Well here's my story of my experience with the surgery...

As you know I was scheduled to be his first surgery than got bumped to being his second (don't know why but whatever, made me laugh because he had to be there super early and we both left the hospital at the same time haha). So we got there at 8:15am, got all checked in and sent down to wait in the surgical day care waiting area. We did not have to wait there long at all before someone came to see me - maybe 10-15 minutes at the most. We went into the surgical day care area, they filled out the last bit of papers, weighed me, checked blood pressure, etc and gave me some kind of pill to take and off I went to get changed into my fancy socks, slippers and gown. Went over to the bed/stretcher area that they had for me, they came to put the I.V. in and had a hard time getting it in the back of my hand because of the size the anaesthesiologist wanted them to use so they ended doing it on the inside of my arm instead with a smaller size needle. So that was all done and now I just had to wait until my surgery time. The anaesthesiologist came down to say hi as did my surgeon before hand and then off I went to the OR. The got me all assembled on the table then did the - you're going to feel really relaxed and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery coughing like a son of a gun from them pulling the tube out of my throat. I wanted to just lay there and be sleepy but I figured that wouldn't do me any good so I fought the anaesthetic to stay awake. They gave me a thing into my IV for pain and I laid in recovery for a bit then they took me over to the surgical day care area. Was completely awake once I got to the surgical day care area. Got once to go to the bathroom and after I got back in bed I felt a teensy bit nauseous and a bit sore so after a while they gave me a bit of morphine and some gravol which actually made me feel worse after that so no more pain/anti nausea meds for me! Had to go to the bathroom again just after they gave me the morphine and they didn't want to let me get up (protocol) and I was like well I gotta pee so lets just give it a shot see if I'm steady enough on me feet (NO WAY WAS I PEEING IN A BED PAN!), I was so off I went again to the bathroom. Once I got back into bed I was still a bit tired and was cat napping when my DF arrived so we chatted for a bit and I cat napped a bit more, woke up and had to use the bathroom again (silly IV) and this time I went and then did a couple of laps around the ward. My mouth was incredibly dry and I was very thirsty but I wasn't allowed to have icechips until like 4pm or so which was great when I got them. Dr.Hornstein (the anaesthesiologist) came by at some point to check on me and then Dr.Woodhead (my surgeon) came by around 5pm to say if I was ready to go or not and I was. So got dressed and off we went.

THANKFULLY I did not get any gas pain in my shoulder which I am very happy about. I have some in my belly but apparently it's much more painful if you get it in your shoulder as well (this is from the gas they have to pump your belly with during surgery).

So I am up and about today moving around (not too quickly but not super slowly either). I am currently drinking my apple juice for Breakfast and may follow it up with some Jello later.

This is my Post-Op Diet Timeline:

day 1 - Water only

day 2 - 4 clear fluids (apple juice, jello, broth)

day 6-16 full fluids (can now add pudding, yogurt, milk, cream Soups - strained)

day 17 - 31 is pureed foods

day 32 - slowly reintroduce solid foods.

Congrats ANG! Welcome to the other side. I hope today is treating you well. Day 3 for some reason was my most exhausting day!

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! I've actually been doing alright - not too hungry, bit of a gas pain everyonce and a while still but I also know I haven't been walking as much as I should (and to top it off it snowed today lol). But I'm doing alright! Looking forward to moving onto the full liquids stage as the Clear Liquids is starting to get a bit boring.

Today was a quiet day so even for day 3 post surgery, it wasn't too shabby. I did however get to take a shower today - first day since surgery that I was allowed and well - that was quite the experience. We just have a stand up shower stall so DF stood at the open door and took a wash cloth to all the iodine, etc on my belly. The Water wasn't super hot the way I usually like it as I thought it was probably not a good idea on my tummy. I had just finished washing my hair and rinsing it when I knew bad things were about to happen. I think it is from a lack of calories/nutrients and the hot water as I opened the door and told DF "must sit now" (he was waiting outside the shower for me in case I needed him) as I knew if I didn't sit down I would have passed out in the bathroom (which isnt very spacious). So dripping wet I made a beeline for the toilet seat and had to sit there, leaning against him while the dark cloud came over me (I don't know if any of you have ever passed out before or almost passed out - but it's not fun). This is not a feeling that I am a stranger too and I knew the signs that it was coming - I've had issues with this since I was a kid (blood tests come back fine though everytime and it's VERY sporadic and occasional). I was leaning against him and I think I did actually pass out (wasn't from pain as I wasn't in any) leaning against him. When I was able to we got me to the bed, I lay down and just chilled there for about an hour. So note to everyone, if your low on your calories/blood sugar, careful with warm showers as that is usually what triggers me on my "near black out" moments, and post-surgery was no exception.

On an exciting note - my official "weight day" isn't until Wednesday so I am not updating or putting it on my tracker but so far - down 8 lbs since surgery on the 23rd. I realize that I will likely gain some of this back once I start mushies but I'll be so damn happy to have mushies I don't think I will care!!

Hope everyone is doing well! *big hugs and well wishes to you all*

Never heard that before....Has that been your experience or is that a known thing? It's funny, because my day 3 post-op was not pretty, I can tell you that much! So maybe it's true!

It's actually been my experience (as well as that of friends) but also what has been told to me on more than one occasion by doctors.

Hiya - congrats on making it through to the other side! I live in Surrey and you're the first person I've found who's gotten this done in the MetroVancouver area. Would you mind telling what it cost? Is any covered by bcmed? Does Dr. Woodhead do bypass also? Is he accepting patients? Thanx so much for posting.

Thank you! If you check out the Canada boards there is a group that posts under different threads related to BC Bandsters, you should check them out some time. None of the lapband procedure is covered by BC Medical unfortunately, and likely won't be any time soon. Gastric Bypass is covered but I believe the waitlist is about 6 years now for it if you have it paid for by medical. I don't know if he does bypasses or not (I don't think he does though) but he does do the "sleeve". His cost is $400 consulation fee (first time you meet with him) and the cost of the surgery is $14,000 (includes free aftercare fills no charge for them). I believe he is accepting patients you just have to call and ask how to go about getting a consult (they send you a questionnaire to fill out) - I'll pm you his number. I will say though - if you are seriously considering the band and have the money to self pay - give it great thought before going to Mexico or the US at this point. Not due to lack of great surgeons but due to there not being very much aftercare options in BC right now. Dr.Leung in Surrey also does the lapband and WILL NOT accept any other surgeons patients. Dr.Woodhead *may* and I say that with great emphasis as I know he prefers not to as well. Other than that, your only other option for aftercare would be to travel to Everett area in Washington to one of the fill places there. So be sure you check out all of your options before settling on a location/surgeon. I would have loved to go to Dr.Kirschenbaum in Denver for a cheaper price but figured by the time I have to go through the hassell and paying for fills (most places charge $150-200 in the states , per fill) that it wasn't worth it and that it was worth shelling out the extra $5000 up front. Good luck on your journey and decisions, feel free to message me at any time. :cursing: