I’m just curious, for those who are banded, was it your first procedure?

I know the band would be a good decision for me, but I’ve never had any kind of operation before, so every now and then it hits me that this is major surgery and I sort of freak out. Anyone else in the same boat?

I've had 2 dental surgeries (which aren't major, but they knock you out), and then I had a surgery where they drained an abcess near my tonsils (yuck). I also had tubes in my ears when I was a little little kid, which I slightly remember, which I think is probably why anesthesia doesn't scare me.

Is it the anesthesia that is getting to you or something else?

I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy under twilight sleep but other than that the band was my 1st actual surgery. I know major surgery is a big deal, but I didn't really think it was any big deal - I mean it only took 45 minutes, I was home by 2 pm, etc.

I've had 2 D&Cs, one C-Section (which I was completely knocked out for), gallbladder removed, wisdom teeth removed, tonsilectomy, and my LapBand. Yeah, I'm a little experienced with surgery by now. LOL

I had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago, and then the Lapband...driving on the highway in Dallas will freak you out if you think about it too much!

Certainly, there are some unpleasant aspects of surgery, but the whole point of it is to correct something even worse, right?

Keep searching, and asking questions...you will find the right decision for you! Cindy

I was very apprehensive about surgery--I'd only had one experience with general anaesthesia and it was more than 20 years ago. But after two babies I figured it couldn't be any worse than that!!

Yes 3 others before the band

I've had my appendix removed when I was 20, then 16 years later I had a combo gallbladder removal and tubes tied at the same time (hey, I was going to be under anesthesia anyway - might as well kill two birds, you know?) Then the lapband

The anesthesia is no problem. I had quite a bit of pain after both of my previous surgeries, but virtually none after being banded.

Geez - I was an old pro by the time the lap band surgery...

Breast cyst removed age 14

Hand cyst removed age 15

Foot cyst removed age 21

Laproscopic Tubal Exploratory Surgery age 25

Tubal repair surgery age 25

Breast cyst removed age 28

Tubal pregnancy surgery age 31

Collapsed Lung (accident) age 32

Laproscopic Surgery to remove left ovary & cyst age 43

Carpal Tunnel Surgery right hand age 43

Trigger Finger Surgery right thumb age 43

Knee Scope Surgery right knee age 43

And at last - Lap Band Surgery age 46

That's a bunch of anesthesia.......

Nancy

I've had 2 c-sections, 2 back operations, laser eye surgery, and the lap band (and I'm only 32). I was still nervous for my lapband of course, but knowing how to find the surgical suite and what they were going to do to prep me for surgery was reassuring.

For me the worst part is getting the IV put in. And that's not really bad - it's just a mental thing. After that, it's a cakewalk. You're going to do great. It'll all be over before you know it!

It was my first, besides getting my wisdom teeth taken out.

jayme

I've had my share of surgery and anesthesia. I had emergecy gall bladdar removal, appendix, 1 spinal fusion & 3 other back surgeries, 1 hip surgery, 2 pain pump implanted w/ cath. in the back (one failed), wisdom teeth, TMJ surgery, 2 c sections and finally knee surgery. All at the ripe ole age of 34.

The only problem for me, with the anesthesia, was my bladdar was paralysed for a few days and I needed to be straight cath. every 6 hours. OUCH!! It happened every single time to me!

I've had wisdom teeth removed, a deviated septum repaired, several manual debridements of my right eye, heel spurs removed twice and a caesarean section/tubal ligation.

From those I know I cope just fine with general anaesthetics and after my caesar I was back to normal activity within a week so I'm not too nervous about the lap band op.

the abortion counts as surgery?

I have had lots of surgery too. I hope this goes pretty smoothly.

Jachut -- Question how was the heel spur surgery? My heel has been very painful for about 6 months and I keep hoping the weight loss will make a difference but not so far. I've heard horror stories about the heel spur surgery -- what was your experience?

As for me I had galbadder surgery, wisdom teeth, and the endoscopy and colonoscopy. The gas was an issue for me after the lapband, but not the surgery or the insisions.