I'm banded! I had my surgery by Dr. Kuri on Friday, and I'm trying not to drive my wife too nuts while I'm home all week. The surgery went well, but I had a strange reaction to it. I didn't feel nervous at all the morning of the surgery, but when I woke up and was still a little groggy, I think I had an anxiety attack or something. For some reason, I felt caged in and wanted to take my catheter and IV out and walk outside or something. I never really got close to actually doing that, and about 2 hours later I finally calmed down and just relaxed. Right now I'm just enjoying the clear liquid diet and looking forward to another glass of apple juice soon - NOT.

Bob

Bob,

I will be banded by Dr. Kuri soon (March 5th)! I'm interested in hearing how everything went for you! I'm very excited and nervous at the same time. I think the traveling has me more nervous then the surgery. Everyone tells me I'm in good hands with Dr. Kuri and his staff. I'm not much of a traveler though especially out of the country! Good luck with your journey and keep drinking those liquids!

Marsha

Congratulations on your surgery, Bob. Heather and I had ours done and we are back home and doing fine. Hungry as hell but fine LOL! JK I'm not really all that hungry but my stomach does an awful lot of growling. No fill for 4-6 weeks (healing process yanno) The liquid diet isn't all that bad and it's only for a week for us. We can have yogurt, Soup, veggie juice, Jello, fruit juice (not orange or pineapple), and broth. Soup At Hand Creamy Tomato went down fine for Heather but I'm sticking mostly to the broth. I did add some V-8 juice to it yesterday. Also, we have had a couple high Protein shakes, and a high protein juice drink (Boost). I read where someone said the high Protein Shakes can cause you to have gas but I chewed a couple Gas-X to be safe. Haven't had any problems so far. Good Luck with everything

Linda

Banded 2/20/2004

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Monterrey MX

275/268.5/minigoal: 200:p

Congratulations Bob! I had a similar experience as you after surgery. I didn't feel the need to take out my IV, but I wanted the oxygen mask off!!! I tried to pull it off immediately upon waking up and they kept putting it back on, then later I was begging to take it off... it made me feel like I couldn't breath. I thought that stuff was supposed to help!

Anyway, I am glad you are doing so well. I wish I had felt as good following my day on the table. I have my 3 week check-up today and I do feel 100% better.

Take Care,

Hey Bob, congratulations!! It's common for people to try to take the mask off; I did it too. Then the nurse was leaning over me yelling (it seemed) "breathe! breathe!" It was all quite alarming.

Good luck with the postop diet, and let us know how you're doing!!

Thanks all! Anne and Alexandra - thank god I didn't wake up with the oxygen mask on or I really would have felt like bustin' out. My wife reminded me today that I sort of had the same reaction when I woke up from gall bladder surgery 6 years ago, so it is probably something with me and surgery/ anesthesia.

Linda - Glad you and Heather are home and thriving! I bet having lap-bands together was quite a bonding experience. On Sunday, my diet plan loosens up a bit, so the finish line is in sight now. That creamy tomato soup sounds really good right now.

Marsha - I would definitely recommend Dr. Kuri, and I think you'll be happy with him as your surgeon! I don't know if you know Spanish, but I don't know any really. Some of the communications with the nurses where challenging, but the nurses were patient with me and we worked it out. My advice would be to ask for a remote control and put it in your room before you go in for surgery. That is probably just my XY chromosomes kicking in worrying about the remote control minutes before surgery, but it did take a little while for me to get one after I woke up. If you want to spend a little money ($40-ish) and have a great meal the night before surgery, I was recommended and loved a restaurant called "100 Casa" (make sure you try the mushroom soup). All of this is only relevant if you are staying at the older hospital, not the one with the ocean view. Also, Dr. Kuri will give you some pain pills, so remember to take one before you board your plane home. Best wishes Marsha!!

Bob