This thread will be a sticky so that people can post their surgery day stories so that those who come after can have an idea of what to expect.

It has been 24 hours since I had my surgery.

I feel surprisingly well...aside from the bloating gassy tummy and sore incision sites.

I'll try to be brief about my experience, but for anyone wondering, here is how yesterday happened.

My surgery was scheduled for 6:30, so we had to be there (Tempe New-Day Surgery Center) by 5:30. Once we arrived, I confirmed all of the information they had for me on file, and was escorted to the prep rooms. I changed into a gown, complete with an adult diaper, and got my IV in & blood drawn. Then Elmo, my husband, was allowed to sit with me until Dr. Simpson & his crew arrived. Elmo thought I looked especially sexy, especially in the diaper, and I had to agree.

First I met my surgical nurses, then Dr. Simpson came in to explain the procedure again and answer any pre-surgical questions I had thought of. I asked him to take a picture of the lap-band once inside, just so I KNEW it was there. I know, I have trust issues! And, last but not least, the anestesiologist came in to introduce himself and ask his own set of questions. I told him that I was prone to throwing up after surgery, and so he assured me that he would make sure it was not an issue with this surgery. Throwing up with thelap band is HIGHLY discouraged.

At about 6:40, I was wheeled into an OR by the very nice and cheery staff, who assured me that they would take good care of me. They put some compression bands on my legs to encourage blood flow, put an oxygen mask on, and the last thing I heard was the anestesiologist say, "OK sweetheart, take some deep breaths. You're in good hands."

The whole procedure took about 20 minutes, and then I was wheeled into the recovery room. It took about 30 minutes or so for me to be able to open my eyes...and I think it was about 7:30 when I finally could focus on the clock. I was asked if I wanted to take a couple sips of water, which I did just the same as I always had. I guess I expected it to feel different...but it didn't.

A few minutes later, I got up to walk a bit and go to the bathroom. I was assisted in getting dressed, and asked (without pressure) if I felt like I was ready to go home. I asked for a little more time, as I was still pretty groggy. My husband came in and sat with me until I felt like I could go. I was wheeled to my car & drove home.

Once I was home, I took a nap in my recliner. I got up, had some pretty nasty gas cramps but my incisions didn't hurt at all. I sipped on some chicken broth and used the little breathing machine tool to force myself to take some deep breaths. They hurt and made me cough.

I did a lot of walking in circles around the house to try and relieve some of the gas, but it didn't seem to work. My kids came home from school and all wanted to see my owies. I have to say, I was very upset that I had 4 incisions, when I was expecting to have a single incision (plus a tiny one from the camera site). They seeped all day, so this morning I put bandaids over them to save my shirt. Last night I tried to sleep in the recliner, but it wasn't very comfortable. I ended up sleeping in bed, alternating from my sides to back throughout the night. I was a long and uncomfortable night, but I managed.

This morning I woke feeling pretty sore and very bloated. I tried to wear some jean shorts, however after going with my husband to drop off our toddler at preschool, I realized that just wasn't the best option. It's a little depressing seeing myself initially FATTER than I was before becasue of the bloating, but I have to remember that it's only temporary.

Edited April 2, 201016 yr by prdmommyof3

Hello Everybody...I have been home since 1:00 pm. OK here goes:

DH and I left home at 5:10am

6:15 am All of the staff was great from transporter to surgeon.

7:15 am- preop waiting area no probs. I think my nerves got to me so I had to go to the bathroom twice. :thumbup: Clear lip balm applied,

8:00 am- Dr, Anesthetist and few others came to talk for a minute

8:10- In surgery suite. Still not nervous..10, 9, maybe 8 off to sleep. Not sure what size band I have. I'll call the office later. Those drugs were quick. Surgeon repaired a Hernia..To me it was huge. I'll post the picture of it once I learn how to upload on here. 3 Small incisions on abdomen and 1 at upper left shoulder area where my port was placed.

9:45am- woke up. Not very much pain some discomfort. mouth dry. I kept asking to get up to walk. Nausea patch is on back of left ear area, relief band (accupressure for nausea) in place on right wrist.

10:45 am- Up and walking around. Walked to bathroom.

