Yesterday was my surgery. I had a check in time of 12:00 noon. I was very thirsty, as you can imagine! They brought my husband and I back and we worked on some paperwork and the final pre-op weigh in, I was down about 30 pounds since I started with this doctor last June. 13 pounds were from the pre-op diet alone. I also got a huge heparin shot in my leg to prevent clotting and an anti-nausea patch behind my ear.

The hospital was running a bit late (they kept apologizing) but brought me to the OR at 1:45. I was having some anxiety laying on the table, but the put me under very quickly. Next thing I knew, I was awake and the nurses were asking how I was doing. I remember replying "Hot, thirsty, nauseous." I'm not sure how it all happened, but the next thing I knew, I was in the big hospital recliner with a bottle of Water to sip and a fan pointed right at me! I felt much better at that point. They wanted me to get up pretty soon after that. Walking was not at all a pain, but I was having trouble focusing my eyes. My DH was there too, and he sent out some texts to the family that I was all done. I passed out at that point.

The rest of the evening kind of went on that way: sip, sip, sip, walk, doze off. I listened to music and podcasts to help keep my mind at ease. DH had to leave to help out with the kids at home. I had my surgery at a stand alone bariatric hospital, and there was only one other patient there overnight. My abdomen was a bit sore but not too painful. However, my right shoulder was. Luckily I had brought a heating pad that is helping A LOT. I asked for chicken broth, but before I could try it, I had a dry-heave thing. The nurses waved some alcohol wipes under my nose and that helped it to stop. I waited a bit longer till it had totally passed to try anything else.

At abut 5 this morning, the nurses got me up and dressed. I did some more walking and sipping. I had to really play around with the sipping. Too little and I think I was swallowing too much air which was VERY uncomfortable in the esophagus area. To much and my tummy kind of spasmed. Around 7, I had to go back for the barium swallow/X-Ray which was AWFUL. Apparently, the liquid is having a hard time moving into my stomach (refluxing) and is kind of just sitting in my esophagus. She also saw a big air bubble sitting in the top of the stomach. That sort of explains why swallowing has been (and is still) very uncomfortable. Not painful, but really strange feeling.

At that point, my husband returned and I got discharged to come home. I'm still having the weird feeling in my esophagus. My surgeon said the swelling there should go down in a day or so. But other than the general discomfort, nothing super acute has been bothering me. I think I might feel a smidge worse tomorrow.

I've been drink water, Vitamin Water Zero (the lemonade is good and not too sweet, the mixed berry is good too) and some warm chicken broth. I am trying to take it all slowly. The weather is really sunny day, so I may even take a little walk outside!

Please let me know if you have any questions about the surgery, my background or even the pre-op diet!

Yesterday was my surgery. I had a check in time of 12:00 noon. I was very thirsty, as you can imagine! They brought my husband and I back and we worked on some paperwork and the final pre-op weigh in, I was down about 30 pounds since I started with this doctor last June. 13 pounds were from the pre-op diet alone. I also got a huge heparin shot in my leg to prevent clotting and an anti-nausea patch behind my ear. The hospital was running a bit late (they kept apologizing) but brought me to the OR at 1:45. I was having some anxiety laying on the table, but the put me under very quickly. Next thing I knew, I was awake and the nurses were asking how I was doing. I remember replying "Hot, thirsty, nauseous." I'm not sure how it all happened, but the next thing I knew, I was in the big hospital recliner with a bottle of Water to sip and a fan pointed right at me! I felt much better at that point. They wanted me to get up pretty soon after that. Walking was not at all a pain, but I was having trouble focusing my eyes. My DH was there too, and he sent out some texts to the family that I was all done. I passed out at that point. The rest of the evening kind of went on that way: sip, sip, sip, walk, doze off. I listened to music and podcasts to help keep my mind at ease. DH had to leave to help out with the kids at home. I had my surgery at a stand alone bariatric hospital, and there was only one other patient there overnight. My abdomen was a bit sore but not too painful. However, my right shoulder was. Luckily I had brought a heating pad that is helping A LOT. I asked for chicken broth, but before I could try it, I had a dry-heave thing. The nurses waved some alcohol wipes under my nose and that helped it to stop. I waited a bit longer till it had totally passed to try anything else. At abut 5 this morning, the nurses got me up and dressed. I did some more walking and sipping. I had to really play around with the sipping. Too little and I think I was swallowing too much air which was VERY uncomfortable in the esophagus area. To much and my tummy kind of spasmed. Around 7, I had to go back for the barium swallow/X-Ray which was AWFUL. Apparently, the liquid is having a hard time moving into my stomach (refluxing) and is kind of just sitting in my esophagus. She also saw a big air bubble sitting in the top of the stomach. That sort of explains why swallowing has been (and is still) very uncomfortable. Not painful, but really strange feeling. At that point, my husband returned and I got discharged to come home. I'm still having the weird feeling in my esophagus. My surgeon said the swelling there should go down in a day or so. But other than the general discomfort, nothing super acute has been bothering me. I think I might feel a smidge worse tomorrow. I've been drink water, Vitamin Water Zero (the lemonade is good and not too sweet, the mixed berry is good too) and some warm chicken broth. I am trying to take it all slowly. The weather is really sunny day, so I may even take a little walk outside! Please let me know if you have any questions about the surgery, my background or even the pre-op diet!

Glad you made it through! I am currently on my pre-op diet. I'm scheduled for April 17th! Im so excited and ready!

Day 2 after surgery: I'm feeling pretty OK. My abdomen is pretty sore when I move, but fine if I'm sitting or laying. One incision (of 5) has a HUGE bruise around it, and I think that's the one they used to remove the stomach piece.

So far sipping is improving a lot. Yesterday was hard because every sip felt like it sat at the bottom of my esophagus for a few seconds, then a bubbly feeling would come up. Then the liquids would move down. That seems to be getting better. I have taken a couple of Gas X chewables that could be helping.

The sharp pain in my right shoulder is still hanging around, so I pretty much leave the heat pad on it all the time. I also got to take a 10-12 minute walk outside last night which felt pretty good. Hoping to do 2 of those today.

Seems like your progressing! I'm glad your walking me through what to sort of expect. I plan to do the same when I'm through on 4/17...

Day 3 after surgery:

My pain level is about the same. Sore across the abdomen, sharp pain in the right shoulder, but I've been able to sleep and walk so it's obviously not too bad.

My entire GI track is making the loudest rumbly sounds. It's pretty funny. I'm still sticking with Vitamin Water Zero, warm tea and warm chicken broth. Tomorrow I can start the "full liquid" part of the diet. I'm looking forward to some Protein shakes for sure.

I finally was able to shower last night as well, it felt SO good on my shoulder.

The only thing that keeps freaking me out is that this whole experience has been super surreal. Like I can't believe the surgery actually happened and I'm on my way to a healthier weight. It's so strange.

Thank you so much for posting this! My surgery is on April 29 is so strange to have a date and to know I'm about to start my journey to a new me! Thank you for the play by play! Blessings and prays for a continued recovery!

I was lapband to sleeve, i have 5 incisions, gas was badddd in my back and shoulder...i took gasx and by back stop hurting. Surgery was 4/9-2014 they relased me 4/10...they took me at 930 and I was out at 1:45....my sips all went down perfectly..they sent me home with a 30 day supply of heparin i dont like doin these injections!! I gained 10 punds in one day of the hospital, i also took home these leg warmer things that prevent blood clots i have to return on next week!! All my incisions seem fine except one its sore!!

Hi all..I am new here and I don't have a surgery date but I want one... I have no idea who to call. I am from Canada.. Thanks for any help/...

Jane

I should say...when I registered it asked me which Doctor..I thought it meant..who would I like to perform the surgery..I am all screwed up here..

Jane, Google weight loos and your town, it will come up with providers, also look for the specific Canada forum and who those folks went to, and if you are so inclined, research Mexico, do your homework, you won't regret it.

Hey Melbooks - thank you SO much for this thread and your great updates. I hope i'm as lucky as you with mine! You're on the way now - way to go!! Lynnlee, we have the same surrey date! I'm also 4/29 and just recently got it. Like you say -- it IS so strange to have a date! Thanks all of you.

Mine is 4/23! I had to start all liquids 2 wks prior to surgery! Was that everyone's pre surg diet?!

Also, anyone else being told they will never be able to swallow pills, again. Medicines must be crushed and mixed into food- yet other hospitals say no crushing.??

Seems like your progressing! I'm glad your walking me through what to sort of expect. I plan to do the same when I'm through on 4/17...

Hey SHA IM JUNE IM HAVING MY SURGERY ON 4/15/14

Mine is 4/23! I had to start all liquids 2 wks prior to surgery! Was that everyone's pre surg diet?!

I'm 4-23 Also!!! But no preop diet...just stop eating at midnight the night before.

Also, anyone else being told they will never be able to swallow pills, again. Medicines must be crushed and mixed into food- yet other hospitals say no crushing.??

I was told to do the crushing after surgery but I didn't think they meant for good. But I'd actually rather crushing for good so Imma check with my surgeon. Thanks