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 for the story!!! I GO TO MY FIRST DR. APPT 5/29 TO SET UP SURGERY. I HAVE REALLY BEEN WORRIED BECAUSE I HAD A C SECTION WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN AND ALMOST DIED. SO IM AFRAID OF SURGERY. I HOE MINE GOES AS WELL AS YOURS.. THANKS AGAIN!! I REALLY NEEDED TO HEAR SOME GOOD ABOUT LAPBAND BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING AT ALL!!!

Sounds like you did great. I hope that I will do as well.

I have surgery on May 22. I am so excitied. Can't wait.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! It really helped to alleviate my fears about the actual surgery part of this process!

I wish you the best of luck on your journey towards health!

Wow! I hope that my recovery goes as smoothly as yours has. I am worried because I am doing this all ALONE. I am travelling by myself, going through the surgery alone, returning alone, and recovering alone. I hope that I am strong enough to do it!

Wow! I hope that my recovery goes as smoothly as yours has. I am worried because I am doing this all ALONE. I am travelling by myself, going through the surgery alone, returning alone, and recovering alone. I hope that I am strong enough to do it!

You are going to be fine. It may be a little scary but alot of people do it on their own. Also, from what I hear, many of the Dr's in Mexico have close contact with their people after the operations - while they are in the hospital. Also, if possible, make arragements to log on while you are recoving - it helped me alot to chat with others going through the same thing.

Hi Nancy!~

I am also getting banded on May 22nd!

Where are you from? I'm from the Los Angeles area.

Terri

Freedom 2008

Thanks for sharing your experience. I won't be banded for several months so really can't say anything on that subject. However, having had 5 abdominal surgeries in my time....getting up and walking as soon as humanly possible even if it hurts is really the best thing that one can do to help the recovery process.

Glad things went so well for you! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing your experiences and your great advice !

I am from New Hampshire. Good luck on your surgery.

I Can't wait.

Thanks so much for the story. My surgery won't be till October or November but reading these stories eases the worries for when the time is here!

Freedom 2008

Thanks for sharing your experience. I won't be banded for several months so really can't say anything on that subject. However, having had 5 abdominal surgeries in my time....getting up and walking as soon as humanly possible even if it hurts is really the best thing that one can do to help the recovery process.

I just wanted to second that - getting up and moving around hurts but it is your friend long-term. I haven't been banded yet, but I've had two c-sections, and with the first they left the epidural in for 24 hours, which meant I stayed parked in bed. I was miserable for two weeks with that one. With the second I had a spinal (no catheter stayed in my back) and I was up moving around 8 hours after the delivery. When my daughter's pediatrician came in to see her the next morning, 24 hours after surgery, he thought she was a vaginal delivery since I was up, dressed and brushing my teeth and moving around like a normal person. So GET UP as soon as the nurse tells you it's safe, even if it hurts. You will be glad you did.