Well, I am now officially a bandster! :banana The surgery went really well and although I am pretty sore, I have not really experienced a lot of pain. I went to the hospital at 11 am yesterday and was in surgery by 12:30. That was a lot sooner than I expected! I figured I would be lucky if I was in by 3. Sugery lasted 2 hours. I expected to be able to get up and start walking after surgery, but that was not the case for me. I was hooked up to an IV, oxygen, and a catheter until about an hour before being released. No walking for me! I had a basal drip of morphine in my IV that gave me a dose about once per hour and I also had the button in case that was not enough, but I only pushed it once and I think that was more out of curiosity than real pain. Also, I feel the gas a little but it's not painful at all. All in all, I have to say this surgery has been a piece o' cake!!! I have 5 incisions, the longest about 2 inches.

My DH has been the worst Nervous Nellie you could imagine! He has been hovering over me like a brand new momma and won't let me do ANYTHING for myself. OK, I admit, I kinda like it!!!

My boss brought over a gift basket with all kinds of cute things and a card signed by everyone at work AND she stopped by the mexican food store and bought a bunch of frozen homemade tamales! It's gonna be at least a couple of weeks before I can give them a try, though. Can't wait!!! What's really funny is that they still don't know what kind of surgery I had, LOL!

My dr said I week of liquids and then I can start softs, but I am going to play it by ear. If I don't feel like I am ready for softs yet, I will definetly stay on liquids. One thing I have learned from all of you is to take this part slow and easy!

I can't believe how easy this has been for me! I hope this is a sign of good things to come!

Blossom, what wonderful news!! Congratulations on being a new Bandster! Now that's the type of banding story we like to hear! Please take care of yourself and don't overdo. Work on getting your liquids in and walk around as much as you comforably can. Not to put a damper on you, but you are on an emotional high right now. Please don't be surprised if you do feel bad for a few days. Temporary. Temporary. But, then again, it will be great if you continue to feel good! Wow, you got a catheter and didn't have to get up and go to the bathroom all night! Cool!

I laughed about your DH. Enjoy that attention as long as you can! Mine spent the night at the hospital w/ me. He jumped up everytime I had to go to the bathroom (which was a lot). The next a.m., he looked like he'd been hit by a mack truck. He said he'd make a terrible prisoner of war, just use sleep deprivation and he'd tell them anything they wanted to know. LOL

You're wise, please take it slow and easy on healing and eating stages. Don't push yourself. And your boss brought homemade tamales! That's too funny! Better stick those in the back of the freezer, out of sight! I'd give myself longer than 2 weeks before trying them.

Congratulations! I bet your puppy was glad to see you! Now don't let him jump on your tummy!

Blossom - Welcome back! I am glad you had an easy time of it. I had a catheter too, and it was my best friend. Take it easy and don't over do even if you feel pretty good. You need to heal up girl! Keep us posted on your progress.

Blossom Congratulations on being a new Bandster, and good luck .take care of yourself

What a great way to start on your banding journey! Hope your recovery is just as easy.

I forgot to tell you guys the funniest part! After surgery, they put those lovely hose on me to prevent blood clots in my legs. But then they went even further and wrapped my feet in these inflatable footware things. Every few seconds one would inflate and clench my foot, then the other one would do the same thing. Felt like someone was at the foot of the bed grabbing my feet! Boy, if it weren't for the morphine I wouldn't have gotten any sleep at all!!! LOL!

Those are to help prevent you getting blood clots. (Leatha can tell you the dangers of those!) I loved those things and wanted to bring them home w/ me! It felt like a massage. But I had to get someone to disconnect them every time I got up to go to the bathroom (since I didn't have a catheter). So, since I was up and moving so much, they just left them off after a few hours of use.

Congratulations Blossom!!! I am so happy for you that you now banded and that it was such a smooth process for you. I wish you a speedy healing and happy days ahead. How nice your friends brought you a gift basket; it is okay that they do not know whay type of surgery -- just so you know you are loved and missed at work helps lift the spirits. Best wishes, Theresa Marie :banana

Congratulations Blossom!!! Glad that everything went well, take care and good luck!

-Nora

Woo Hoo!

Congrats Blossom!

I'm so glad to hear everything went well. Just take it easy and don't try to do too much too soon. Keep us posted on your progress.

Tricia

Welcom Home Blossom and Congratulations! Like everyone else has said..take it easy and rest. Even though you feel great , the last thing you want to do is overdue things.

I had forgotten about those messager thingies until now. Boy did those feel good. I wanted to take them home with me too.

Blossom I'm glad everything went smooth for you! Keep us posted OK. (I know you will)

Congratulations, Blossom, and welcome to Bandland!

The world is divided on those circulation boots; people either love 'em (Marie & Lisa G) or hate 'em (you and me).

FYI, I ate the outside of tamales (basically they're just corn meal) when I moved to mushy food and had no problems -- so don't bury those goodies too far back in the freezer!

Awesome Blossom!

I had my SCD's off more than they were on... walked through the entire post-op night... finally left them off as I was tired of asking my hubby for help to reconnect them! Besides... I figured pacing up and down the halls would keep those clots from forming! Welcome to bandland!

Darcy

Blossom...

Way to go girl. great job. I spoke to your DH and I told him not to bother you with house work and all. Gave him advise told him to stack dishes up in neat piles for you so when you fell better to can get them cleaned. LOL LOL

Welcome to the real world now.

Thanks, Everyone!!!! Ya'll are all so sweet (even Greg!)!

I have a new development. Last night and again this evening I have had some major gas. I thought all the gas pains I was reading about was just the gas they blow you up with for surgery, not this bloated, farting gas. I have chewed a whole box of gas-x and am still gassy. I think my stomach must be really swollen, because I just can't put much in there, not even much Water. Could this be the reason for all the gas?