I had my surgery on the 27th. They had to do a very large h. hernia repair. The doctor said the hernia was a large, they could holler in there and it would echo!!!

I had the berium swallow test about 2 hours after surgery and OMG, nothing would go down past the band. They thought it was from the swelling from the trama of the hernia repair. So, I spent a very miserable night in the hospital. Next day, they repeated the berium swallow; still nothing would go past the band. They repeated the test about 5 hours later and still nothing. You cannot imagine the agony both physical and mental I was going through.

At that point I was vomiting some very FUNKY stuff. So, another night in the hospital. At 10:30 that evening the nurse finally called the dr. and told him that something was very, very wrong. So, they scheduled me for another surgery. My mental angony could not even be explained. I was in surgery 2.5 hours on Wednesday. But the good news in all of this, is the next morning when I had the berium swallow test, I hit a grand slam home run. Everything was moving great. Then the bad news. Because I had been through so much in such a short amount of time, they wanted me in the hospital one more night.

The next morning, they came in and informed me that I would probably would not get to go home because my potassium count was too low. I looked the nurse in the eye and said "The hell I will". Anyway, they were able to get it up to an acceptable level and I went home at 1 p.m. Friday. So, from Monday to Friday and this was supposed t be day surgery.

I apologize for this rambling message. Everyone let me know how they are doing.

I am going to go rest now. I will feel better tomorow and we can chat more than. Talk later,

Will I sure hope you doing much better now..... Just be strong. I am getting banded 10/11/07

Congrats. on getting through all the trauma and uncertainty. You're one tough gal. The rest should be a cakewalk for you, after going through all that. Good luck to you. Keep us all posted on your progress.

Just a quick update--had my surgery on 08-30-07. I had no problems with the surgery or the trip home, but by evening I was having the gas pains that everyone talks about. Words can't do them justice--even my eyebrows hurt from the cramps. I walked and walked, but nothing was moving.

Forty hours post surgery (yes, I was counting), and I finally burped. Then I belched. Then I -- well, from the other end... ALL NIGHT LONG. Best night of my life! I feel positively human again today.

Thankfully, I was prepared. I had Gas-X strips and a heating pad. I don't think I could have survived without them.

Interestingly enough, I haven't had ANY pain from the incisions or the port. Just a mild bruised feeling under the bandaids.

I think this actually serves as a very good example of a case where it is absolutely not the patient's fault that their band slipped. I think lots of people get caught up in "What did you do to cause it" you know? Sometimes it just happens.

I'm sorry about your ordeal, but at least you were still in the hospital where the doctors and nurses could monitor you, and not at home panicking!!

All good things come to those that wait so I know everyone will be smooth sailing from here on in. So sorry you had to go through that but at least your home and know everything is a okay. Good luck. Take care of yourself. I'll be praying for you and keeping you in my thoughts.

Hugs,

Sherri Jo

That was my experience too. I was astounded at how LITTLE discomfort I had locally where the incisions and the work was done. It was ALL GAS. And when the air starts coming out from BOTH ends you think HALLELULIAH! When it would start moving out for me, my family could hear me in the back of the house yelling "YEAH BABEEE!"

Claramae...you GO girlfriend! You are over the big hurdle and you are a real TROUPER! Now you just concentrate on getting better every day. You are officially in BandLand. You know the old saying "The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side Of The Fence (or Hill)". With us it is totally true. Your fence was just a little higher than some other folks....some people had step stools, some folks had a 50 foot knoted rope they had to shinny up. The operative word here is you have LANDED and nobody can stop you now girl!

:whoo:

Claramae-- Sounds like you are ion the right track now-- keep your head up and thank goodness that you were still in the hospital when they diescovered it- could have been worse if you were at home!!

Good luck!

I really do not know what I would do without all you wonderful people. We are all total strangers, spread all over this great earth. All the way from my little town in Texas to Austrial, England, Long Island. I never knew I had so many friends. My true friends throw a victory party when I fart!!!!! That is love:kiss2: I am always happy to hear from anyone and get new information. However, there is one person that was banded on the same day as myself. At one of my lowest points yesterday, I signed on and saw a message from her. I actually cried!!!! I need help!!!!!!:heh:

So, thanks so much for all the letters of encouragement and all your own cases of personal struggle. I do not feel alone.

Love you all

Claramae I'm so glad you are doing much better!