Ice chips, gatorade and Gas-x strips. Lip balm again mouth dry. No problems swallowing.

11:25 am- In my car husband driving. Lortab 1 dose.

1:10 pm- Walking around the house Promethazine.

2:14 pm- SF popsicle, nap..

3:30 pm up and walking.

Alright a little sleepy again.. Yay!!I am on the losing side. Good Luck to all having surg tomorrow.

Welcome to loserland for everyone banded today

I was banded this past Monday, March 29th. The surgery was not bad at all. My surgeon, Dr. Trahan was FANTASTIC. My surgery took 30 minutes!

I arrived at the hospital at 6:00 AM was prepped and rolled into the operating room at 7:30. That was a little un-nerving. I was cold and nervous. I've had surgeries before but have never been rolled into the room in a wheelchair! I've always been 'carried' in.

The anesthesia gave me a horrible headache but nothing medicines didn't cure. I was in my room and walking around by 9:00. Since my insurance paid for a night, my surgeon opted to keep me overnight. I got up most of the night walking and going to the bathroom! Too many fluids! By 7:00 the next day, I was up and walking down to radiology for my barium 'drink'. My surgeon was there waiting for me. I took my first sip and everyone laughed because it was literally a sip. Nothing showed up on the x-ray. After a second try, my surgeon finally told me, "Karen, you can swallow more than that!"

I was discharged by 8:00 and soon home. I was permitted to go back to work on Wednesday, 1/2 day only, since my job doesn't evolve any heavy lifting.

As I've read other's posts, my 'problems' are similar. I have discomfort and not pain at the port site. My bra was causing irritation to the top incision and I get gassy or experience heartburn (not sure...I've never had it before) when I lay down. I was off the pain meds by Thursday.

In all, the surgery experience was pretty good. I was treated like a queen by my surgeon, the nurses and the hospital.

I'm now fighting a mental game. I'm not hungry and have to force myself to 'eat' and drink. I'm on Level 2 liquids. Then I see something on TV (food) and I begin to crave that. I know it is mental since I'm NOT hungry.

Up and out of the house by 6:20am - got there at 7am but wasn't scheduled to be there until 7:30am.

8:00 - taken back at to OR

10:00 - waking up in recovery - not much pain

10:40 - on the way on home

11:30 - home

12:00 - pain medication and off to nap.

I haven't had much pain, just some pressure in the shoulder for gas. Feeling pretty good - I have just a little tired. Not hungry at all. Just extremely thirsty.

Take it easy! I'm one week post-op. I'm feeling great and want to do more but I am not invincible and need to stay low key. Remember that you are healing.

Surgery Day:

Went in at 8:30am. Filled out paperwork in a waiting room and then told to go through the doors. I thought that was it but it was just another consult room with no tv, no reading, no clock. Was told by the nurse that I could have people wait for me in second area but Mikey and Dad preferred to go get some breakfast and fill out my scrip for liquid lortab (vicodin, an old friend).

Around 11am they met me again to sit with me. By then, I had been vistited by a surgical resident asking me questions, a researcher to wonder if i would participate in a study about anti nausea meds (sure) and a nurse who brought a gossip magazine. Mikey and Dad came in with meds and well fed (I hated them for a minute, going to have bagels, hmph). then the nurse gave me the go ahead to change into scrubs.

then it was two visits wfrom the anesthesiologist and the surgeon and I was escorted to the OR a little after noon.

My first reaction was BRRRRRR!. It was freezing. Got in a room was put on a narrow table and there was a flurry of activity. Lidocaine on my left hand to numb me for an IV(that burned!), a review of my name, putting warm blankets on me grabbing my arms out to attch me to things. EKG leads everywhere. My legs being wrapped in compression sleeves. And then black...(not even a countdown)

I woke up to a nurse looking down on me and smiling. I was in another room and sooo thirsty!. I remember my family coming in and the nurse using a sponge tip to wet my mouth and lips. the pain kicked in and next thing i know i was out again.

Woke up again (I was given morphine apparently) being wheeled into a room. I was confused and asked for the time and my family and why am i in aroom for same day surgery. I was told the sent my dad and Mikey out for a couple of hours and they will be back. I was put in a room to be observed and given ice chips. The goal was to swallow ice chips then liquids and WALK until i urinated and then I could go home. And they had to measure my urine in a cup to make sure it was enough.

Do you know how much ice you have to consume to pee? A LOT. And I walked about 20 times around the floor. I was on a mission to get the hell out of there even if it was at 11pm at night. I wasnt that far off. We left at 10:30pm. Highlights: I was given full salt chicken broth! OMG SOOO GOOD! Iw as given a heparin shot and a shot of antinausea medication. before leaving.

Only did the lortab for two days and now just trying to keep myself hydrated and walking so off to walk around the apt again

I was banded yesterday April 14th. Here is my story. My preop diet was 4 Medifast meals and one 400 calorie lean meat and veggie meal for 2 weeks. The day before my surgery I was called at home and told to be at the hospital at 8am for 9:30 surgery. I arrived a little before 8 and they took me right in. They had my husband and mom wait in the family area until I was ready. When I went back they had me pee first to make sure i wasnt pregant. I changed into a robe and socks. Nurses immediatly started to come in. They asked me a series of questions, name, birthdate, why am I here, allergies, etc. The only thing I broght with me was my clothing and my glasses case. Inside my glasses case I put some lip gloss because from reading online, i knew my lips would be real dry after surgery. The first thing they did to me was take my blood pressure, temp and pulse. Then another nurse put the blood pressure things around my ankles. (i cant remmber what they are called) Those things were like getting a massage. I thought they were nice! THe next thing I got was a shot of Lovinox in my stomach to thin my blood. It burned a little bit but it wasnt that bad. A wonderful nurse gave me a small numbing needle in my hand and then put in my IV. He was great, I didnt feel it at all! I meet my aneshigiaologist and he asked to see the inside of my mouth and he listened to my heart. My family came in at this point. Within 20 minutes I had a whole bag of fluids in me from my IV. I had to pee. I asked the nurse to use the restoroom and she said she wasnt surprised. They wnated me hydrated before surgery. My doctor came in and asked me if i was ready and if i had any more questions. I asked her if it was a good time to use the restroom and she said yes because she was ready for me. THis was at 9 am. A half hour before my scheduled surgery. I went to the restroom and as soon as I got back there was 3 nurses waiting for me. One nurse was an advocate for communicating with my family. One nurse was transferring me to the surgery room, and another nurse was my surgery nurse. THey put a surgery cap on my head and I walked to surgery. As soon as I walked in the wing, I was freezing! It was so cold! They allowed me to wear my glasses until I got to the door of my surgery room. I told them I couldnt see a thing, so they needed to stay close. The room was very large. All i could see was bout 6 people walking around, large lights, and the surgery table. They had me step on a stool and lay on the table. I had to stretch out my arms. They immediatly put an oxygen mask on and after about 4 minutes they switched the oxygen to my wonderful sleepy gas! Next thing I knew I was in recovery. I woke up in pain. I was not comforatble at all. The nurse was right next to me and asked me my pain level. They ended up giving me 4 doses of pain killers. I needed to sit up so they lifted my bed. It made the pain less andit was easier to breath. They gave me my glasses and transferred me back to day surgery where my family was waiting. the nurse came in and saw that i was uncomfortable. THey had me get out of my bed and sit in a recliner. That was so much better than laying in bed! The nurse gave me some ice chips and monitored my pain. After a little bit, i got up and walked around the floor and they told me I should be ready to go home. My Doctor came in and went over my diet with me quickly. the Nurses went over my after care with my family because I was still pretty out of it. I went to the restroom after I put my clothes back on. My husband had to help me. I had the feeling I had to pee but i sat on the toilet for about 10 minutes and nothing. As soon as I came out of the restrooom the hospital volunteer was there with a wheelchair to take me out. All the nurses wished me luck.

