Hi,

We are through the 1st week of June already, can you believe it??

Any how, I've been enjoying reading about everyone's surgery experience, but it's hard to find them, some start a new thread, some post in the June Line Up etc. I thought it would help to have a centralized place to post our stories.

My sugery was Thurs. June 5th, scheduled at 1pm. They wanted me there by 10 to get ready and sometimes the surgeon is ahead of schedule. I did get in early but only 30 min. early. I was not nervous at all the morning of surgery, the day before I was scared to death and wondered if I was doing the right thing. I arrived at the hospital at 10, and had to sit in the waiting room til about 1030, at which time they came and got me. I had to weigh on this huge scale in the hall, I was down 3 from the surgeons office the day before, not sure if that was a real loss or just different scales. My vitals were taken, and then I was to change into my lovely hospital gown. Mine had a big rip across the boobs, good thing it was so big I sortta wrapped it around. Then they came and got my IV going. My surgeon came in to see if I had any last minute questions and to sign off on my chart, he was on his way into the surgery before me and said he'd be sending for me shortly. Then the anestesiologist came and checked somethings over and signed off on something. Next thing you know the OR nurse is there to get me. At that point I sortta got emotional and started crying saying good bye to my husband and daughter. To calm me the nurse had me describe my most favorite place on earth, I picked Hawaii. I had to say what I was wearing, what the weather was like etc. As I entered the OR I said I was drinking a Lava Flow, Dr. S said it better be a low carb one. Then they scooted me onto the OR table, all sorts of folks were surrounding me. Dr. S asked how I was doing and I said okay but more importantly how are you doing? Always the jokester, he said fine but I'm a little shakey and hung over. That was the last thing I remembered until waking in recovery. My first thoughts upon awakening were: 1) should I be waking up or am I still in surgery and 2) it's done! They sure don't let you come out of the anestesia slowly, the nurse had me sitting up right away and walk with assistance to the bathroom. She then put me in a wheelchair to await transport to radiology for the swallow test. Well there was miscommunication there and Isat there for about 30 min. I got really whoozy and nauseaus. I called for a nurse and they promptly put me in a recliner where the rest of my recovery was going to be and rehooked up my IVs. She said it was from sitting there too long and with no IV. Finally they came from radiologoy, that wasn't real pleasant but not painful. I was still too much in zombie land. After that I go back to my recliner and my husband and daughter meet me there. I got the shivers/shakes real bad and they kept piling warm blankets on me and then put some demerol in my IV. She told me to remember that for next time I ever have surgery that I react that way. She said it was fairly common to get the shakes. Then my 1 oz every 15 min of liquids started and had to do that for 2 hours before being considered to go home. 1 oz every hour was Protein. After a short nap (probably from the Demerol) I felt much better and was heading for home about 630pm. Today is day 3 and I've not taken any pain pills and am feeling pretty good. Have a weird pressure type feeling by my port and a really growly tummy and a little bit of diarrhea. I am nervous for when I start having mushies. So far I can pretty much drink anything. I carry a Water bottle with me and try to get in 70 to 80oz water a day. I never needed the gas-x strips nor the toilet tongs! Never got the shoulder pain either, he said he tries to suck most of it out before closing up after surgery.

That's my experience, next???

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks for me. I can't believe what a difference 2 weeks makes, though I still have the huge bruise on my arm from my pre op blood work 2 weeks ago. LOL I feel back to normal now, not quite so tired. Yesterday was my first day experiencing hunger and wanting foods I couldn't. I really wanted a french fry! But weird today, I am so not hungry and am having to remember to eat a little something every 3 hours. I'm finding everyone's preop diets interesting. There's so much different info out there from all the different docs. For example I'm reading alot about oatmeal, mashed potatoes, etc. on mushies, and all my mushies have to be protein.

I'm still weighing myself every day and should stop, it was so fun seeing the scale go down every day but it's been 3 days and no movement now. I'm off my b/p meds and b/p is still good and that's been a week already. My tongue is no longer white (had oral yeast infection) so I'm on the road to a new healthier me. Oh my tummy itches like crazy around the incisions and the glue is looking real greyish and hopefully is getting ready to come off.

I think I have thrush like you did, Long2BThin. I'll have to call my pcp and ask for a prescription (had it back in Jan. so I'm at least aware of what I need to do). I def. have not been getting on a scale since I just don't want to know. My next follow up (and first fill I think) in July 10 so I'll wait until then. I am allowed to start food tomorrow. I went grocery shopping today and just bought a lot of high Protein foods - crab, smoked salmon, bacon bits to add to eggs, chicken, and then some more textured soups - lentil, manhattan clam chowder (I'll take the potato out). I was able to take my kids to McDonald's yesterday and not feel hungry or deprived. I just ordered a Water and was fine. I was surprised. I'm really shocked that I am not more mentally in withdrawal. I was able to walk past all the foods I shouldn't have today and feel ok about it. I did find that although I like Protein shakes (I feel rare), my favorite are the Atkins ones since the carb count is so low and they are thicker. Too bad they are so dang expensive. Oh well. I've also started walking everyday with my husband and kids after dinner which makes my stomach/gas feel a lot better. I walk pretty slowly (and I was a more "active" overweight person to begin with) but it's def. a good start.

Congrats all you newly banded folks!!! For those of you with surgeries soon, it really isn't bad once you get a week out.

Maria,

Do you have a white tongue? That thrush was the weirdest stuff, my mouth felt so funny. The nurse told me it was quite common but it something I rarely read about here on the boards. I'm glad they told me about it at my pre op or I'd never have guessed I had it. Good luck to you!

Got home from Tijuana today. Dr. Ortiz gets two thumbs up in my book!

I have a 4 ml band. Not hungry yet, not over the gas pains yet, either. It's hard to burp, but it's better today than yesterday.

I can start "not clear" liquids tomorrow.

Good luck with the rest of you!

Gratz on all the JJ's so far! Your all doing awsome it looks like.

Long2BThin-

Yep - that's exactly what I have. They probably gave you Nystatin? It's an oral that you can use to get rid of it. Thrush is REALLY hard to get rid of. I am only surprised I have it because I'm not really consuming anything with sugar. Did they say why you probably got it?

Long2BThin-

Yep - that's exactly what I have. They probably gave you Nystatin? It's an oral that you can use to get rid of it. Thrush is REALLY hard to get rid of. I am only surprised I have it because I'm not really consuming anything with sugar. Did they say why you probably got it?

No they just said it was common after major surgery and antibiotics. Nystatin is what I got, I had to swish and spit a tsp 4 times a day for 7 days until gone. However, 7 days have come and gone and I still have some medicine left so am still swishing to be sure it's gone. Since then my teeth feel like they need a good cleaning! I brush and floss and it's still there.

Well what a difference a week and 2 days is!! Today is the first day that I actually feel really good! For a few days there I was really not sure I would ever feel normal again, but I do!! I am now on "full luiquids", the week of clears just about killed me. Today I half a little cup of applesauce, went out to lunch and had half a bowl of brocolli cheese soup and had the other half for dinner. Is anyone else getting full on just a little bit? I'm not sure if that's the band or just still all swollen inside, but I like it! :biggrin2:

My surgery was yesterday. I got the the surgery center around 8:30, and was called back to the pre-op area shortly after 9 am. I went into surgery at 11:00.

Apparently I was very hard to wake up once in recovery, though. My mom had to wait about an hour before she could come see me. My blood pressure was too low (mid-to-high 80s for the top number), and my heart rate kept dropping into the 40s. So I had to stay longer than expected. The finally gave me some IV fluids and atropine. About 1/2 - 1 hr later, my blood pressure reached the high 90s and even just a little over 100. My heart rate also increased to high 50s/low 60s.

We were finally allowed to go home at 4 pm. I crashed on the couch for a a few hours.

So far, I've only taken one dose of the Lortab. They were supposed to give me some in recovery, but they didn't want to risk my stats dropping. I haven't been in much pain though. I took a dose before bed, mainly as a preventative. It's almost 10 am now, and it's still not too bad. It's getting to be a little more than a twinge, so I may take another dose in about an hour.

Yesterday, I had Water, 2 oz of grape Isopure, and a few bites of lime Jello. Right now I'm sipping on some chicken stock. My post-op diet consists of 2 wks full liquids and then 4 weeks soft solids. But I've decided to do clears at least through the end of today. I think I feel a little hungry, but it could maybe I'm just a lttle gassy there.

Once thing that I didn't expect - the doctor has me wearing a compression binder for a week. Does anyone else have one?

-Marianne

BANDED AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am finally back at the house. I left here at 1.15pm arrived at the hospital at 1.45.. My oh so considerate friend said "do you mind if we go and get coffee first.. I didn't get mine this morning?".. WHAT!??. anyway. I let her get her coffee while checked in.. they came for me at 2..and took me to a beautiful room overlooking Marbella harbour.. gorgeous sheer curtains (blue, cream and brown) with beautiful wallpaper on one wall to match.. so they told me I would be seeing the surgeon 'soon'.. The nurses came in and did my IV port and my ECG.. then they changed me and got me into bed..they also gave me some diazepam.. NICE.. so I lay there quite happily until 3.30. The surgeon came up went through everything with me again.. and I followed him down about 20 mins later.

I was taken to a pre-op room where I switched beds.. put under green etc.. and put on a net hat.. then they wheeled me to the theatre. The anesthetist was lovely..and there were lots of people getting busy around the room. My surgeon and his assistant put the surgical stockings on me.. which was amusing in itself.. and while I was having heart monitors attached. I heard the anesthetist say to a gorgeous guy at my iv port to 'put it all in'... well the next thing I know I was waking up.. so I guess 'put it all in was the anasthetic"..

I did wake up with an oxygen mask on and the heart monitor still attached. I felt pain immediately and they straight away gave me morphine... the surgeon told me the surgery went brilliantly..no problems, that my insides were 'perfect'.. and he was very happy with the surgery. He said it took about an hour and a half... They filmed the surgery and will give me a copy later.. so will be happy with that!!..

I stayed in recovery for 4 hours.. then they took me back to my room at 10pm.. I had a terrible night.. just dozing really.. I was told to stay on my back and not to have anything to drink before the next day... my lip did get stuck to my braces though. and I have a big cut there..

The next day the surgeon (whom I am in love with now! ha).. Dr Orellana checked me over and told me everything is fine..and to start moving and sipping Water.. I was then allowed herbal tea and water..

My pain is like chronic indigestion. With stabbing pains in my port area. Sitting and standing is very difficult actually. I feel that pulling on my port side (under my left boob).. and the strain in all of my cuts. The cuts are beautiful though.. very small and very clean.

They told me to stay an extra night as I was still suffering pain and they know who I work for. (all the people in the house and the kids)... I was relieved. I asked for a sleeping pill.. so after a bed bath I took that and slept for a good 5 hours or so.. I did wake up a few times in pain .. but they kept pumping me with paracetamol (IV).. and tremadol..so I was good!..

OH! had some Soup last night.. just very thin chicken.. WAS HEAVEN ON A SPOON!!!!!!!!.. four spoonfuls and I felt the restrictions.. but I took my time and it was great!.

I got back to the house at 4pm..they were great!.. am in my room now.. just had a strawberry jelly.. quite hungry as I have eaten only that and soup since TUESDAY!.. will weigh myself later!.

so here it goes!!!!.. not sure what to do with myself.. hard to lie on the bed. not sure how I will sleep.. the hospital bed was wonderful!..

BANDED!!! HURRAH!..

the cut next to my port is really sore too!..breathing deeply really hurts..maybe I ate too much Jello at once..

mm gonna take some getting used to!..

well.. pain killer is taking effect so willtry to sleep for a bit. .then go for a walk!.. stitches due out on Wednesday.. first fill in 4 weeks.

On Clear liquids for TWO WEEKS.. then simple PUREE for two weeks after that.. I have ready brek! .. forgot I like that!..

so for now am on.. Soups, fresh juice (no pulp), jello, ice pops, water, tea, milk (fat free or soya) and I can even have some coffee with my warm milk and sweetner .. so not too bad at all!..

Gratz Kizzie! Hope you recover soon!

Thank you!!!..

Feeling sore.. but you know what!!.. it is great!! as I know that pain is the beginning of new and wonderful opportunities to gain back control!!..

hurrah!!..

good luck to you .. it will come and go SOOO quickly!!!.. !! a wonderful experience!

OH by the way. I have to give myself 'heparin' shots everyday for 15 days.. I remember reading someone else having to do this too..

Congrats to all of you recently banded!

Today is my 2 week anniversary! :thumbup:I am amazed at my progress.:biggrin: I am now eating a few solid foods, :lol:I am adding them very slowly. I was about to starve :thumbup: on the liquids and wanting more and more to eat.:couch2: I have found that if I eat a little fish or meat of some kind (protein) :smile: I can feel the restrition.

I read on a post somewhere that the band works best on solid food.:couch2: That the liquids slide right past it.:party: I don't have any fill in my band and the doctor said my band was not tight at all,:tt2: but I can definately feel the difference in before and after being banded, so I know this is going to work for me!:biggrin2:

When you first have surgery you are swollen and sore and that keeps you from eating. :couch2:

That is why you MUST follow the doctor's orders and stay on the diet he gives you. :tongue2:

If your band is tight to begin with you will be allowed less food at first, :angry:and longer periods on the liquids and soft foods before you move to solids. :smile: Then as you heal you will add the solid foods . They say to avoid the Liquid syndrome.:thumbup: My mentor, IndioGirl,(aka Janet) suggested this article. It does have good information. check it out!:smile:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f197/lap-...33/#post879194

I was beginning to stop loosing weight on the liquids and found that the solid food really is helping me! Of course be sure your Doctor is in agreement!:party:

Anyway! I hope everyone has a good weekend! :thumbup: I am off work for the next two weeks and return to classes on July 7! I hope to return a little smaller and a little tanner! :smile:

Gratz on 2week anniversry Cathy. Glad your on solids now. Just FYI that restriction might go away in the next week or so. Your stomach is still mildly swollen for a few more weeks. So you will get looser. However, at least you know what some restriction is like and know that it will help you.:smile: