Hello all

I was just banded on May 1, 2008. I checked in at 5:30 am, was taken to pre-op @ 20 minutes later and here is how it went. I was assisted by a nurse and a nursing student. I was given my lovely robe and slippers and a numbing shot for my IV site. I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse at this time also. I hit the bathroom one last time then I was wheeled off to the OR. I know this is TMI, but I gotta tell ya - try if at all possible to have a bm the morning of your surgery so that you will not have to do any pushing afterward.

I remember scooting from my bed to the operating table, taking a deep breath then waking up in post op ( recovery). Before surgery I made sure to tell the nursing student to watch my face when I woke up so that if I had any pain I could get my pain meds started asap. Well, as soon I started to become aware, before I even opened my eyes, I heard the nursing student say "she's frowning!". The post op nurse asked me to rate the pain and I was given the appropriate pain killer and back off to sleep I was. I woke up @ 10:00 am to get moved to the outpatient recovery room and was able to visit with my family and watch tv for a while. I took a swallowing x-ray test and met with my surgeon who said that he wished all his bandings were as easy as mine. I guess my pre-op liver shrinking diet was worth it afterall.

I have small kids so I stayed with family to be waited on while my hubbie took care of the kids at home. It was so nice - my family served me broth hot tea, Jello, Water and my pain meds. They also read all of the literature and talked about how proud they were of me for being so brave and making a healthy choice.

I slept well on my left side and woke up at 4:oo am for some pain meds then was up and about reading throughout the day. I took a nap from noon to 3:00 p.m and was rested enough to come home tonight. I am still using my pain meds - though not every four hours like I was at first. I took great care not to use my stomach muscles even when they were feeling ok as I didnt want to be sore later. I also walked up and down steps several times and I think that is making my recovery so much easier.

Some of my concerns: I was afraid of being aware of the breathing tube being taken out. - It was out before I becare aware of anything. I was scared about the whole naked thing - I was draped with blue paper sheets and the portion of my stomach that was operated on was the only thing showing. I was worried that my large chest would get in the way - The girls were taped up out of the way. YAY!!

All in all, do not fear the pain... it is so doable and the surgery is so worth it!

Thanks so much for sharing this with us -- glad to hear all went well.

Blessings for continued healing and for the rest of your Journey!!

Thanks so much and good luck to you!!!!

Now that's the kinda story I like !

My big worry is conscious intibation. I have sleep apnea and five years ago when I had an abdominal hysterectomy I had to have the breathing tube shoved down my throat while I was still awake. NOT a pleasant experience despite the banana flavored numbing agent...and yes, I remember everything including the feeling that I was choking to death.

My consult is on the 13th and if everything goes well surgery should be the middle of June.

....ooow...I need to go shake off that memory now !

Yes Tammy - shake it off. All will go fine as it is an elective procedure, the Dr's have plenty of time to knock you out and wake you up without being rushed so you shouldnt be aware of any tubes.

My surgery was very similar, it was done on the 30th. I thought about the 'boobs' thing too! I told my pre-surgery nurse I was worried I would be made fun of while I was on the table (I tend to overthink things). Of course she said no!!

A funny thing about the boobs - I told my BF that right now I cant wear a bra b/c 2 of my incisions are under each boob. She said "they put the incisions that high up?" I said "no, my boobs are that LOW" . So, just a couple days out and I am allready laughing.

Thats too funny!!!!

Thanks for the story!!! My surgery is coming up this month and I'm really excited but really nervous. Everyone in the May 2008 threads would love to hear this story since they might not be able to find it here!

I am not sure how to copy it to the May thread - any ideas?

I'm an ol'pro at surgery. As a kid I never had to go to the hospital with the usual ailments, broken bones or needing stitches.(not sure how, cause I was a real tomboy) But in 2000 I had a torn meniscus in my knee. I remember reading the list of how my surgery would go, and started to freak when I read about the tube being put down your throat. They can't even do the strep test without me almost throwing up. I even tell my dentist at the end of an exam when he checks my jaw and neck and looks around my mouth with his little mirror, to be careful or he'll get a first hand look at my lunch. Then 2 years later the other knee was done. I was less nervous, by then. And another year later, I had emergency gallbladder surgery. Now I know I'll never feel, or know about the tube and it feels like 5 minutes has gone by between them saying "take a deep breath" and "Susan, wake up, it's all done.". Also it's probably the best sleep out there besides being dead. HAHA:ohmy:

I also had my bandding on May 1st and today I feel really good. Five nights will give you more than enough time to get back on your feet.

The port is not visible. I haven't put a bra on yet but I don't anticipate any problem. I can not even feel the port.

glad everything went well...my surgery is Thurs the 8th and I'm so nervous....Had to get blood work done again friday because my white blood cell count is so high....found out I have a bladder infection so they put me on bactrim and I will be good to go on Thurs.

Glad ur recovery is going well...and I can tell I'm dropping weight or at least Water weight on this 10 day preop diet....I'm liking it...and I'm also scared to death...I've never been skinny and I was thinking today ...oh my goodness I'm gonna get thinner than this...how am I going to deal??? I almost wanted to cry..I'm that scared ..this is gonna be all new territory for me...well any way...congrats again on an excellent recovery

No worries I can do it for you Its in the threads if you scroll down on the main forum page, its under the monthly lap band support groups, then 2008, then May 2008, there is a lot of excitment, and nerves, because we are all being banded in the next couple weeks!!!! Thanks again for such a positive experience, I know everyone is different, but a positive story will always help lift some spirits

Haha I just went to post your story and saw you beat me too it!!! Everyone there will love and appreciate any tips!!!

No worries I can do it for you Its in the threads if you scroll down on the main forum page, its under the monthly lap band support groups, then 2008, then May 2008, there is a lot of excitment, and nerves, because we are all being banded in the next couple weeks!!!! Thanks again for such a positive experience, I know everyone is different, but a positive story will always help lift some spirits

I tried to just copy -hope it worked

Haha I just went to post your story and saw you beat me too it!!! Everyone there will love and appreciate any tips!!!

Yeah - I just wanted people to know that it can be a good experience also - I was so scared by all the "5 days out and I cant move" stories!

I also had my bandding on May 1st and today I feel really good. Five nights will give you more than enough time to get back on your feet.

Congrats to you!!!

glad everything went well...my surgery is Thurs the 8th and I'm so nervous....Had to get blood work done again friday because my white blood cell count is so high....found out I have a bladder infection so they put me on bactrim and I will be good to go on Thurs.

Glad ur recovery is going well...and I can tell I'm dropping weight or at least Water weight on this 10 day preop diet....I'm liking it...and I'm also scared to death...I've never been skinny and I was thinking today ...oh my goodness I'm gonna get thinner than this...how am I going to deal??? I almost wanted to cry..I'm that scared ..this is gonna be all new territory for me...well any way...congrats again on an excellent recovery

I know how you feel. I keep telling my husband that this is going to be a whole new thing for me. I lost @10 lbs during my pre-op diet and thought I had it going on (hahaha). That has always been my downfall - loosing a few pounds - getting cocky and gaining all plus some. I am so glad I got banded.

Your copying worked fine