Grandee

Dr Chae is great! Was banded on May 4th, and have my first follow up next week! Dr Chae even called me the day after I ended up in the ER with other problems, my ER Dr had called him while I was there apparently.

My BMI was 68 and my Dr did it. I'm in Colorado and my insurance paid for it.

Ok I finally have time to post this. It’s a book so kudos if you make it through! I read so many stories and drilled my best friend (who got the band years ago and has lost almost 170lbs) with questions so I would know what to expect. Unfortunately things did not go as well as I had hoped, but, I am definitely the exception, not the rule. I was scheduled for surgery on Monday May 4th. I was excited and terrified at the same time. The week before my sister was critically injured during a routine medical procedure and she was still in intensive care, so I was afraid to have the procedure done since my family didn't need another person to worry about. However, my beautiful sweet sister had been one of my biggest supporters throughout the process I knew she would want me to get it done. I went for my pre-op appt on the Friday before and they told me it would be easy outpatient surgery. They would get me up and into a recliner as soon as possible, and once I peed and sipped some water I could go home. I knew I had some trouble with anesthesia, but I was usually able to get over it after a couple hours. And my best Friend had told me that when she woke up from her surgery she kept asking the nurse if they put the band in because she couldn't feel anything. So we ( me hubby and son) were up at 5:30 to be ready to get to the hospital by 7:30 for my 9:30 surgery. I was scared, but insisted I drive, as I love to drive my car, it relaxes me. I got checked at admin quickly and they had me go to the pre op waiting room. My Dad and Step Mom and my uncle arrived then. I was still scared, but playing with my son, who is just a year old, helped me calm down a lot. My Dad asked me if I was scared I said yes terrified, but I had to do this because I didn't want my son to be ten years old and having to wait on me because I am to heavy to walk or take care of him. The nurse came to get me and I got really nervous. Honestly, I was the most afraid of the IV. I am a hard draw, and they never believe me when I tell them which vein to use, they poke me 8 times then go to the vein I told them to originally. This nurse was great though and went directly to the vein I told her too. So one poke, and the IV was in. So I got my nausea patch and drank the stuff for the after nausea. And then they let my family in to wait with me. That helped me calm down too. And as quick as that, it was 9:30, my surgeon Dr Chae came in and met my family and asked me if I had any questions. I didn’t, I had met with him twice before and knew what to expect. So then I talked to the anesthesiologist about how I feel like I’m drowning when I wake up he said that may happen again, but they would take care of me. Then my family left and they gave me the happy shot, I remember I liked that shot a lot, and I noticed my vision got cloudy, but who cares, I was happy! Then I was told to scoot onto the other table, and they put a mask over my face, I remember the anesthesiologist said “Grandee you are going to feel short of breathe, then you’ll go to sleep” Sure enough I felt that then went to sleep. I remember when I woke up clearly, as I woke up to myself saying “ow ow ow ow ow….” Over and over. I was in pain. Severe pain. Now let me say I have a pretty good pain tolerance. I had a c-section and it was a piece of cake. Broke my ankle 3 times and never took more than a Tylenol, but this HURT! The nurse kept saying she would get me something for pain, and as soon as she put it in my IV I was out again. I was in and out for the next two hours. The nurse kept asking me to take slow deep breathes as my o2 levels were dropping. I tried but I felt like I was drowning. And I was still in severe pain, chest pain, not the gas shoulder type pain, but Chest pain, like all my ribs were broken. Next thing I know I’m in my room, and my aunt is asking me how I am, I can barely breathe, and I’m to stoned to tell her. So a whole herd of my relatives were there and my hubby and son. So apparently I had some problems with my lungs collapsing. And as long as I had the morphine pump thing, I was fine, but when that wore off, WOW. Later the nurse got me up to pee and walk, since I also had the wonderful gassy shoulder pain. I was so dizzy though walking was not good. So back in bed I went. I had an awesome Suite type room, it was huge and I was all alone, other than my best friend who spent the night there with me since hubby had to take the baby home. Next day the took the pump away and kept giving me pills that did nothing. I walked and walked, but the pain was still unbearable. And my oxygen levels still dropped if I went to the bathroom or anything. So back on the pump I went and ended up staying a second night. I was able to handle a little broth and some popsicles and ice chips. And I kept walking, finally on the third day the Dr offered me a fentanol (sp?) patch. I was sure that would knock me out completely. Then they gave me 2 oxycodone and that helped some. Enough that later that afternoon I got to go home. The next day I wished myself dead repeatedly, could only get 6 oz of water and a jello cup through the whole day. But it slowly got better. I still have a lot of chest pain and some bad swelling under my port site, but other than that I’m getting by. I’m down 21 lbs and would do it all over again if needed. For those of you that have complications keep telling youself it’s all worth it! One thing I have to say is that if you are in colorado or clost to, Dr Chae and Skyridge Hospital are awesome, the nurses were awesome, and everyone there was great!

Hi newbie here! I'm really excited, and scared! I'm scheduled for May 4th. Waiting is torture! Just wanted to say hi! :smile: