had surgery on 4/2 My surgery journey: Sunday: I had to do clear liquids. I sure missed my coffee. I slept fine, and thought that my nerves had vanished. Monday: got up at 4:30 to wash again with the antibacterial that they gave me at my pre-op. I missed my coffee. Left the house at 5. Checked in, asked for my valium. The girl at the desk said to ask the nurse and she brought me to my bed/curtained room. I was given a Johnny…looked at my husband and said that I wasn’t sure I could do it. He told me I didn’t have to if I didn’t want to. I told him I wanted to, but I was afraid. My valium came right as they were bringing me to surgery. Allot of help that was. LOL Before I was brought into the operating room, my surgeon came over, told me not to worry everything would be fine. I met the anesthesiologist, and the anesthesia nurse. He was wonderful. I asked him to make sure everything went well, and not to leave me until I went back down to my cubby. He put the IV in and then said he was going to inject some good medicine. Then it was off to the operating room. They put the booties on me. I really liked them. LOL Then they moved me to the operating table. Then Paul woke me in recovery and gave me oxygen. My surgeon told me everything went well, and he was going to go talk to my husband. I had no problems waking or breathing. Went to my room/cubby place. My husband was there. When I got there, I asked to use the bathroom. The nurse asked me if I wanted to go home, and I said yes. Put on my clothes, my husband got the car. They wheeled me down and put me in the car. I was home by 1 PM. I’m sore and it’s hard to get up and to get comfortable, but on a scale from 1-10, my pain is a 1. Soreness a 4. Tuesday: I experienced THE gas, but even that was only about a 2. I am sipping, and to tell you the truth, I could take large gulps, but I do know better. I don’t feel my band at all. I have 6 incisions and they are sore. I’m doing well. I don’t know how people can go right back to work. Just getting up to the bathroom wears me out. I’ve taken small walks in my house. I’ve only had water and half of a popsicle. My doc said I could go right on to full liquids when I was feeling up to it. Wednesday: Feeling stronger, pain pills take care of incesions. I can hear the gas, but so far no gas pains. Thursday: Feeling better. Maybe tomorrow I’ll try some nectar.

I was very nervous for nothing. It wasn’t bad, and it was quick. I hope that I’ve calmed any fears anyone on deck has. Thanks to everyone who said a prayer, sent a hug, well wishes, and support.

i have gained weight pre-op, cant seem to motivate myself to diet again, please help

[some people dream of success...while others wake up and work hard at it.]

Here's my banding story....

I attended several seminars and read up a lot on the procedure. My surgeon, was so great. He had been banded himself! I know family history isn't the only reason we're obese, but my family history of three obese deaths, really got me scared. I spent the last thirty years yo-yo dieting. Down 50 lbs, up 60 lbs. You get the message. Anyway, he required me to do two weeks pre-op on a liquid diet using Optifast. The first two days were really hard, but, looking back it was the best way to go. It teaches your body that you don't have to live to eat, but eat to live. A bonus....I lost 13 lbs.

Banding date was Tuesday, April 3rd, at 10:00am. I took an anti-nausea pill, (Avent) prescribed by my surgeon, at 8:00pm on Monday night, fasted after midnight and arrived at the out-patient center at 8:00 am.

The staff was very, very professional. Karen, my "friend" from the Lap-Band seminar stayed with me in pre-op and talked to me. That calmed me a lot. My anesthesialogist was full of information, (she spoke in a nice, quiet voice) reassuring me that everything would be fine. She gave me a plastic breathing device to use at home in which you insert a tube into your mouth and try to raise three balls, hold for 5 seconds, then breath out. She said this would help put oxygen into my lungs and release the gas that would be pumped into my body. Believe me, it really helped. I put on the gown, slippers, and cap, got

rolled into the adjoining operating room, placed on the bed, and that's all I remember. I was told the surgery took under 30 mins. No complications, no nausea, no after-affects, no immediate pain. They had me up and walking within 5 mins in the recovery room. I was very drowsy, to say the least, but recovered really fast. My nurse helped me change into my clothes and my husband assisted me to the car. I was home by noon!

Day 1, I felt very tired and sore, but walked gently for one mile with my husband's company. I took Liquid Tylenol w/codeine at bedtime which helped me sleep. Day 2, I was alert but sore, which I expected. The only sore area was the port incision. I felt nothing at all in the smaller 4 incisions. As a matter of fact, they were hardly noticeable. I continued to consume at least 60-80 ozs of fluids per day, mostly Swanson chicken broth, apple & white grape juice, gatorade, and Water. No coffee for now. I did experience diarrhea. But that's because of all the juices. I wasn't concerned. Day 3, about the same, some discomfort, not bad really, liquids, sipping all the time, walking about two miles, one in the morning and one in the evening. (I'm lucky to be in Hudson, Florida) Day 4, I started with the gas pains. Neck, shoulders, and I used a heating pad. That helped a lot. I did forget to buy Gas-X, which my daughter, who was banded on 12/5/06 reminded me had really helped her. So that's my next step. Buy some Gas-X!! Day 5, I woke up much better. My husband and I went to the local flea market where I walked a lot. Then to the supermarket for some groceries, and back home. All in all, I had a very easy experience. The most important thing is to have complete confidence in your surgeon and staff. I hope this is helpful to those getting banded in the future. :gluck:

Thank you for the detailed account. Somehow it is very comforting. Best wishes, I know you will do well.

I love love love the stories from folks about their first week or so....it really helps me to know what to expect. This was a great posting...your walking is an inspiration to me....I hope I can have as good a recovery as you did! Keep up the great great work!

KYsunshine