3 days to surgery and terrified

[deb24 0]

I have been so excited about my surgery on May 24. Today I have begun to feel so scared. Not like backing out but like "oh my gosh, what am I in for." I have gotten Jello and boost and Instant Breakfast. Am I forgetting anything? Any advise from you seasoned bandsters?:help:

[Big As Life 0]

Well, I am not all that seasoned of a bandster, but I have been banded....you will be fine...I was so scared...I got sick to my stomach just thinking about the surgery....it turned out fine....take your liquid gas-x and walk, walk, walk, and take little sips of Water for the first day....just little sips....don't gulp....and take your meds...that is why the doctor gives them to you...or well, why you pay for them.....I took my pain meds for several days...I don't like pain, and had no intentions of suffering....I am such a wimp...I was not ashamed to say I needed my pain medication.....I didn't care if I couldn't drive...I had no where to go...except on my couch in the den...

[Iluvharleys 15]

You are going through all the normal things we all go through. All the what if's! It's a big step to take, and we don't exactly know what the other side will be like. Don't worry, you are just having the thoughts we all do. Good Luck and keep us posted!

[ja9va 0]

deb,

Keep us posted. Not sure how to find you. I am not that experienced on this! I am being banded on June 7, seeing my doctor for the first time tomorrow. I am very excited about that and nervous at the same time! I know when I am 3 days away I will be scared too! We will all be thinking of you.

Janine

[cyndilou29 0]

I have been so excited about my surgery on May 24. Today I have begun to feel so scared. Not like backing out but like "oh my gosh, what am I in for." I have gotten Jello and boost and Instant breakfast. Am I forgetting anything? Any advise from you seasoned bandsters?:help:

OMG Deb it's so funny, I feel the exact same way! My surgery is the 24th too and I was fine until this weekend. Now I'm really nervous. I'm not backing out either I'm just apprehensive I guess.

My program, which is the Lahey in Burlington and they are INCREDIBLE, laid out every minute of my post op until my first fill. I have a list of foods but I'm sure every doc is different in their opinion. For one week I am on sugar free popsicles, broth, sugar free Jello and Protein shakes (they recommended Isopure but said I could get any one that I liked). Next week I get to add creamed low fat Soups and yogurt. The following 2 weeks I can add thin mashed potatoes, cream of wheat or blended oatmeal and applesauce. Yummy, huh?

I was told to buy Gas X as they said the gas pains are sometimes worse than the incision pain. They also said to get chewable Multivitamins and chewable Calcium. I also have plenty of bottled Water with the little crystal light packets. That was pretty much it from my doctor's office.

However, here is a list I compiled from many posts on this site. Hope it helps....

heating pad

flexible ice pack

liquid tylenol (they make adult strength)

chewable or liquid gas-x

a few books or movies

comfy clothes (loose waisted shorts or jumpers)

squishy pillow for car ride (guard against seatbelt)

a sports bra (doc said no underwire for a few days)

protien shakes

flavored water

make sure you have a good blender

I bought a drink mixer for the protien mix (cost $10 at walmart)

broth or stuff to make broth

sugarfree popsicles and jello

sugar free breathmints (ask your doctor)

Popsicles (SF as needed)

• Crystal Light

• Jello (Sugar Free as needed)

• Bouillon

• Bottled Water – some like Propel, fruit 2-0, or plain

• Cream of Wheat

• creamy Soups

• applesauce

• yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit

• chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)

• soups & broths

• liquid Tylenol

• liquid Gas-X or Phazyme

• heating pad

• "Imagine" Soups - in cartons. (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups.)

• Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness) - Nancy

• Soup-at-Hand - soups - for creamy stage - great "comfort food"

• Small pudding cups (SF/FF) or yogurt - I would take a spoonful to get my meds to slide down easier - Nancy

• Pill cutter

• Chewable Vitamins

• Tylenol or Motrin on hand. Sometimes all I needed was something just to take the edge off instead of Vicodin. Also, one of my incisions was irritated from my bra. Bandaids or gauze and tape were a must for me. Have plenty of Soup on hand. Something warm always makes you feel better - Cindy

• chicken – cook before surgery, and save the broth, and freeze it in very small containers. Less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem - Toni

• Post-operatively I wished I had liquid Tylenol or Motrin on hand. Sometimes all I needed was something just to take the edge off instead of Vicodin. Also, one of my incisions was irritated from my bra. Bandaids or gauze and tape were a must for me. Have plenty of Soup on hand. Something warm always makes you feel better. Hope these suggestions are helpful - Del

• I would have wanted my meds right away. I had a terrible time finding the meds in a liquid form. Either check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or if possible have the Dr. order them one-day pre-op so that you will have them ready when you return home. – Cindy

• get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital

• make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work

• buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery

Keep in touch. Since we're "surgery sisters" it would be nice to have someone to talk to that is feeling the same way I am.

[anne43 1]

Hello everyone - I am in the same boat - only my surgery date is Tuesday - I have been doing the liquid pre op for 13 days - less yesterday - it was my DD birthday - and since mine is Tuesday - we celebrated both qnd had a party - I did eat some- as I figured being on the colon cleanse today I would be pooping out most of what I ate anyway...today I had to do the colon cleanse thing - ughhhh I had to drink to glasses of this nasty stuff - and since about noon I have been running to the bathroom. My hiney feels like it is on fire - so right now I am too preoccupied with that to be scared...but I was scared to death - and have been - I hate hosptials,and everything to do with them...this has been sooo hard - both emotionally and physically - I sure hope it is worth it. keep in touch - we can help each other through! AND ususally I am not so whiny... but it is hard to be positive when my fanny is flaming! Thanks for the great list - it had some great ideas on it I am printing it! Gotta be prepared! Did you mention chap stick? Someone

else said it was a god send! Anne

[007102 0]

Relax, It Will Be History In About 45 Minutes.. The Hard Part Is After The Band Is Installed. You Literally Learn To Eat Again. Almost Impossible To Screw Up. For The First Two Weeks Your Stomac Is Recovering After That I Could Eat Most Things. The Main Change Is Quantity. When You Over Do You Get Heartbun Real Bad. You Will Soon Learn When You Have Reached The Full Mark. My Phone Is 813-390-8046 If You Have Questions. Ihave Had The Band About One Month And Am Down 25lbs. Good Luck.

Carl

[MYSTERIO12 1]

I too am feeling really anxious and scared. My surgery is Wednesday. Thanks so much Cincilou for the list of things to remember. I have most, but see a few things that I didn't know about so I'll be running out tomorrow or Tuesday to stock up! I love reading everyones stories and know it will be ok and soon I will have my own experience to tell, but it's still scary not knowing and the anticipation of what's going to happen next. I know I've made the right decision and it's been a long journey since January 2006 when I started seeing my Doctor and researching.

I know it'll be hard to sleep the next few nights, but am looking forward to waking up after surgery and starting a new chapter in my life, a new beginning !!!! Good luck to everyone else this week !

[MYSTERIO12 1]

sorry, I meant to thank Cindilou for her great list....typos always get in the way !!!!!

[MYSTERIO12 1]

Ok, one last time, thanks Cyndilou29, your list was great !!!

[R&C's Mommy 0]

I am looking into getting banded. I am 100lbs overweight. But, I dont have high blood pressure, or sleep apnea..or any other ailment. Am I still eligable to have this procedure done? And, about how much does it cost? I have read somewhere that insurance wont cover it???:help:

[Lori Ann 0]

<p>I am scared to death too. My surgery is Thursday, May 24th at 10:00am. I have been fine getting ready for the surgery and all of the sudden it set in tonight....this really going to happen. I am very nervous. I will be on liquid (clear) for three days and have also bought most everything I need for after the surger. It has been fun going to the food thread and collecting all of the liquid stage recipes. This website has been an absolute life saver.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lori Ann</p>

[cyndilou29 0]

Ok, one last time, thanks Cyndilou29, your list was great !!!

LOL, you're welcome! I knew who you meant the first time!

Good luck. I'll be thinking of you as we start our journey on Thursday!

[cyndilou29 0]

I am looking into getting banded. I am 100lbs overweight. But, I dont have high blood pressure, or sleep apnea..or any other ailment. Am I still eligable to have this procedure done? And, about how much does it cost? I have read somewhere that insurance wont cover it???:help:

I too was 100 lbs overweight (my BMI was 40.2) with no co-morbidities other than slightly elevated cholesterol and GERD. My insurance has it as an exclusion so they deny everyone, but I was told that if they DID cover it, I would be fine.

I would check with your insurance company before you start this journey so you know immediately what to expect and what the requirements are. Many have a stipulation that you stay on a doctor supervised diet for 6 months or more first. Just call and get the info so you know what's coming.

I am self pay and my program is about $18,000 but that price really varies by where you live and which program you choose. Don't be afraid to ask your hospital.

Good luck!

[Direct Hit 0]

Cyndilou29 ... agreed, great list.

I'll be banded 5/30th and cann't wait.