them around the one week mark and that's been about right. My husband is much tougher than I am and I know he probably would have taken one dose and then just toughed it out but I'm kind of a baby about pain so I take them when I feel like I need them to be comfortable.
So, that's my story. I've been on mostly liquids for 7 weeks and have lost 28 pounds. I'm already off of my high blood pressure medication and my diabetes medication and my acid reflux medication due to the weight I've lost. (My reflux completely disappeared the day of the surgery.) I feel really good. My energy is coming back and all of the headaches and other problems I had when I first went to liquids have disappeared.
Another two weeks of liquids and then I can have pureed/mushy foods for three weeks and then I start solid foods. I'm excited to get back to a wider variety of foods but I also think this detox period has been good for me emotionally as well as physically. I still go out to lunch with my girlfriends just to socialize (I either bring Protein powder and order a glass of milk to mix it in or have soup depending on what kind they have). It hasn't been too hard. Whenever I have cravings I try really hard to focus on the long-term benefit to all of this and not the short-term temptations. That's definitely not to say I've been a saint because I haven't. I cheated on my pre-surgery diet here and there. There were definitely times I just couldn't stand another sweet shake. I ate a few bites of my husband's food from time and time and even had whole meals at other times. I was always careful to get back on the liquids for several days after a cheat but I had trouble going more than about 3 days without solid food.
I'm going to try really hard not to cheat on my post-surgery diet because I want to give my insides a good chance to heal properly. My surgeon said it takes six weeks for the scar tissue to form properly and that it's important not to do anything that might cause slippage or other problems. Right now I know the pain and nausea I'd feel from eating real food would not be worth it. Plus, I paid a lot of money for this band and I'm just plain tired of being unhealthy and overweight and I don't want to jeopardize anything. Right now, my motivation is really high and my attitude is great. That doesn't mean that tomorrow I won't be fighting off ordering a pizza!
Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience. I have great confidence in my surgeon and his team and I feel like I have a lot of support (I've had to do a little education of some friends and family members to get them there but overall they have all been wonderful). My husband and kids have been fabulous! I also appreciate the answers and support I have gotten on this website. I am feeling really hopeful about my future for the first time in a long time.
Best of luck to each and every one of us in this challenging journey!!

I just read Freedoms banding story and loved how positive it was. Basically I had the same surgery experience she did.
The morning of the surgery I wa so hungry...I was glad to be getting this done. The nurses were so cheerful and careful with my IV...numbing my hand first and everything. There was no pain at all for that, and I am afraid of needles so I really appreciated that.
They gave a dose of what they called "happy juice" which supposedly relaxes people until their turn in the OR. Well I am VERY sensitive to medications and I dont remember anything from that point on until I woke up after surgery.
My first thought was that it was hard to take a breath in, but the pain wasn't terrible. I had to wake up and walk around and pee before they would release me. I was sore...kind of like being kicked in the gut by a horse...a little breathless, but really not bad.
I had a 45 minute ride home that I remember being miserable for, but once I got home and took my pain meds I felt so much better.
The day of surgery I had awful shoulder pain, but by the next day that was gone.
Today is day three and I'm doing great. I wish I had Freedoms family support. All I have had is merciless teasing, and everybody eating food in front of me and cracking jokes. I'm really quite sick of them.
I hope you all have as good of a support system as Freedom does.
Oh yeah, Ive lost 4 pounds already...YAY!!!

4/23/08 down 28lbs

I can give you a tip for when y'all go out and want to blend in...
For about a year in college I went through a "zero drinking" phase. (Too bad that didn't last!) Anyway, I used to order Water with a slice of lemon in it and asked them to put it in a cocktail glass. (Back then it was because everyone would bug me to get a drink. UGH!) It'd help you feel more like you're blending into the crowd. As for when you're going to dinner, just order some grilled chicken or fish and veggies.:biggrin2:

glad everything went well!!!!!!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!!!!

Congrads!!! to all the brave May bandsters that went first. I'm getting excited now (May 13th). I think it was a great idea to get all of our feedback on our surgery in one place. I'll post here too, as soon as I can - after my surgery. I'll say a prayer for each and every one of us, and if you don't mind, say a prayer for me too...... :thumbup: