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I did it today! I had my lapband surgery!

I just thought I'd write about my experience so those of you who are going to be having it soon know what to expect. Of course, different doctors, practices, hospitals, states and countries have different policies...

My doctor does it as an outpatient procedure, so I was home pretty quick. They brought me in at 8:30AM, told me to undress, gave me an iv, checked bp, hr, etc and had me connected to machines. They had me sign a few more forms.

Intersting thing: On one of the forms, it said I was having gastric lap band surgery and hiatal hernia repair. Now, as far as I know, I don't have a hernia. When I asked the doc, he said most overweight women have a hiatal hernia, which is not dangerous, but when placing a band, it has to be repaired to avoid complications. Interesting!

Anyways, they told me to get comfortable on the bed while they got the OR ready. In the meantime, I brought my ipod, where I had downloaded some relaxing music I used during my pregnancies, labors and c-sections. Well that must have been really therapeutic, bc I fell asleep before they could even sedate me! (He sedated, then he used the mask to put me under, apparently)

The next thing I know, I'm coughing up a storm and apparently asked "Did you extubate me yet?" they were cracking up. Then apparently I said I needed an Emesis basin to throw up, but fell asleep instead. :w00t: I am not a doctor. I guess the anesthesia made me remember all my ER episodes...

So after an hour they tried waking me up, and it felt like one of those mornings where you JUST cannot wake up. After trying to wake up for 20 minutes, they let me sip some Water and then it was fine. Nothing was hurting. They made me sit up after a while, then walk around, go to the bathroom, and then I got dressed and went home. All in all, I went in 8:30 and was home by 1.

Now the pain has started kicking in a little. I can barely feel the two little incisions and the big oneacross my belly button is a little tender. Also, I can totally feel where the port is and it's sore. I can tell it will probably take a while to heal. aren't so bad. But then again, I'm comparing it to c-sections.

The hard part is the gas. It's pretty bad. I got a heating pad and it's made a huge difference!

They sent me home with Lortab, but I don't know if it's helping with the gas...

I am SO hungry! But the gas won't let me eat too much. I've basically had a bottle of Vitamin Water, and half a bowl of Jello. They told me to make sure I get in 64oz of fluids today. So far, including what I had in the hosptial, I've had like 32. I don't see how I'm going to double that before I go to sleep though.

And other then that, I've just been sleeping it off. It helps that dh took the day off work to help with the kids today. Hopefully I can ask my mom to come help tomorrow and maybe the next day I'll be ok.

Anyways, that's my story.

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Thanks!!

Glad to hear everything went smoothly.

It sounds like this should be a no-brainer for me tomorrow. I never watched ER but I am more of a House guy anyways.

I'll start giving the surgeon and nurses crap and talking down to them.

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Thanks!!

Glad to hear everything went smoothly.

It sounds like this should be a no-brainer for me tomorrow. I never watched ER but I am more of a House guy anyways.

I'll start giving the surgeon and nurses crap and talking down to them.

Oh I LOVE House! Have all episodes on my iPod Touch!

Best wishes for tomorrow and a speedy recovery!!

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btrieger - we have met in other forums. I'll be pulling for you tomorrow.

Last Monday was my band day - so I'm 7 days out and feel great. Very little pain - back to my normal activity.

Only took Loritab before leaving surgicenter. Never used any other meds except tylenol otc.

Glad your day has finally arrived.

Joyce in Kansas City

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Oh SOY i am SOOOOO glad you pulled through ok! The tip about the ipod is a FANTASTIC idea.. if only i had my laptop back intime to add songs to my ipod that i find relaxing!! i have like five days left now i think.. wednesday for me! But you guys are behind in time so it'll be tuesday for ya's when i go in!! Best of luck!!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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