My husband drove me home. I slept most of the way with a pillow across my lap. He helped me into the house after I walked aournd the yard once. I came inside and sat on the recliner. My husband was so great. He got my pillow to comfort my belly and a heating pad for my neck. He also put some ice water in a sippy cup for me. After about 5 minutes, i dozed off. He woke me up to take my Vicotin and walk. I went back to sleep in the recliner then he woke me up again for my medicin and to walk. I aslo ate a few bites of jello. I did throw up twice because of anethsia. It was mostly air and water I was heaving. I slept in my bed with 4 pillows under my back and head and a pillow on my belly. I was up every 4 hours for pain killers. I didnt even have to set my clock. I woke up this morning and threw up again. i took a few naps and walked around my yard. I also ate a sugar free popsicle and sipped on gatorade. luckly my good friend is a massage therapist. she is oging to come over later to help with my gas pains in my neck. so far...no regrets!

I had surgery yesterday, April 14th. I couldn't sleep the night before, so I did not fall asleep until 1am on the 14th. Then I woke up at 4:30am, a full hour before I was supposed to be. I got my shower and washed with Antibacterial soap. Then I put on a clean pair of Pajama bottoms and a shirt. They are very comfy and I knew they would not put pressure on my stomach. At 6am I kissed my kids and hubby goodbye and told them they would see me after school.

We arrived at the surgical center at 6:30 on the dot. I walked in, gave them my name, address and phone number. They put the bracelet on my arm and told me to have a seat, that someone would be out to get me soon. About two minutes later a nurse came out and took me back to the room. My mom stayed in the waiting room for this part. When they took me back, they asked me all sorts of questions. They asked about allergies, what meds I was taking, what I was having done that day, and if I had any concerns. I said I didn't. Then I changed out of my pajamas in to a stylish hospital gown, footies and hairnet. Then they started an IV with Fluid only. At this point they went out and brought my mom back. Then they gave me a heparin shot in my R thigh. Then the Anesthesiologist came into the room and asked me about allergies, prior reactions to anesthesia, asked if there was anything removable in my body and looked in my mouth. As soon as he was done questioning me, my surgeon walked right in. He asked how I was feeling and if I had anymore questions. I said no. Then he said, that is OK then, so we will start getting you ready. They put a scopolamine patch behind my right ear, and had me walk to the OR.

When I got in the OR the nurse undid the gown in the back and told me to sit on the bed, then lie down with my head on the round pillow thing. Then they put a couple of pillows under my feet. After they did that, they moved a board up to where it kept my feet flexed. Then they put the little massage booties on my. While they were doing that, the anesthesiologist was putting leads on my upper body. Right around this time, they put a mask over my face and told me to take deep breaths. I got a total of 4 breaths in before I became unconsious.

Then next thing I remember was being in a recliner in the post op room. The nurse asked if I was in pain and I said YES!!! Rated the pain as a 10/10. It was only the incision in my belly button that hurt, but oh man did it hurt!! They gave me some fentanyl and it took down some of the pain. Of course I went right back to sleep too!! I remember waking up again and complaining of a dry mouth and being in pain again. They gave me some ice chips and some more fentanyl. I managed to stay awake this time. Then very shortly after they had me scoot forward in the chair to make sure I wasn't going to be sick, and that I wasn't dizzy. I was still out of it, but I was able to do everything they asked. They then told me to get dressed, and that they would be right back in. I got my clothes on, and they brought me 2 prefilled doses of Roxicet and told me to take both of them. ICK!! But I have now come to love it!! I took a few sips of apple juice, and they put me in a wheel chair and wheeled me out of the hospital to my mom's car. I was home by 10:40 in the morning. I stayed on my meds every four hours, and I am continuing that now too. I found out that they also repaired a very large hernia while he was in there.

I have been walking the perimeter around my yard every hour and a half for four laps. It makes me feel better when I do this. I am doing Ok now, just REALLY sore!!

My surgery story went like this:

3 nights out I was having trouble sleeping - which is normal for me - so I took an ambien that my primary gave me (6.25mg) finally dozed off at 11:30 after taking it at 10:00, then woke up at 1:00am!! The next night decided to try upping the dose to 12.5mg - same thing happened, woke up at 1:30am. Which brings us to the night of surgery - still took the ambien and managed to sleep to 3:30am this time.

My husband and I were all ready to go a little early - surgery was scheduled for 11:00am and the doc had already told us it might be a little later cause the case before me was a complicated one. So we went to Ace Hardware to get a new umbrella for the patio. All all things to have to go get - who knows why. :wink:

At Ace my husband and I had a small fight, which has been happening a lot lately. It seems it's always a competition. I broke down at the checkstand crying and told him that this day had to be all about me - right or wrong to him - it just had to be. I was scared and anxious and he was not helping. He agreed and everything calmed down.

