Looking for September 2010 Bandsters

[Brian-LA 0]

QUESTION ABOUT WHAT TO WEAR AFTER SURGERY. PLEASE MAKE SUGGESTIONS!

We're winding down to the last of the month and those of us that are just barely September banders are days away.

I had a bump in the road when my PCP didn't clear me for surgery due to an abnormal EKG, but after seeing the cardiologist last week, they've cleared me after all. YAY!!!

ONE QUESTION: What do I take to the hospital to wear? Like a lot of others, I'm sure, I'm too big to be covered by the hospital gowns so I need to take something from home.

Will pj pants with a waist band be uncomfortable or irritating to any of the incision spots? Should I wear a sundress or something that would just hang but then anytime anyone wants to look at incisions they'll have to go up from below?

Anything else specific I need to take with me to the hospital (I'll have an overnight stay) that isn't the obvious?

Thanks for your help! I'll be joining you banded folks on the other side in just a few days! Can't wait!

Debbie

Hi Debbie !

I wore a loose polo shirt & sweat pants for my surgery ( I am a guy ) ... but I advise loose clothing for your Post Op Go Home clothes. It is basically recommended ... you don't want to feel it around your tummy as it will be sensitive.

-Brian :smile:

[Desiree1972 0]

Okay guys, so I am now on Day 4 Post-Op... and I STILL have this issue with no matter what I eat/drink it all seems to pool in the back of my throat and seems "frothy" I am taking the smallest of sips of apple juice, and its right there - the protien shakes? ? I basically choke on them. Tonight I have had the WORST hiccups in my life, and I plan on going back to work tomorrow... I must have lost my mind!

It will be interesting since I have been wallowing around in my old maternity clothes this weekend, and to actually put on some jeans should be fun.

But in all seriousness... anyone else have the "frothy" feeling in the back of the throat with each sip? or elephant on the chest syndrome?? Any suggestions/ideas??

I am seeing the doc on the 28th.. It would typically be later - but he is going on vacation... I am curious to see what his scale has to say...

call your surgeon and see him tomorrow!

I ended up having excess air in my band and was miserable for 4 days - couldn't take deep breaths, couldn't walk for more than 2 minutes without becoming breathless - I didn't even sound like myself. It's better to be safe = good luck

[Brian-LA 0]

Tomorrow is my big day!!!! :sneaky: Wish me luck guys!!! And you know what... I'm not nervous anymore!!! I'll update you all tomorrow after surgery... :yesnod:

GOOD LUCK MARIA !

But don't worry you won't need it. You have a skilled surgeon and you are on the road to better health and a better life. Congratulations ! And we will all be reading your Post Op posts soon. Don't worry you will be fine.

-Brian :smile:

[.Maria. 0]

@babyk, LisaA, ocbutterfly, david314, wendyhart, panna, Okie_59, jayden91508: This is it... I hope and pray that we all have successful surgeries today and that we have a safe and painless recovery :yesnod:. I'm looking forward to seeing updates from everyone, let us know how it goes :smile:.

@Brian: Thanks for your support!!! :sneaky:

[stateofzen 46]

Yay! Maria!! We will be wishing you the best!!

Wanna.b More than likely they will have a gown that is big enough if they perform bariatric surgery - the one they gave me was H U G E.. if you find that they have given you one that is too small or tight across the shoulders -ask them to find you a Mens.. they usually allow for more room. I dont know if everyone is the same on this - but none of my incisions are below the waist.. I have one that would fall right below the bra line - smack dab in the middle of my breasts... and the other 4 are somewhat in a line across, maybe 3 inches under that?? Bringing your own slippers is a great suggestion - just make certain they have "grips" on the bottom to prevent a slip or fall - no telling how you may react to the medication.. also it might be a good idea to ask the nurse to walk with you. Pack something that you can get away with being braless - aka something dark, and basically something comfy... take advantage of your time at the hospital to sleep, sleep, sleep.. but certainly motivate yourself to move around to prevent blood clots and help get rid of all the gas...

