What can I expect on the day of surgery, how will I be prepped, Will I be put under, if so how long???? Rick:ranger:

I'm sure each surgeon does things a bit differently, but here is what my experience was like on surgery day:

~7:30am - arrived at hospital

~8:30am - got a visit from my doc and the anesthesiologist (who promised to give me something to take the edge off

~9:00am - got wheeled into OR for prep, got my sedative and don't remember much else

~12noon - started waking up (I'm horrible with anesthesia!) and got sent for my barium swallow and x-ray

~3pm - woke back up from my pain injection and they let me go home after walking around for a bit

Overall, my experience was much better than I feared. Did I mention I am a wimp with pain? I was scared before the surgery, but my mind was put at ease by the great staff at the hospital!

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks Dawn, was there any catheterization??? Not my favoriate thing.. Rick

Not been banded yet and do not know but I would assume that even if it isnt standard proceedure you can request to be out before insertion.

Mine was an overnight stay. I actually had to stay an extra night because my BP and heart rate were slow to come back up to normal range. Anyway, when I got there, they took me to pre-op, gave me a gown, took vitals, weight, asked me to pee, put leg things on me (the keep circulation up to decrease the likelihood of blood clots), then put me on the gurney and wheeled me to OR Triage where they put in the IV, gave me a shot of something to prevent blood clots...I waited there for a little while, met with the surgeon on more time, met with the anesthesiologist and OR nurse. Then wheeled into the OR, scooted over to the OR table...they put me under right away...I woke up 2.5 hours later in Recovery...no catheter then up to my room. They kept me very comfortable.

Mine was an overnight stay as well. When I checked in I asked for an anti anxiety drug so that helped. I didn't see my surgeon before surgery just the anastesthialogist. I was under for about an hour I think. The most difficult part was the tube down the throat for breathing. I had a terrible sore throat afterwards. Surgery was easy.

No catheter for me either. My surgeon believes that his patients are motivated to get up and walk after surgery (to the bathroom!) if he doesn't give one. I did have a bit of a scratchy throat from the breathing tube, but overall was in pretty decent shape.

They did send me home with an inspirometer (sp?) which reminded me to take slow deep breaths after the surgery.

Catheterization was on my mind also but my doctor said it is never necessary. I was awake exactly two hours later. Prep was only putting on a gown and getting an IV started. I did really well--I didn't have gas pains and never needed anything for pain/discomfort. I hope that your experience is equally as mellow.

Good luck Rick! When is the big day?

Well, for me, I went in, got comfortable in my room. They had an overnight stay for all patients where I went (TJ Mexico). I had an IV put in, and about an hour later I walked in to surgery. They gave me the anesthesia but I don't remember it. My surgery took about 35 minutes. Afterwards I was aparently a little bit of a chatterbox (but I don't remember that either!!!) and then I slept about an hour. They made me get up and talk about twice around the clinic and then I continued to sleep for the remainder of the night. I felt fine the next day and we got released from the hospital. I walked around quite a bit the next day.

Thanks for all the help, I have been told that my crappy United Health Careless wont cover me... Any one been there... I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.. Rick

Rick, I'm sorry to hear that. I went through that three times before I said, F&%K it and paid for it myself. It's the best money I've ever spent...

Do you mind telling me the cost and how you were treated by the doc and hosp with out of pocket and not covered???

I had surgery in Mexico so I arrived the day before and had all the pre-ops done.

Morning of surgery got to the hospital at 7AM, met with the anesthesiologist, surgeon x2, and internal medicine guy. Sergio the head nurse for Dr. Aceves gave me an injection of Lovenox to prevent blood clots. Then another nurse gave me some Versed and something to prevent nausea. Changed into a gown, read a book, and the nurse woke me up to take me to OR. Went to OR in my bed, moved to the OR table, they started an IV, gave me drugs, and I woke up in recovery.

Piece of cake.

I've lost 80lbs, had surgery in December, I love my doc, and the cost was about $8K. I wrote a check, but many get loans and such.

Rick,

One thing about my self pay option was that I got a package deal. Cost me $16,500, but that included all the presurg lab and any complications for 6 months and all the fills I required for a year. One girl who had insurance told me they billed the insurance like, $24,000 and she has to pay for all her fills, plus she had about $3,000 out of pocket. Being in insurance for 25 years before becoming a nurse,,I know doctors will bill higher on the insurance than they charge a self pay,,eith way,,they get their money,,lol.

Presurg-arrive at hospital at 5:30am

put on gown, wheel me to the production line,,lol

meet anesthesiologist, nurse, see my surgeon again,,

they pushed the meds in my IV,,

I remember waking up in my room and hurting

I have a low threshold for pain, got lots of meds

Stayed overnight, went home around noon.

No gas,,just hurting, bent over. One a scale of 1-10, it was

about a 4. I kept looking at my incisions and saying GEE! That

wasnt so bad afterall!

Was it worth the money? ABSO-FRECKIN-LUTELY!!!

Would I sacriffice alot to do it again?? NO QUESTION!!

Good luck and keep on posting!!!

banded 1/29/07

Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS

331/273/150

1.6cc/4cc band