Amanda's surgery 4-2-08

[dogluvr 1]

Okay so I am feeling a bit better now, 3 days post-op. Lots of gas all around, for sure!

Anyways, my check in time was 12:15, I filled out the last minute paperwork, and my dad and friend were escorted back into the pre-op area. You can see pictures of their beautiful facilities at thelapband.com The nurse weighed me, I lost 13 lbs pre-op, yay! And then I got into the gown, robe, and knee high socks lol, and kicked back in the recliner chair. My friend had been banded there almost a month ago so we were just talking and joking around while my dad feigned a nap. Then they gave me the shot of blood thinner, heparin and Im not going to lie that ish hurt!!!!!!! Then the anesthesiologist came and talked to me, decided since I couldnt get my nose piercing out that theyd just tape it up, and then Dr. Montgomery checked in, nurse put my IV in, and it was only a matter of time.

I did okay up until I had to say goodbye to my dad and friend, as I was walking back to the OR I got weepy and kind of panicky. But that stopped when I got back into the room the staff was soooo nice and calmed me down. They put the things on my legs to circulate blood and gave me a heated blanket because it was chilly in there. Then amidst small talk my aneths. gave me some juice and the nurse put the mask over my face. It smelled funny and all a sudden my face got tingly all over and..... out like a light.

It only took me 12 minutes to wake up, and I was groggy but determined not to fall back asleep. I fought drifting off and my pain was at like an 8. She gave me some dilaudid I think and it didnt make any difference. Gave me another .5 and still no change. They gave me some cold Water to drink, and I got that down okay. I was wincing and not floaty-happy at all like my friend was after surgery lol!!! For some reason at this point I just wanted to go home so I fought to stay awake. My oxygen kept dropping so on and off went the O2 mask. Finally I got up and did manage to get dressed by myself. The sugar free hard candy really was comforting though!! I do recommend that.

I felt every bump on the ride home. Was moving around a bit- got home around 5. Was up until 5 am. Around noon my dad came to rescue me, I was stuck with my sleep apnea mask on and for those of you who use CPAP you cant talk let alone yell with a mask on! (or a nasal one like mine) I couldnt lift my arm up to get it off. So he gets it off me, and tries to help me up. Pain so bad I blacked out for a half minute. He went and got me my lortab and we tried again lol and I was up. Dr. wants his bandsters to walk around, so I hobbled. No appetite. (awesome!) Not going to lie to you pre- bandsters the day after surgery was the worse. Cold compress on my stomach was WONDERFUL and heating pad on my neck and shoulder helped with the gas pains. Take your meds if youre in pain! Nobodys gotta lie to kick it! Day 2 was still very painful, but I gained more mobility. Think I gave myself a hemmerhoid though lolol:scared2: Im drinking plenty of fluids though, and am very happy that I had the surgery. I'm one of those people that dont want things sugarcoated- just tell me how it is- and I will say that I was little prepared for the actual pain involved, maybe its just me Ive read posts where you crazy bandsters dont even use your pain meds!, but it gets better every day. Have someone stay with you for a day or two to help out, make sure you have a cold compress, I got one from Walgreens that strappe dloosely to my stomach. My experience was good thanks to the wonderful staff at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery and thanks to my dad and friends and family who supported me. And my chihuahuas who kept my feet warm!

To all the April Avengers scheduled soon good luck and ease up youll do great! If you need to talk or anything just pm me or email me.

[smgallop 1]

Amanda,

You experience sounds just bout like a photocopy of mine on April 3rd. How is the pain going for you now? I'm still on mine, though not everytime I'm due for it. I take it when I've overdone it. Yetserday we went to Walmart, CVSa nd GNC. I thought I was going to die when I got back home. How's sleeping going for you? I've got insomnia and aren't sure what to do about it.