cindersnaz

Hey Tish - Aaahhhh, I remember the anxiety about the whole thing. Honestly, you'll have some pain and then tenderness at the incisions, some pain from the gas and a feeling of fatigue for the first 36 hours or so. All of that will lessen with each passing day. It's VERY important to follow your doctor's instructions to the letter, take your pain meds if you need them (your body needs to heal - surgery is invasive - and fighting the pain takes too much out of you), and remember to walk, walk, walk!!! This will help dispell the gas and your recovery will move along more quickly. I assure you that after 48 hours, you'll be feeling a whole lot better!! My surgery was on Friday morning. Went back to my daughter's that afternoon and slept for about two hours. Had some broth for dinner. Slept fine all night and just relaxed (and walked) at her place the next day. The following day (Sunday), I drove myself home (3 1/2 hours). All that am I'm 52!!!! Sooo, honey, if I can do it, you'll be just fine. Take care - Cindy

Ditto with Steve - I've been using my CPap for about five years now and its my primary reason for wanting to lose this weight!!! Anyways, most hospitals require that you bring it just in case. But since I didn't need to spend the night they didn't use it then or in recovery. Hope this info helps!! Best of luck to you!!!

Hi Kathy!!! AWESOME work, lady!! You're my role model - I was just banded Oct 17th and you are where I WILL be next year. Glad you are making it all work for you!!!

WOW - Amazing how doctors doing this same procedure can have different guidelines. I also had my band placed on Oct 17th and am still on the liquid only stage. Mushies come next this Friday (31st) for a week and then GRADUALLY can re-introduce solid foods. I honestly don't think I could eat much of anything right now. A couple of Protein shakes each day, a container of yogurt and a cup of chicken broth - along with all the Water I need to get down - and I'm good to go. Just hard to understand all the differences, but I always believe you should go with the doctor you are paying!!! Good luck everyone!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! It seems like it takes FOR-ever for the day to arrrive and then, BAM - you're in recovery!!! You're going to do just fine. The hardest part was dealing with the anxiety only to find out it really isn't a big deal. I agree - follow your doctor's instructions to the letter! Stock up on approved menu items and meds (GasX strips) at home. Get a good night's sleep the night before surgery. And one last suggestion, my throat was KILLING me when I awoke from surgery!!! If I could do it over I would be sure to have some throat lozenges and chap stick on hand. Take care - prayers are being sent up for you!! :tongue:

I SECOND THAT!!! Pain radiating up to your jaw accompanied by vomiting can be serious. Please, please promise to call your doctor first thing in the morning. If it happens again before then, go to the emergency room. We may not know each other, but we're all in this together and we care about you!!!! Keep us posted!

OOOOOPS - the person with the Oct 17th surgery date is HersheyMalone - sooorrrrryyyyyy!!!!!!

Hey MacMadame - I have an October 17th B-Day (band day) as well :biggrin:!!! Excited, nervous, anxious, biting my nails :cool2: - yeah, all of the above. Running to the store tomorrow for some last minute things for my recovery (ie, gas-x strips, liquid advil, broth, yogurt, popsicles, etc) Guess I'm just trying to keep busy to keep my mind off things. Hope the next few days go quickly for both of us and then bam, we'll be banded!!! Keep in touch and let me know how you're doing. I'll pray for you and vice versa, ok?? Hugs,

Good luck and best wished Salome!!!! I'm in the hurry up and wait mode (pending insurance approval) but hope to be part of the Smashing Pumpkins!!! Just wanted to send you a prayer for a speedy and pain-free recovery. Take care of you!!!

Gadumplin - Glad to see a post from someone close to my age!!! Part of me thinks I'm too old to worry about this, but the other part says "NO WAY" - you've got years to go yet baby, so make 'em healthy. Yeah, I've seen some boot camps - you are fearless, woman!!! Double thumbs up to you!!!!!!! :smile2:

Thanks for the play by play!! Gives me an idea of what to expect. I too suffer from nausea after anesthesia, so hopefully they'll mix me up a little cocktail for that!! Best wishes to you as you continue to recover!!!

Wow - GREAT ideas!! Thanks everyone - I'm taking notes.

I'm interested in this too!! My hospital is over three hours away and I'll be staying at my daughter's (same area) for a few days til I can drive home. I will be bringing all my drinks, etc - but anything else anyone can suggest would be helpful. Thanks in advance!!!

Hi Froggi - For me, the most important thing that I brought along was my body pillow!!! I never leave home without it and since I would be in a strange place/bed, I wanted to be as comfortable as possible. The study isn't so bad, really. The staff at my sleep Center were very sweet and even watched TV with me before lights out! Good luck with yours -

Dear Chris - As a daughter of an alcoholic (who died at the age of 39 as a direct result of this horrible disease), I applaud your sobriety!!!! As a grown woman starting the process of becoming banded, I appreciate your hard fought battle!!!! You hang in there and as said before, one day at a time, baby!! Take care and keep in touch. Yours is a story of inspiration and courage.