JoiaRox

I was told to quit smoking pre-op, but was not given a timeline. They said "quit immediately and for at least six weeks post-op." Smoking slows your body's ability to heal.

I had surgery yesterday (Thursday) at 2:00pm and had my last cigarette on Wednesday at 4:30pm...and I'm sitting here with a LapBand in my belly, drinking a Protein shake with my antibiotic :tt1:.

I wouldn't recommend NOT quitting - I'm quit now and don't want to start again. I'm looking forward to healing quickly, without cigarettes. Just giving you another take on it...

All went well with the surgery today, from leaving the house at 9:30am with bestie in tow to arriving back at home at about 9:30pm, this time with bestie having me in tow! The last twelve hours happened pretty quickly - when we got to the hospital at noon, it wasn't long before I saw the admitting nurse, paid my co-pay, signed paperwork, etc. Then, bestie and I were whisked back to the surgical ward where I immediately gave a urine sample, got dressed in the oh-so-fashionable hospital garb (open to the back - woo baby!), and chilled in a bed while an IV was put in my wrist (side note: I HATE IV'S in my wrist! HATE them!). By 1pm I was chillin' in my bed in the room outside of the operating room - which would later be the recovery room for me. I hung out there for awhile, met with my doctor, anesthesiologist, and nurse, and was wheeled into the operating room at about 2pm. Once there, it wasn't long before I was literally strapped down, arms out to either side of me, and legs strapped down together like I was a prisoner in a mental ward...and, while final tightening and adjustments were being made to my arms and legs, the anesthesiologist threw an oxygen mask on me, told me to take deep breaths...

...and I woke up back in the recovery room at about 4pm (although apparently the nurse had told bestie at 3pm that I was done and on my way out - guess I took awhile to recover!). Doctors said my surgery went perfectly! At that point, my throat was VERY dry and I was feeling pain in my stomach, which I later found out is where the "port" incision for my LapBand is. After taking in more oxygen, because the doctor says I wasn't taking deep enough breaths to fully recover from the anesthesia, I was wheeled to the original room I was in (with a "Hi Bestie!" mid way to grab him from the waiting room) at about 4:30pm. We hung out for about an hour while I continued to wake up, use the restroom, get the IV removed, get my prescriptions, talk with the doctor, got dressed, contacted family...lol. It was an eventful hour :thumbup:. And, with that? I was wheeled out to the front of the hospital and in my car before 6pm, with bestie driving, of course!

The trip home was uneventful for me - I was still in pain at the port incision (I had learned that I have 4 incisions in mah belly, and that the two surrounding the port will be the most painful for me, according to the doctor), and the trapped CO2 gas in my stomach was finally trying to escape...leading me to have shoulder pains from trapped gas trying to escape. I know bestie had fun navigating Los Angeles traffic for the first time, but I was in and out of consciousness, so I couldn't tell ya much of what happened! I did have him stop after about an hour so I could get up and walk...I've read too much about developing blood clots in your legs from all of this, and that walking also helps to get rid of the trapped gas in your body. So, we walked around a 76 station (I believe - I was kinda out of it...) in Santa Clarita for a bit, and we hopped back in the car...destination: PHARMACY!

Yup, by that time I was ready for drugs. I was drinking Water to soothe the VERY dry throat, but was nervous about it - not knowing how much water my now-little belly could hold. But, I wanted to get my post-op drugs so I could start recovering the way I'm supposed to. Luckily, the first store we stopped at once getting back in town had some awesome ladies in the pharmacy - with twenty minutes to closing, they were more than happy to fill my two prescriptions, talk with me and get me on my way. Yay! I also picked up some Gas-X strips, because I've heard they help greatly with all this trapped CO2, and some sugar-free Caramel coffee Werther's Original candies...omg YUM! The nurse had told me I could suck on cough drops, so I figured this was just as safe - as long I don't chew it up or take any chunks down mah esophagus!

Equipped with my Walgreen's bag of goodies, bestie and I headed (finally) for home. I downed 2 Gas-X strips on the way (peppermint-yum!) which seem to be helping with the gas buildup, sucked a Werther's down (omg-yummier!), and got home to greet my kitty cats and take the first round of meds. (1) I've got liquid vicodin/acetaminophen to help with the pain - I'm able to take that every 4 hours, up to 5 times a day. I giggled at the pharmacy lady when she advised me to take it with food - then told her I was on strictly liquids for a week! (2) I've got antibiotics in capsule form, which I get to open and mix the capsule-y powder into a liquid in order to consume four times a day. First time? I dumped the powder on top of the 1/2 ounce of liquid painkiller - lemme tell ya, NEITHER of the meds taste good...all sorts of "ew" went down with those first meds. I believe my quote to bestie was, "This tastes like every sort of ass in the world." But, they're both great for me - antibiotics must be taken for the next seven days, and I'm not about to be a martyr for pain, so I'll be sure to be taking the liquid pain cocktail of goodness often, as permitted :thumbup:. I'd read that a lot of post-op "bandsters" feel that they don't need the pain meds, so they don't take it, then fall asleep and wake up with horrendous pain. No thanks! I have no problem at all downin' some liquid feel good meds!

Post-op appointment is next Thursday...bring on the recovery! I'm still stoked I did this, and I'm excited to meet the healthy me!

My 60 year old Grandma had gastric bypass surgery done over a year ago...in talking with her this past weekend (with my surgery only 3 days away) she said, "You won't even know what to do with this new body you'll have." In the background? My Grandpa says, "Maybe not, but your boyfriend will!" That's the giggle in life worth waiting for...and all the motivation I need to stick to this pre-op diet!

I've been on a mostly liquid pre-op diet since December 31st and am getting banded on Thursday, January 7th. I've been tempted to stop at a fast food restaurant and gorge out "one last time." But, the way I see it? I've had enough burgers, fries, nachos, etc. to last a LIFETIME - and I've got the weight to prove it! I know I'll be able to eat all of those foods again, in smaller portions...and I refuse to let my mind win this round!

Congrats, you must be so excited. I was wondering did your surgeon tell you how long before surgery you should not drink alcohol. Some people say 2 weeks, others say 4 weeks, 8 weeks, etc...

I was put on a two week pre-op diet and, at that time, that's when the alcohol stops.

I'll say that I'm browsing through and reading many threads, as my surgery is on Thursday. I've been reading this website for a week or so now, learning everything I can from others' questions and stories. Perhaps that's why your thread has a low response count? I agree, the first person answered really well - at least, from what I know!

Thanks - and congratulations to my fellow bander! I haven't been on a liquid pre-op diet. My diet regimen was: 2 whey Protein Shakes (one for Breakfast, one for dinner) and a "sensible" lunch (lean meat, veggies, broth). Liquid intake has been restricted to only Water, diet juice and the Protein shakes. I was supposed to be on it for two weeks pre-op, but wasn't notified of my surgery until last Wednesday. So, I went four days on that diet and lost 8 pounds, and am doing a mostly liquid (broth, water, protein shake...had a little tuna today) diet for these last three days. I'm STOKED and can't wait for Thursday! :smile2:

Hello everyone! I'm a 29 year old workaholic with an amazing boyfriend and no kids. Life's always been GREAT except for this pesky weight I've been dragging with me for my entire life. I'm on the pre-op diet and stoked to finally have my LapBand put in on Thursday! I've been reading the forums here for days, anxious for my own surgery date, and started blogging at www.singinglapbander.blogspot.com

How was post-op for you?