maclynn

My port is right where my waistband marks are on my stomach under my left breast. I have no trouble lying down or sitting. Its when I stand that it seems to ache as if everything is being dragged down. I can't imagine leaving the hospital as quickly as you did. The nurses kept urging me to stay overnight but I was glad to be home in my own bed last night.

Ooops, posted this in the wrong place. Let's try again! Well, yesterday was my surgery. It went very well. DH and I got up at 4:30am in order to get there at 5:30. About 7:30am they wheeled me into the surgery room. The last thing I truly remember was the oxygen mask being placed over my face. Next thing I knew they were calling my name and telling me I was in recovery and everything had gone fabulously. I looked at the clock and it was about 8:45am. They brought DH in to say ‘hi’ before making him go back to the waiting room but let him in because it would be a while before they had a bed for me. In fact it was after 1pm by the time they got me settled into a room. They gave me some pain meds, I think morphine, before taking me to my room. I didn’t need to ask for any more until about 5pm when they gave me my 4oz of broth and 2 oz of juice. I didn’t get nauseous but my stomach ached a little as if sore from using the muscles. I finally got up to use the bathroom. After another dose of meds and a nap, we walked around the floor. After my walk, they came by with a meter for me to take deep breaths and then cough. That caused me some pain so it was another dose of meds and a bit of napping. I had the choice of staying overnight or going home. It really didn’t matter that much to me but DH wouldn’t have slept a wink if he went home without me so we left around 8:30pm. We stopped for my liquid hydrocodone and headed home. I noticed that one of my incisions was aggravated by my pants but I’m keeping an eye in it. I was all tucked up in my bed by 11pm. Woke in the middle of the night with a headache which they explained I could get from the gas. Today I’m only in pain when I shift from lying to sitting to standing and vise versa. Not hungry at all and have only managed one Protein shake so far. I’m on full liquids today and move to pureed foods tomorrow. I’m not walking as much as I’d intended but this is a time for healing so that is what I am going to focus on.

I am so sorry about your pain. I was wondering since I didn't have any if it waited to start days later. I hope it gets better soon.

This sounds really gross but in my booklet from the doctor is said if you get meat stuck, try a teaspoon of meat tenderizer in 4oz of warm water and sip slowly.

I just had my surgery yesterday and am pain free from gas. The only associated gas pain was a headache in the middle of the night but today its gone. Best of luck to you.

Well, yesterday was my surgery. It went very well. The DH and I got up at 4:30am in order to get there at 5:30. About 7:30am they wheeled me into the surgery room. The last thing I truly remember was the oxygen mask being placed over my face. Next thing I knew they were calling my name and telling me I was in recovery and everything had gone fabulously. I looked at the clock and it was about 8:45am. They brought my DH in to say ‘hi’ before making him go back to the waiting room but let him in because it would be a while before they had a bed for me. In fact it was after 1pm by the time they got me settled into a room. They gave me some pain meds, I think morphine, before taking me to my room. I didn’t need to ask for any more until about 5pm when they gave me my 4oz of broth and 2 oz of juice. I didn’t get nauseous but my stomach ached a little as if sore from using the muscles. I finally got up to use the bathroom. After another dose of meds and a nap, we walked around the floor. After my walk, they came by with a meter for me to take deep breaths and then cough. That caused me some pain so it was another dose of meds and a bit of napping. I had the choice of staying overnight or going home. It really didn’t matter that much to me but DH wouldn’t have slept a wink if he went home without me so we left around 8:30pm. We stopped for my liquid hydrocodone and headed home. I noticed that one of my incisions was aggravated by my pants but I’m keeping an eye in it. I was all tucked up in my bed by 11pm. Woke in the middle of the night with a headache which they explained I could get from the gas. Today I’m only in pain when I shift from lying to sitting to standing and vise versa. Not hungry at all and have only managed one protein shake so far. I’m on full liquids today and move to pureed foods tomorrow. I’m not walking as much as I’d intended but this is a time for healing so that is what I am going to focus on.

Hey Maybaby, My doctor did not put me on a liquid diet at all. It all depends on the doctor and your starting weight. Best of luck!

I too am being banded tomorrow. 24 hours from now I'll be in surgery. And I started my process 11 months ago so I know how you feel! Good luck to all of us!

Best of luck Acasner. I too had to do the six month supervised diet and exercise. Then I had a two week cruise so couldn't get into the surgeon's for a few weeks. Two weeks after than they called to say I was approved. Had been a little nervous because I slipped under the 40 BMI but it seemed all was well. Good Luck!

Mutti, Your story sounds almost identical to mine with the exception of cancer in my immediate family. I think too many people focus on the pounds and not the BMI.

Hi Everyone, I met with both the nutritionist and my doctor's associate this past week and was told that I do not need a pre-op diet and my post op diet is not as strict as most. I was really surprised by that. I too have about 70 pounds to lose. I just wish Wednesday was here! Good luck to all of us getting banded soon.

Thank you! My last Friday without a band!

Hi everyone! Like most of you, I'm excited and in a hurry for next Wednesday to be here. Met with the nutritionist Monday to get my instructions and was very surprised at my doctor's approach to diet. No pre-op except to fast for 12 hours before surgery. Post op is 2 days clear, 2 days full then 2 weeks mushies and 2 weeks soft. Best of luck to all of you!

Hi Neil, Just yesterday I saw the surgeon's associate to go over my pre-op results. Things are good but they saw some bacteria in my urnine sample so put me on an sulfer drug. Had an appointment with the nutritionist on Monday to review my post-op diet. I'm surprised that I'm only 1-2 days clear then 1-2 days full liquid before going to 2 weeks of mushies then another 2 weeks of soft. My surgery is next Wednesday but also am not on a pre-op diet. Best of luck to you!

Hi 3boyzmom, I have read a couple of places that BCBS is one of the easier places to get approved but each state and plan is different. I started my process last June by asking my pcp if I was a candidate for a LapBand. She said yes and gave me a referral. I had to attend a seminar first and in the mean time I check my insurance qualifications. It required a 6 month physician supervised diet and exercise. Needless to say, I didn't get my appointment with the bariatric surgeon until February. By that time I was just under 40 BMI and the doctor said I might not qualify. I was so upset. A few weeks later I was called to tell me I was approved. Due to a work conflict, I was unable to schedule my surgery until 5/6. The past four weeks have been the hardest. Good luck to you and I hope everything goes smoothly!

I'm getting banded on May 6th. I had asked if I could work from home the following week but the doctor's assistant said it wasn't a good idea to sit for too long so I will be returning to work on the 18th. Thankfully I have short term disability that will cover my time off. Good Luck to everyone!

Best of Luck to you!!!!!

That makes sense because I've read more than a couple have been repaired with the banding. And I sure agree with the barium statement. I dread the thought of more of it. At least it doesn't give me the same reaction as Pepto. That stuff is like an immediate inducer of vomiting for me!

Hey Riane, I didn't have to have the bilateral doppler ultrasound of the legs, clearance from a gynocologist or clearance from a pulmonologist, but went through everything else. I have to have a physical next on the 28th the surgery the following week. Thanks for taking a moment to satisfy my curiosity!

Ah, okay. I wasn't aware of that. It must be my doctor's standard procedure as it was pre-printed on the form they sent.

Hi Amy, I felt exactly that way too! My daughter came with me and she is not overweight, well except for a few baby pounds that haven't come off. I kept feeling that people were wondering why I was there. But after 40 years of diet and gaining. Plus high blood pressure and sure to be other complications if I didn't loose the weight, I was determined to get some help. Best of luck to you!

Thanks, RM. I was a little curious since I've read several times that people had barium post op and seemed surprised by how nasty it was and wondered that they hadn't had it pre-op. I don't know the results of my tests but hope they are normal. I go for a physical with the surgeon's associate on the 28th. The doctor was about to send me for a sleep study to help ensure my insurance coverage when they approved me but I don't think I have sleep apnea. I just wish May 6th was here!

Just curious. Yesterday I went through a battery of tests and was wondering if every doctor runs you through the same testing. I had blood work, an EKG, ultra-sound of my internal organs, chest x-ray, upper GI (barium, yuck!) and x-rays of my abdomen.

Hi cydaisy, My visits cost me my co-pay, which is $15 each office visit. But yes, if you don't have insurance, it was the cost of an office visit for all six of my appoinments. Thank you so much for the well wishes. I just had all my pre-op testing done this morning. Almost there!

Oh, that is me right now. I'm trying so hard to diet and not gain back what I lost but its so hard. I want this to be done yesterday!