My surgery is tomorrow and now that it is here I am finding myself much more nervous. I know this is normal but I want to be really prepared for what's going to happen post-op. Any suggestions from those who have had surgery and have gone thru the experience, and is willing to give some good advice??? Thanks in advance!:scared2:

Edited June 28, 201016 yr by jennykay
typo

Hi Jenny-

I don't have any pearls of wisdom to offer, but I'm right there with ya! My surgery is Tuesday. I'm also in TX. :scared2:

Best of luck to you and I wish you the best!!

It's a big change, and I'm starting to freak out too, but thankfully we have this awesome site filled with people who are living the banded life!

So true...and good luck on your surgery:)

I was banded April 7 and it was whirlwind. I was there at 6:30 and banded at 8:30. Was home at 1:00.

The incisions were somewhat painful, but not bad. Mostly could not roll over in bed for a week. I had some pain in my shoulder from the referred pain and walking helped that. I started walking the very first day - a quarter mile.

I only took pain meds for one day then switched to Tylenol. It was easier than I expected. Day six I went back to work. I was tired all week, but did four 8-hour days just fine.

I was not humgry for over two weeks. I did what I was supposed to do as far as liquids. Was told to get as many fluids in as possible so I would not end up back at the hospital on IVs for dehydration.

I know you are nervous, but it will be fine. My mentor told me to "keep my eye on the prize". Just remember where you are headed, to a new life.

The first two weeks I had some ups and downs emotionally, I think partly due to the trauma to my body, partly due to anesthesia, and partly due to the heightened emotions before surgery. It was roller coaster ride for a while. don't be surprized by that, but it probably will hit you when you least expect it.

Now the good part - I have already lost 50 pounds, am down from a size 2x to a 16, and off my diabetes meds, high blood pressure meds reduced, and joint pain much reduced. that is where you will be before you know it!

Good luck to you tomorrow. You are off on a big adventure!

:scared2:

Thank you for your response fd.... it helps me a lot on what could happen and insight into others experience, which really helps. And congrats on the weight loss that is AMAZING!!!

I was banded two weeks ago and had an extremely easy time of it. An unexpected asthma reaction kept me in the hospital overnight but once that was under control, everything went very smoothly.

The fluids they pumped into me meant I had to go to the bathroom every 45 minutes or so ALL NIGHT LONG, so every time I got up, I also did a couple laps around the hospital floor. I think this helped tremendously.

I switched to Tylenol around 2 am and never even filled my prescription for my pain meds.

I live alone so my sister came and spent the night with me my first night home but I was on my own after that. No problems at all.

There is a whole thread here of surgery day stories. Just do a search.

Good luck to you!

kagead

Also, check out some of the bandster blogs -- you'll find lots of posts about how people felt post-op. A link to my blog is below, and I have a bunch of links to other blogs that I like posted on the right side of the page. I hope that helps! :scared2:

Best wishes,

Catherine

Thank you for your response fd.... it helps me a lot on what could happen and insight into others experience, which really helps. And congrats on the weight loss that is AMAZING!!!

It is Monday evening and I am thinking about you. Did you have your surgery today? How are you doing? Anxious to hear from you when you feell like posting.