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I am getting the band on Aug 9th from Dr Drahn at san bernardino CA. What I would like to know is, how much help I am going to need post op. I am 25 and single and the people I use for help is going on a cruse the same week of the operation. I got friends that will take and pick up form hospital but I would like to leave it at that and do the rest myself. I am still kind of young and in ok shape (besides form being 300lbs) I think I could do it but I would like to see what everyone else thinks.

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Hi Capt. I think it depends on each person. I can tell you from what I read that most folks are reporting they come home from the operation but are okay for the most part. Do you have a friend who can drive you to the hospital or pick you up? You can see by my weight ticker I am heavier than you. Everyone on here has really been honest. Just start reading and you'll get a feel for things as they are.

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I just had my band on 4/11. I felt really well after the surgery. Make sure you have an arsenal set up for yourself....

something to crush pain meds for easy swallowing

paon meds, tylenol

juices, Water for sipping away

tv remote with new battery!

charged phone

I had dh and Mom available but chose to be alone and call them if I needed. I was more concerned with not throwing my autistic son off his schedule...so he came first. I think you can do it, just be prepared and have an emergency friend on call, just in case. I wish I lived nearby, I would volunteer to nurse you!

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You'll likely be fine. You just move slowly and need time to get things done. That doesn't take people, it takes time.

You shouldn't be in pain all the time, instead you'll be sore when you move. BIG difference.

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If you have all your liquids stocked up, you'll be fine. I just wanted to sleep the day after, but didn't need "nursing." Also get a bunch of DVDs to watch, 'cause I'm a big promoter of pleasent distraction to get through discomfort. I have arthritis and recovery from the band procedure was a snap.

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If you have all your liquids stocked up, you'll be fine. I just wanted to sleep the day after, but didn't need "nursing." Also get a bunch of DVDs to watch, 'cause I'm a big promoter of pleasent distraction to get through discomfort. I have arthritis and recovery from the band procedure was a snap.

Oh my kinda girl.

I told hubby to go skiing while I recovered in the hotel room. I could watch movies all day (and have).

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I think it would be great if someone could stick with you for at least the day of surgery. Luckily (although it made it a little more stressful) I had a house full of company the week of my surgery so I had lots of people aorund. But, in retropsect I didn't actually need them to do anything for me. In fact, they were a little too helpful with trying to force-feed me broth and such! But, it was cute! They were trying to be helpful! Any way, I basically felt OK and got around good enough.

I was outpatient so I came home a few hours after surgery and so that day I felt kind of groggy and tired so it was nice to have people around. By the next day I was just a little sore but totally able to take care of myself.

Good luck!!! I'm excited for you!

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I needed very little post op help. My brother picked me up from the hospital and drove me home. I had everything stocked, Soups and Jello and pudding and yogurt, and I just watched DVDs and passed gas.

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I would say to have one person stay with you for at least one day post op. Unlike most people I got sick after surgery. I was so sick infact that I was pretty much out of it and did not relize how ill I was. If i was alone it could have been a dangerous situation.My mom was there and was able to call the doctor. I ended up staying 4 days in the hospital but I'm great now and i love my band. Play it safe and have someone with you.

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Find out what is the latest you can stay at the hospital without it costing you/insurance another days charge. I stayed later then most as I knew I would be alone once my friend took me home.

Congrats and good luck in your band journey!

Banded 3.30.07 ... self pay

The Man, The Myth, The Legend...Dr Spivak

310/293/210

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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