:update:

I got banded this morning- checked in at 6, into OR at 7 and left at 10:15... I feel okay-the usual

• sore
  
• gassy (this is getting more uncomfortable as the day goes on despite walking and gas x but it is not as bad for me as some people seem to have it.
  
• tired
  
• a bit silly from pain meds
  
• a bit of blood leakage from incisions, that has stopped

but I am doing much better than I expected. :rose: I am taking Gas X (strips) every 2-3 hours (2 at a time) and ibuprofin. I am keeping a list by my stack of meds where I write down

time what I took dose when I can have my next dose

12 pm pain med 3 TSP 3 PM

the blue is a sample of what I write. It just seems like a good idea, helps me not take too much of anything or too often.

a couple spooky things - for one, even though I lost about 8 pounds before surgery my liver was unusually large according to the surgeon. It was nicked during surgery (it was so large he said it was very difficult keeping it out of the way) but they stopped the bleeding right away. My surgery took longer than most because of that but my surgeon is just going to monitor it as I lose weight, he thinks it is just large from being overweight.

question- is ibuprofin bad for the liver? if yes, I will switch to tylenol.

anyhow, I had my surgery at Evergreen Surgical Center with Dr. Kevin Montgomery in Kirkland WA. He and his staff were exceptional- great bedside manner and just really considerate of my comfort, of the person waiting for me in the lobby- everything. They do perform surgeries in the surgical center in their office but Premera is about a month or two from permitting patients covered by them to go there. For now, patients covered by insurance are using the surgical center at Evergreen.

his website is http://www.thelapband.com/ and my insurance (Premera BC) covered it all (100%). Out of pocket I hear it is $16,900 to have it done there, that includes 13 months of fills.

That's all- just thought I woudl send out a report. I am sore but better than expected- although I hear tomorrow will be worse. Anyone had that experience? (feel good the first day and rotten the second and third)?

talk to you all soon- looking forward to shrinking with you all

It is as good and bad as I thought...and about the Tylenol vs. Ibuprofen...my center says no Ibuprofen ever again. Only liquid Tylenol.

I have had 3 C-sections and a gallbladder. I could not imagine having this and not have had so much experience with abdominal surgery. Worse than gallbladder but better than C-section. That may be due to I had a little surprise as I was getting prepped. My tests showed I had a hiatal hernia they had to repair? What? =) Who knew? :omg:

I was banded on the 31st as well and feel pretty great. I walked today about 1/4 mile, and the only pain I am having is where the the port(I think) is located. Also a bit of chest pain when I drink something too cold. I havent taken any pain meds today, just two tums...I am glad the surgery is over and the healing phase has started!

:update: :violin:

wow- did I turn a corner for the worse last night. I woke up and apparently the pain meds had worn off. I got up to use the bathroom and could barely walk it hurt so bad. then when I got back into bed I was just shaking with pain. the gas has me feeling like a hot air balloon. this part sucks!

I have been taking ibuprofin and my pain meds, soon I should have my medication back up to where I am a bit more comfortable and tonight I am going to set the alarm and get up every 4 hours to take my medications so I don't have to feel like that again.

I am much less mobile today, and the incision sites are sore:eek: sore:eek: sore:eek: but I am not as bad as I could be.

Hi Thatgirl- I was thinking about you. First of all congratulations on being banded. I was banded on 1/30/07 and felt the same as you do. I can honestly say that it gets better. With each passing day, it gets better. I had a tough time with the gas pains. Hang in there- Gigi:)

Hey someone said, for the gas pains, that if you lay down and with a pillow and then put your butt in the air, by being on your knees, that will help the gas pains because gas rises. I am not sure if it works, but I think it is worth a shot.

On the ibuprofen, I was told not to take any ibuprofen after surgery because it tears at the stomach. It can cause ulcers when sitting too long.

I have my surgery this Thursday. Did my pre-op stuff today. Can't wait!!! Good to hear all of you are doing good.

Oh, by the way, I have to stay in the hospital one night and it looks like a lot of you get released the next day. I have to do a fast of Clear liquids, along with one 10 ounce bottle of magnesium citrate, two days before the surgery. Then the day of the surgery I don't get anything to drink, not even ice chips, until the next morning when they check with an x-ray or something to make sure the Fluid goes through. They said because of swelling possibilities is why they wait until the next morning to check.

Anyway, after that I have to be on clear liquids for about 5-7 days until my first doctor apt. Then I go to regular liquids. Then after a week of regular liquid, two weeks of mushy foods.

:update: :update: :update:

I am alive.... I think:nervous I finally turned a corner today.

I was not that nervous about surgery- I have had 9 laproscopies before (for endometriosis) so I was prepared for some gas and misery but I think the difference this time was 5 incisions instead of the 2 I am used to. I dunno, maybe that was it?!

It's Tuesday evening and I am feeling alright. Sore at the incision sites (especially the port site but the one on the left above my belly button is almost as bad) but doing better.

I am drinking as much Water as I can stand and trying to juggle slimfasts, baby juices (gerber ones- they have an apple prune that is pretty tasty and helps keep things moving, so to speak) and broth sometimes. I also drink some soy milk and almond milk here and there. I have not been counting how many calories or whatever, there is no way I could get down enough to be a good amount yet- right now I am just trying to heal... heal slowly and take care of me. I am using Source of Life liquid Vitamins, which I like pretty well.

Tomorrow I go back to the office to try to work for at least a few hours. I feel good about that, yesterday I thought I was going to be home all week.

I hope the rest of you week old bandsters are doing well- I think of you all often.

I have spent a fair amount of time giggling at my heating pad (I labored over which one to get and got a big fancy one and haven't used it once!!!) I tried but it made me hurt :straight so I put it away.

WAY to go!!!! You are on the road to recovery! I am on day 13 (Surgery Jan 31st) from surgery and I feel absolutely fine. The only thing is I can't eat alot (shame , huh!). I probably consume less than 500 calories per day. I guess it's due to the swelling. If i get hungry, I can only eat a few bites of food, usually creamy or mushy food). I have not progressed to real solids yet. the closest I have come is mashed potates. The good news is, I'm not hungry and I'm losing a LOT of weight! I kind of wish that my swelling would not go down! Then I wouldn't even have to worry about the fills! :-) Anyway, glad to hear you are doing well. Good luck in the days to come...