Got to the surgery center and when leaving the car I said to not forget to lock the car - he went into this rant about how he's not a 5 year old and not drooling on himself, why do I treat him like that. Well, that was the end of that - I tried to take my bag from him and he wouldn't let go, so I took off down the stairs and waited in the courtyard for him - he finally showed up and we had a yelling fight right in front of the surery center - how nice!:cool::eek:

I grabbed the bad from him and told him in no uncertain terms to F off - and he did. So I checked in by myself and then had to call my boss (who is a good friend) to see if she would come get me after surgery as they woudn't take me back with out a ride home. She agreed and everything proceeded.

THey showed me to the other waiting room and I just sat there crying - nice beginning to my new life, huh? The nurse came for me and we went to get changed and weighed etc as I was crying - she asked if I still wanted to do this and I said yes, so we proceeded.

THey let me keep my phone and I texted my husband saying that I was scared and I needed him. He had driven all the way home (about 20 minutes) and he was on his way back. Can't believe he would actually leave me - I know I said it, but really?

The nurse started my IV and the doc and PA came in and did the usual 20 questions to make sure everything was ok. At this point, everyone had heard that he wasn't there. The anasthesiologist came in and we were just waiting for them to clean the OR. My husband showed up with about 5 minutes to spare and I was grateful that he was there.

Got wheeled down the hall, asked to slide across to the little table and they started hooking up things and strapping me in. The anasthesiologist said he was putting in some medication that would make my vision blurry and then they put oxygen on me. I remember closing my eyes and that was it.

I woke up at 1:20pm in recovery not too groggy but it was very bright and I didn't want to open my eyes. I had ice chips immediately and then about 15 minutes later they transferred me to the recovery room with the recliner - ahhhh.:w00t:

My husband was there. He said that the doc never did talk to him afterward - I guess he didn't know that he came back.

I walked around as soon as I could and we were off home around 2:30pm. I called my patient advocate at the surgery group and left a message asking if the doc could call me or my husband back cause we didn't get the scoop from him after surgery. He called in less than 1/2 an hour and I was very impressed. He said everything went fine except that I had a "pretty good sized" hernia that he had to repair with a few stitches. I had no idea!:thumbup:

Now it's two days later and I'm still in pain - mostly my shoulder but that must be from hernia repair. I walked around the block yesterday and I'm just taking it easy. I haven't paid much attention to my fluid intake or anything the last few days, just trying to take what ever I could. Today I am paying more attention and going back to writing things down. I'm pleased to be a bandster now - I wish everyone else a safe journey to the other side.

My home scale is finally back to where it was when we left for surgery - yeah!

Toby:thumbup:

My surgery day story on Thursday 4/22/10............hard to believe that it finally happened with all of the delays I had in regards to getting this done.

Arrived at Hospital 5:15am for surgery at 7:30am. Not sure why they wanted me there so soon only to wait for almost two hours since they started surgery. Answered all the questions, all of the preop paperwork, my vitals and I was briefed on what to expect in the Operating room.

They gave me a relaxing drug before being wheeled into the OR. My husband said that really knocked me out, as when they were wheeling me away I was trying to say something but not making any sense.

THe only thing I remember after being wheeled into the OR was them asking my name & birthday (to confirm Identity) and then trying to scoot over to the OR cart. Nothing else after that.....

Next thing I know I was waking up in the recovery room. Throat was extremely sore along with the incisions. They gave me another short of pain medication and I was out for about another 39 minutes. They then took the xray to insure everything was in place. Once done I was wheeled into another area to recover and monito my progress so that I could go home.

My husband said the Surgeru didn't start until 7:50 and ended after 9:30. Surgeron came out to talk to my husband afterwards and informed him why the surgery took so much longer. My Hiatal Hernia was much worst then he expected and therefore took many stiches to repair.

I think that is contributing to some of the pain that I had and still have. So I left the hospital aunt 12:30pm almost wish they would of kept me overnight only due to the pain that I was experiencing. But taking the prescribed medication has helped considerably. I am not taking it every 4 hours as instructed only in the evening and just before I go to bed.

Very pleased with the overall results, just as the stage where I am starting to get hungry.

Looking forward to sharing this lap band journey together.

My surgery day was April 23, 2010

I arrived at the hospital @ 5am (way to early for me). I was first on my doctors schedule; scheduled for 7am.

After signing all the many consent forms, they started an IV to make sure that I was well hydrated. My surgeon (Dr. Speigel), the Nurse Anesthetist and Anesthesiologist came to talk to me and answer any of my questions and to explain to me what to expect.

At 6:50 I was being wheeled into the OR. All I can remember in the OR is sliding over from the hospital gurney to the operating table. The next thing i remember after that is waking up in recovery.

When I woke up I remember my mouth and throat being extremly dry and all i wanted was some water or ice chips, which they would not give me either until I had an uper GI to make sure everything was going down as it should.

There was only 2 thinks that agitated me the day of my surgery and that was them wanting me to wear the oxygen mask when in O2 sats was at 99 without the oxygen. The other thing is that it took them forever to read my upper GI results and all i wanted was some ice chips.

Over all my surgery day went very well. I went into surgery at 6:50am and was out of recovery and in my room by 9am. The pain was less than what i expected, right after surgery in the recovery room they gave me pain meds through my IV and I did not ask for anymore until 2am saturday. (Even then all I asked for was motrin) My nurse thought that because I had not had any pain meds in so long that I should take the Lortab. So I did take it. I was discharged from the hospital at 8am saturday and when I got home from the drive I took some childrens liquid motrin and was fine.

So far so good, not alot of pain from the incisions, aswell as not alot of gas pains. :eek:

My story isn't quite as rosy as everyone else's and I squarely blame the staff at the hospital I went to. My surgeon did his part of the procedure but the support staff, well, they stunk! I got to the hospital at 6:30 as instructed. My first instinct that things were not going to go well was I heard the front desk staff complaining about how overbooked they were and how they were going to be short on beds. BIG RED FLAG! The nurse who checked me in was cold as a fish and a complainer who constantly checked her cell phone for text messages. This same nurse clearly complained to nurse #2 right outside my curtain about being yelled at by a doctor earlier that morning. BIG RED FLAG 2! The CNA, Mindy, was FABULOUS! I wish she was my assigned RN. She was personable and made me feel at ease. Mean nurse #1 comes to stick me with an IV. I had a HUGE bruise that was tender from the IV the week before at my endoscopy procedure on my right arm and she refused to consider the left arm. She showed me a teeny bruise on her arm and said we all have bruises and deal with it. BIG RED FLAG #3. The anesthesiologist seemed nice enough and I explained my issue with slow waking up and nausea. I told him the patch had worked before. No, he knew best so I trusted him. His assistant came in to give me the "cocktail" before going to surgery. He starts bellyaching about the hack job the mean nurse did on my IV. He calls her in and they literally argued about it in front of me. My Mom was there to see it all and she was beside herself! The surgery went as planned BUT in recovery they tried to get me to drink a diet coke from a straw. In my delerium I had to argue that carbonation and straws were not permitted with the lapband. The best is when I woke up. They told me it was time to go home. My breathing wasn't deep and my cough was weak so they threw a plastic breather my way and said to practice at home. I was SOOO out of it and tired but they said time to leave! When I reported I was nauseated they gave me 2 puke bags to go. I did throw up on the way home, BTW!

Saturday I couldn't keep my eyes open for more than 2 hours at a time. I think they over did it with the anesthesia. By Sunday when it was out of my system I started feeling tons better and now I am almost back to normal.