I have 4 incisions and the lowest one is about 4 inches above my belly button. One just beneath my breastbone, and one a little further down under each breast. I've been able to wear any kind of waistband while recovering because they just don't even come close to my incisions. A bra is a different matter-- thank God for tanks with built in bras.

[sourmissg 0]

Hello All, I'm home I had to stay two days in the hospital.

Still not felling myself. I will post again later.

[Paigey 7]

One more day!

I have a quick question though.

My surgery is not scheduled until 3:30 PM.

Does the don't drink or eat after midnight rule still apply or does it move up to around 8:00 AM?

I don't know if I can go all day long with ANYTHING to drink.

[missjoany 0]

Hi Debbie !

I wore a loose polo shirt & sweat pants for my surgery ( I am a guy ) ... but I advise loose clothing for your Post Op Go Home clothes. It is basically recommended ... you don't want to feel it around your tummy as it will be sensitive.

-Brian :smile:

Oh yea, I forgot about not wearing a bra. I too had one incision right on the band line. So wear something dark. I am still wearing my Crocs, I can't lean over enough yet to put on gym socks and sneakers. I am walking on the treadmill in Crocs. My other incision is below the waist line, but if you have something that is too tight it might pull.

[missjoany 0]

One more day!

I have a quick question though.

My surgery is not scheduled until 3:30 PM.

Does the don't drink or eat after midnight rule still apply or does it move up to around 8:00 AM?

I don't know if I can go all day long with ANYTHING to drink.

What you are saying makes sense. I had to be at the hospital at 0515 and couldn't eat or drink after midnight. Maybe you could call your surgical team and ask them.

[missjoany 0]

@babyk, LisaA, ocbutterfly, david314, wendyhart, panna, Okie_59, jayden91508: This is it... I hope and pray that we all have successful surgeries today and that we have a safe and painless recovery :sneaky:. I'm looking forward to seeing updates from everyone, let us know how it goes :smile:.

@Brian: Thanks for your support!!!

Today is the day! Can't wait to hear back from everyone. :yesnod:

[missjoany 0]

What you are saying makes sense. I had to be at the hospital at 0515 and couldn't eat or drink after midnight. Maybe you could call your surgical team and ask them.

I just asked my friend whose surgery was at 1200 noon, and she was told nothing after midnight. If I were you I would call your surgical team, you wouldn't want ur surgery to be cancelled.

[pooky032281 8]

Finally got some time off from the baby boom to come talk to my fellow bandsters. I just got home from my first fill. They did it under fluoroscopy, and it was really pretty cool to watch. I was taken back, gowned and prepped, he numbed it with lidocaine and then accessed the port. The lidocaine burned, but the big needle didn't hurt a bit after that. After the port was accessed, he sat me up and they pulled the big x-ray machine over. I could see my band with the fluoro, then he had me take a big mouthful of contrast. Once I swallowed it, my esophagus and stomach turned dark, then he tightened it up by watching how fast the contrast went through. I got 5cc for my first fill! So now its liquids for the rest of today, then I can slowly start moving back up to solids. Hope all of you are doing well!!!

[South Dakota Girl 0]

Good Luck to those being banded this week. I am doing well. Cant wait until I get all my strength back.

[missjoany 0]

Finally got some time off from the baby boom to come talk to my fellow bandsters. I just got home from my first fill. They did it under fluoroscopy, and it was really pretty cool to watch. I was taken back, gowned and prepped, he numbed it with lidocaine and then accessed the port. The lidocaine burned, but the big needle didn't hurt a bit after that. After the port was accessed, he sat me up and they pulled the big x-ray machine over. I could see my band with the fluoro, then he had me take a big mouthful of contrast. Once I swallowed it, my esophagus and stomach turned dark, then he tightened it up by watching how fast the contrast went through. I got 5cc for my first fill! So now its liquids for the rest of today, then I can slowly start moving back up to solids. Hope all of you are doing well!!!

Oh how cool! thanks for telling us to what to expect. My 2nd post op visit is 15 Oct and hopefully will have a fill, as I am constantly hungry. Sounds like it won't be a big thing.

[cicigirl 0]

yeah!! glad to hear from ya SDG..keep me posted...thank you BrianLA, i am investing in a crusher today!!