I was approved today for my band!!! My surgery date which was previously scheduled is for January 23. I am so thrilled to be having my surgery and I know it's exactly what I need to change my lifestyle however, I am nervous for the actual surgery itself. The closest thing I've had to surgery is wisdom teeth and that didn't involve someone poking around in my organs. Anything that may help me ease the anxiety? I am always a worry wart

Congrats on your approval, new year new you, coming! Now, take a breath, breathe, you will be okay!!!Karen..aka.kll724

Hi Wendy, so funny you should mention dentistry. When I got my surgery I said after that it was way better than going to the dentist! I was nervous, too -- had never been an overnight patient in the hospital. I'm 52 and this was the way to break that record! It was so much easier than I expected. Every one was so nice and I felt well cared for, etc. For me the incisional pain was not as bad as arthritic pain can be or severe cramps, etc. Or the dentist! Maybe it's because it was all for something. Even the left shoulder pain which I didn't get for a few days then there it was -- I was definitely uncomfortable but fine on Tylenol and Ibuprofen as needed, and the heating pad helped. That didn't last too long for me. I had filled a pain medication prescription just in case but elected not to used it -- nothing ever got to that point for me but of course every one is different. I had some discomfort from constipation as it was. I was glad I stepped up my exercise the month or so prior to surgery as I think that put me more in sync with my body for healing later and gave me something to step back into right after the surgery. I was primed for walking. Really had to force myself as I didn't want to do it, blah, blah, but once banded those conversations in my head changed. I'm still struggling a little with that but I came out of surgery with so much will power. You will, too. I think the band is helping me with so much beyond the food addiction. Hope this helps! Good luck to you -- you will do beautifully!

I had never had surgery either. Everything went great.

Being nervous is perfectly normal. Having my band installed with my third surgery and even tho I was totally ready, rock steady in my decision and had not one single doubt and no fear of surgery, in general, on a sub conscious level, I was still nervous! LOL

The surgery, it's self is a piece of cake. You are taken to the pre op area, where you are settled on a bed, a nurse will go over your history, ask you some questions, confirm your op, and so on. You will change into a gown, an oh-so-cute hair cover and some booties then they will start an IV, you will most likely see your surgeon who will pop in for a quick hi and make sure you are ready to go. You will meet your anesthesiologist, he or she will go over your procedure, your history, explain what they will do, answer any questions you have. Your nurse will start running in pre op meds that are ordered, usually an antibiotic, a little something to relax you, that sort of thing. As they take you into the OR, they usually begin the early anesthetic so you may begin feeling a little loopy, don't worry about it.

It will be cold in the OR, that is a good thing. You will move from your bed to the operating table and they will settle you in place. Everyone should be very friendly, reassuring but they will be moving swiftly. Once you are settled, your anesthesiologist will put you out. And the next thing you know, you will be in the recovery room. It will be a blink! That fast! Seriously. When you wake up. take deep breaths, in through your nose, blow them out through your mouth, deep and slow, try to control them, really move the air in and out. It is good for your lungs to do so, if you can. Practice, in the weeks before your surgery. (I was taught to do that before my first surgery, back in 1998.)

Once you are well awake, you will be offered a little Water or ice chips. accept! You will need the hydration and it's good for you. Sip, sip, sip! As much as they will allow you. You may be given a little lung exerciser and shown how to use it. I was. Didn't really need it, but I humored them. You will be given pain medication, as needed. After a little while, you will be encouraged to get up and walk. If you are outpatient, your nurse will help you to the bathroom so that you can dress and rest a bit then take off and go home. I was outpatient. I checked in at my surgery center at 5:45 in the morning, and was out of there just before nine. I was home, chilling in my recliner (including my nearly two hour drive home) before lunch time.

Post op pain from a Lap Band procedure really isn't that bad. I had a lap chole (unsuccessful, long story) in March and the discomfort level for a Lap Band is about the same. There wasn't really pain, pain, more discomfort. I never needed the prescription pain med my surgeon prescribed for me. I had it on hand, didn't take any. I had some shoulder pain from my hiatal hernia repair that I took a little liquid Motrin for. My surgeon gave me the okay for that. And I used a heating pad to knock down the discomfort as well. My incisions were a little ouchy but nothing I couldn't handle, as long as I didn't try to disco duck all over the place. LOL My port site would remind me of it's presence, if I moved wrong, when I bent over and straightened back up. I learned, in the early weeks to support my tummy to keep that from hurting. Now, a month out I don't have to worry about it, any longer.

I got lucky with the gas. My surgeon did a good job pushing the gas out after my surgery, I had little if any gas pain. If you do have any, walking, a heat pad, moving around, gentle bending and stretching help move the gas on out. After my surgery in March I had mad gas pain and walking, bending and stretching made a huge difference!

Expect to feel pretty tired for the first three days or so. I felt like dog meat. All I wanted to do was sleep. I was kind of jazzed up on the first day, day two kicked my *ss, day three I was beat. I slept a lot, got up and walked, had my liquids, slept a lot. Walked... You get the idea. By day four, I was on full liquids and beginning to feel human, again. It got better and better from then, on out.

You've got this. It really isn't bad, at all. Just enjoy the process. It's an experience. You have to live it, so do it to the fullest.

I've had a few surgeries and I was still very nervous. This is to be expected. Heck you'd be crazy if you weren't a little nervous. But, you'll do fine.

Congrats! I just got approved as well. My date is Jan. 7th.

Congrats! I just got approved as well. My date is Jan. 7th.

Mines on the 7th as well!!!

I just got my approval as well!!! unsure when surgery will be but I can't wait to have this done. will be meeting with the surgeon next week Thursday to set up a date.

Wishing you lots of luck

I was super nervous and anxious as well. I have anxiety bad and I had approval from the hospital for me to take an anti-anxiety med prior to surgery. That helped me out that morning.

All in all it went well. It's natural to be nervous. As long as you researched your surgeon you should have nothing to worry about.

I just got my approval as well!!! unsure when surgery will be but I can't wait to have this done. will be meeting with the surgeon next week Thursday to set up a date.

Wishing you lots of luck

Hope you get what you want.

Maybe I will be lucky enough for them to give me an anti anxiety med before hand. I have the worst anxiety. I'm trying not to think about the actual surgery or being put out because then I'll probably freak myself out worse than I need to.

Congrats to all having the procedure tomorrow! Mine is Thursday the 9th! I was just approved this morning so I don't really have time to stress or worry. I am more excited than anything because I was worrying I wouldn't get approval because insurance was taking forever! Now I went and got the things I need for liquid week and my vitamins! I am ready!