If this happens to you, SPEAK UP! I just went along with it expecting it to get better and it didn't! Fortunately it was my care that was messed up and not my surgeon so I can still say it was successful. You can bet I'm not returning to this "crown jewel" of Presbyterian's Healthcare System. NEVER again!

what kind of liquid diet did you to follow after your surgery and for how many days..?? any suggestions of what i should get before my surgery, which is may 18, 2010...i go to my surgeon may 5 to sign papers, so i will be asking him questions also...heard you should have liquid protein drinks...?? thank you:cool2:

Re: Surgery Day Stories

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what kind of liquid diet did you to follow after your surgery and for how many days..?? any suggestions of what i should get before my surgery, which is may 18, 2010...i go to my surgeon may 5 to sign papers, so i will be asking him questions also...heard you should have liquid Protein drinks...?? thank you:cool2:

Probably not the best place to post this type of question. But here is my input to your request. I personally am on the unjury strawberry Sorbet mixed with SF Lemonade and their vanilla I mix with Orange juice. YUMMY!! I have to be on liquids for 14 days, but everyone's doctor requires different requirements. So it is best that you review all the requirements with your doctor.

Good Luck to you!

This is my first post ever in the 6 months I've been on lapband talk.

My banding was done on April 28, two days ago and I couldn't wait to get on here and tell ya'all about it! I still cannot believe it's actually done...that *I* actually did it.

First of all, I did it with much prayer. Nothing in my life this big will be done in haste and this is one of the biggest things in my lifetime. Second, I had the total support of my spouse or I wouldn't have been able to do it.

Wednesday morning, we were to arrive at 0530 at United Regional Hospital in WF, TX. Fortunately, we were staying in a hospitality house a few hundred feet away. Once I arrived, we waited for about 5 minutes for my name to be called. I had already started tearing up and didn't understand why. I am also a Same Day Surgery nurse and a Recovery room nurse. Once I was oriented to my room, I started bawling. I knew it was nerves and that if I let the tears out I would feel better so I did. My nurse who got me ready was amazing. Then anesthesia came in as well as the chaplain and another M.D. came in. I was used to all the activity due to my own job. Oh and my surgeon came in for a second. Due to a staff meeting, my surgery was delayed by an hour. I was finally wheeled back at around 0720. I had been given an Ativan around 0600 so much of the rest is a fog. LOL I think I was wheeled directly into the O.R. and I recall sliding onto the table. Once again, all of this was surreal because it's what I normally do, but not as a patient! :-) Next thing I know, I'm in recovery and I'm very very hazy and drowsy. But I remember a feeling of elation....of thinking of the band as mine. I also had a hiatal hernia repair I was told. I was wheeled to my own private room on the bariatric floor around 10am. I remember being TICKED because I realized I had a binder on and as a nurse, I think they are so cruel. The nurses loosened it but transferring to my new room/bed is all very foggy as well. By 2pm, I was texting and watching television. I wasn't allowed anything until 4pm and was dying for SOMETHING to wet my mouth. I had never known such thirst. My sweet nurse brought me spongy things to wet my mouth. At 0400, I had the BEST tasting ice Water in the world AND was also given a cup of apple juice halfed with water and lots of ice. I sipped it very slowly and got full very quickly. My greatest fear through all of this process is being dehydrated. I kept sipping and sipping and probably became obsessed about it until the next day when my urine was a sufficient color. LOL (ever the nurse) Around 12 I asked for a pain shot. Around 5, I asked if I could have p.o. meds and no more IV morphine. I was then given Lortab 7.5mg every 6 hours. I slept on and off through the night but I can tell you I kept thinking, "this is it? this is really it?".

I woke up at 3am and walked the halls some more. (oh, hubby had walked with me a few times that first evening) My best friend had stopped by and even said, "you don't even look like you had surgery". AWESOME! At 3am, after walking, I drank some more water and juice. The floor rules are to shower daily at 0530 with hibiclens. Since I was up, I didn't mind. I kept dozing until the doc came in around 0750. I was ordered to have some Lasix due to some swelling. I also managed to get down around four 12 oz cups of liquid. I was finally discharged to home, which is an hour and a half away around noon. They walked me to my car outside and I did fine until the ride home. That made me very sore and I was taking my pain meds early. By 9pm, though I was asleep in recliner after fighting tons of gas pain and soreness.

I woke up this a.m. around 0620 for good and feel tons better. I still have NO APPETITE and have to force anything down. That cracks me up. I am walking often and sipping tons of water. I took an hour to get a Protein Shake down but got it down!

I really hope this helps others because so many others on here have helped me!

Nurse Sophie

Highest wt 309

Wt at dr consult 288

Wt surgery date 272

Current Wt 271