I saw the law enforcement thread and wanted to make one to include fire and EMS as well. I'm a 25 year old paramedic from Texas. Got banded 2/4/08, so I'm 3 days post op.

Congrats on your surgery....I was banded on 2-4-08 as well.

Congrats to you too. How are you feeling? the last couple of days have been a new experience to say the least. I hope we can get to feeling normal again soon.

Feeling fine............my incisions are itching which is a good sign they are healing. Everything seems to be working toward being normal.

Hey since we are on the same day, would you mind telling me how many times a day you have been eating, and how much you have been able to handle? Thanks.

Hey guy's,

I'm none of the above but was banded the day after y'all, FAT TUESDAY Feb 5th. Gasses were kickin some ass but have eased off a bit now. First thing I have noticed is I cant burp??? Have all the feelings like I need to but just cant, it's not a big problem just uncomfortable at time's.

It was one thing reading about "how it's going to be" post-op, and living it. I've passed more gas this past week than I have in a month! I'm having to make myself drink, scared of drinking to much and coming back up but I guess I should look at it like learning to walk all over again. I need to know how much I can drink, dont want to do this in public!

Watching the X-ray of me drinking the barrium after surgery gave me an idea of why they say to sip your drinks. Starting "mushies" tomorrow so we'll see how that goes. Good new's is I'm down about 40 lbs since the beginning of this ordeal.

Good luck to all, Steve

Good to hear things are going well, Aggie and Loprofyl. And way to go, Steve!

Did they keep you in the hospital overnight? I just got my authorization from the insurance company, and I thought I was going to be staying overnight, but it looks like they're just giving me that day. I'd feel safer staying overnight, I think.

Hi Aggie, I was an EMT for years and quit because my knees gave out. Couldn't jump out of the ambulance or run back for supplies or get people up and down stairs anymore. Then I had both knees replaced and then I couldn't kneel on the floor or ground.......What good is an EMT that can't kneel? I'm still a nurse though but would like to retire.

Fenton,

My Doc had me stay over night for observation. Thats just the way he does things. I'm glad I did too, I felt pretty out of it for that first day and the pain meds were good!! I slept pretty much the whole day. It wasnt until the next day that I had to do the "Swallow" test and was allowed to go home.

Stay in touch and let us know how everything goes. Good luck

Good to meet you Sfeiner,

I’ve been an EMT here in Tx for about 4 years. I am moving up to Paramedic soon and cant wait. EMS is one of the main reasons I wanted to get the band. I hated huffing and puffing every time I made Pt contact. I can’t imagine how this is going to improve my ability to work and not need the O2 more than the Pt. I too want to transition to RN in a few years.

Stay in touch

Hi Aggie, Good for you. You are in a great field. Never a shortage of jobs. 2 years ago our family was in cabins in northern Wi on vacation when my sister had a cardiac arrest right in front of me. No one else knew how to do cpr but they learned fast! I was only 3 mos post op from knee surgery and started the cpr but showed other family members how because it felt like my knees were on fire from kneeling. We had to keep it up for 20 min before first responders came with an AED and got a rhythm. Then an ambulance came about 10 min later and took her to the hosp and then she was airlifted to a largr hosp. She arrested 5 more times the next 2 days but she is alive and well (but terribly over weight)

I think that was the happiest I've ever been to be in the medical field. You just never know when your experience will be needed.

Banded Aggie,

There are two of us now. '89. I am four days post op and doing ok.

I started the law enforcement thread.. sorry I left the firefighter/EMT guys out. I know you guys work right alongside us Law Enforcement guys. I have lived in small towns where they have cop/EMT/volunteer firefighters all in one.

Anyway I got banded on Jan 31. I am already 10 pounds down. I look forward to be a looser with you guys!

CBPO Robert Nin

Howdy Qwert!!!

Good to meet you. I am a new '07 grad still living in Aggieland. I got banded a week ago today and feel pretty good. let me know how things go.

I am an officer with an EMT-B certification. I use both often on the job. But, I really love it when the "real" EMT's/Paramedics show up to take over for me.:scared2: Great job guys!!!!

How long after surgery were you guys able to lift a significant amount? I am a little scared to try and lift a PT on a backboard or stretcher too soon and risk hurting myself.