Hi everyone! I just got home a short while ago and wanted to say hello. I had my surgery yesterday around noon time and am home already. Surgery went well, though I was terrified. I was at the hospital alone and even until the point I was laying on the table and they were setting up I was thinking about running. Next thing I knew I was in recovery.

Here's how the day went.

I arrived at 9:15 for my 11AM surgery, filled out paperwork and read my book until they called me back around 11:10AM. The nurse took my blood pressure (about 10 times because the machine couldn't get a reading), temperature and verified I hadn't eaten since the night prior and that I was doing the liquid diet prior to surgery. Next the anastesiologist (I will never be able to spell that) came in. He was SOOOO nice to me. I was obviously nervous but he told me everything was going to be ok, his calm and caring personality really helped. I started crying (I was really nervous!!!) and told him I didn't want to die - he told me I wouldn't and that he would take good care of me.

Another nurse came in and confirmed again my diet and no eating since day before, she took my belongings as well. The anastesiologist assistant came in next and just chatted with me and gave me a step by step of what was going to happen - this was very helpful for me. Essentially once you hit the room people start buzzing all around and if I didn't know that was going to happen it would have really scared me. My surgeon came in next and we chatted a bit, apparently she had heard how nervous was. She was great- I really think she is the best.

After she left I changed in to the really cute gowns and made the long walk to the OR. The OR was really frightening - with all the stuff and lights and people in there. But they were talking to me the entire time which took my mind off of it. I laid down on the table and someone attached the leg massager things (to prevent clots in your legs), while I got a shot of relax drugs and they started my iv. They continued to talking to me - where are you from etc. My surgeon came over and held my hand as I tried not to cry and then TADA I was going to recovery. I felt like a few people were yelling different commands at me - Open your eyes, take deep breaths etc but that's about it.

It took me a good 2 hours at least in recovery to be fully aware and able to focus. A nurse stayed with me the entire time which was great because let me just say that pain from the gas they filled me with made my chest so tight feeling I really did think there was something wrong with my heart. Some morphine in my iv helped with the pain and then they gave me some percacet. While I was uncomfortable I wasn't in pain after that.

Around 5ish I went up to my room. I got some broth and water around 6 and around 8 my belongings finally came back to me (yay!!! my underwear!!!!). After I put those on I went pee for the first time and then made circles around the floor for a little bit - really takes away the gas pain. Went back to my room to rest and have more broth and then more walking back to my room to read for a bit before bedtime.

They kept following up during the night on how my pain level was and I was doing fine, again more uncomfortable than anything. I got some motrin through my IV instead of the heavy stuff. This morning more motrin more walking more broth. Nurses checked on my pain and the someone from the surgical team came by and checked out my incisions followed about an hour later by my surgeon who cleared me to go home. So here I am. I got to take a shower and I am sore but not in pain. They did give me a perscription for pain meds which I filled just in case but so far I'm ok. Its time for a nap and some gas x I think. I hope this information is helpful. :cursing:

Tomorrow the great mushie diet begins!! Although I will confess I tried some tuna salad today and it went just fine - never has bland tuna tasted so good.

I have a concern as I take this next step.... it seems I am getting my pre-op hunger back. I've lost 10lbs since being banded and I am terrified I'm going to gain it back. :rolleyes2: I hear that once you start eating normal foods again that's when you gain back but I don't wanna!!! (do I sound like a two year old yet? ) This has been at the forefront of my brain the past few days and has me very concerned.

I've also discovered that I'm allergic to something. I'm not sure if it was the adhesive glue (instead of stiches) the steri strips or what but I have red welts that ITCH like crazy around my incisions. I went to the nurse today and she told me to put hydrocordizone cream on it and just try to let it be. Anyone have any other ideas - this cream only does so much.

Thanks!