Ok so I'm finally banded!

I did well during surgery - enough they didn't give me any pain meds there! Dr. even put in 3 or 4cc's in my band during surgery.

No Hernia repair was required and I had lapband with plication. (Not to confuse you but there are 2 plications - 1) the procedure that started in Iran and was almost like the sleeve procedure and 2) stitching the band to the top of the stomach lining) I did #2 because it almost avoids any kind of slippage.

When I got home and the anesthesia wore off though, it got pretty rough, ie shoulder gas, stitches, insides, and very very bad headaches. Taking chewable Gas X and my pain meds because I don't plan on being a hero.

The staff at Dr.Cobourn at SWLC/SmartShape were amazing. They define what healthcare should be! I also want to thank you all for being such a great source of support over the past few months as I was making my decision. A special thanks to Tom Tomander for being a really good friend

Any words of wisdom or tips for my new life?

Dr Coburn did my surgery. I agree he was totally

Sorry.... He was awesome and so were all the staff. He even called me personally a few days later just to check on me.

Yes-I-Can....welcome to the other side

My only words of wisdom for you at this early point, is to closely follow your doctors advice and guidelines. It will be difficult at times, but there is a reason for every phase over the next few weeks/months. It can be a bit of a roller coaster ride, but you'll get through it, and it DOES get better. I'm coming up on 11 weeks out, and have settled in quite well. My new way of eating has become the new "normal".

For right now, just relax and let your body heal. If the gas is really bad, take Gas-X and do as much walking as you're comfortably able to. A heating pad can be soothing as well. If you're in pain, take the pain meds! It's really good that you don't want to be a hero on that. The reality is, you heal quicker when you lean on the meds, and don't try & tough it out. Everyone varies with how long it takes for the gas to completely dissipate. For me it was somewhere between 2-3 weeks. Some, a lot sooner.

Congrats on this huge step!!

Yes-I-Can....welcome to the other side

My only words of wisdom for you at this early point' date=' is to closely follow your doctors advice and guidelines. It will be difficult at times, but there is a reason for every phase over the next few weeks/months. It can be a bit of a roller coaster ride, but you'll get through it, and it DOES get better. I'm coming up on 11 weeks out, and have settled in quite well. My new way of eating has become the new "normal".

For right now, just relax and let your body heal. If the gas is really bad, take Gas-X and do as much walking as you're comfortably able to. A heating pad can be soothing as well. If you're in pain, take the pain meds! It's really good that you don't want to be a hero on that. The reality is, you heal quicker when you lean on the meds, and don't try & tough it out. Everyone varies with how long it takes for the gas to completely dissipate. For me it was somewhere between 2-3 weeks. Some, a lot sooner.

Congrats on this huge step!![/quote']

Thanks mrsinto. Did you have any Fluid in your band at the time if surgery?

Thanks mrsinto. Did you have any Fluid in your band at the time if surgery?

Yes, about 3cc's. At the time of surgery, my doctor fills the band and then lets the fluid run out. Wherever it naturally stops emptying, is what he leaves. Typically, it's in and around the 3cc's. Now, after two fills, I'm at 7cc's, and that seems to be working very well.