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???

Thanks, I might have to do that.

Greetings from Sizzling Texas!!

I joined the "band" wagon this morning. Went in at 6:00am, surgery at 7:00am and was home by noon.. I am enjoying my nectar Protein Whey drinks, the one I have tastes like a Pina Colada!!! YUMMY!!! I got mine at the Vitamin Shoppe, they have tons of flavors..

I didn't know it but I also had a Hernia!!! They repaired that while in there..

The only pain I have is where my rib cage and my muscle wall have come apart. It happened in March when I had my gall bladder taken out.. Other than that doing great!! :thumbup::tt2::thumbup:

Congratulations Waikiki! I'm glad to hear you are doing great! Where did you get the Nectar protein drinks? That's sound good!

My surgery was yesterday (Wednesday). I was last (sixth) and went in around 12:30. I was the only one without a hernia. Maybe that has helped me to not be in too much pain. So far this is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I have a sore abdomen and the left shoulder discomfort but none of it is very bad. :blushing:

Today I am really sore! The thing that bothers me the most is my throat. I woke up every few hours last night because of my throat. I am also having problems getting all of my fluids in. I am suppossed to have 1 to 2 ounces of fruit juice or broth every hour that I am awake, and of course water constantly in between. Whenever I drink something though I can an extremely full feeling that is very uncomfortable and lasts quite a while. I am taking tiny sips, so I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I know that this sounds like a broken record, but those glycerin suppositories were a God send to me. I was just like you, couldn't drink very much. I literally started getting malnourished. I was just constipated, with a little of nothing, but a little of nothing that was blocking me up to my eyeballs. Instant relief with the supp. I had to use them a couple of times a day for a few days, now I have only used them once or twice since. Just so nice to know they are there. I will never be without them. I hope you all have great success and less and less gas pain.

addy

I know that this sounds like a broken record, but those glycerin suppositories were a God send to me. I was just like you, couldn't drink very much. I literally started getting malnourished. I was just constipated, with a little of nothing, but a little of nothing that was blocking me up to my eyeballs. Instant relief with the supp. I had to use them a couple of times a day for a few days, now I have only used them once or twice since. Just so nice to know they are there. I will never be without them. I hope you all have great success and less and less gas pain.

addy

Well after, Colace, Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, not doing the trick, I just tried the glycerin suppositories. And well I'll just say.....AHHHHHHH :couch2::hurray::party::couch2::couch2::couch2::blushing:

Today I am really sore! The thing that bothers me the most is my throat. I woke up every few hours last night because of my throat. I am also having problems getting all of my fluids in. I am suppossed to have 1 to 2 ounces of fruit juice or broth every hour that I am awake, and of course Water constantly in between. Whenever I drink something though I can an extremely full feeling that is very uncomfortable and lasts quite a while. I am taking tiny sips, so I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

It's totally normal to feel full after a sip of water. Just keep sipping. Tiny sips are just fine. Every time you think of it, just take a small sip. I dehydrated the 2nd day and threw up (nothing, of course was in me) and it was because I felt sick and didn't want to drink anything incase which just made it totally worse. Once I started drinking again, I felt so much better. You're going to feel like you have a lot of pressure on your chest for a few days (at least I did) so that's why you probably feel so full. It will go away and you'll be able to drink a lot more. If you can get someone to go to GNC and buy the New Whey Protein Bullets (as mentioned up above) they are 42 grams of protein and I just pour them over crushed ice, add some water to dilute them a bit and sip on those. Grape was really good once it wasn't so strong tasting.

Good luck! You will feel better in a few days!!!:blushing:

I joined the band on Tuesday, 6/24 and came home yesterday late afternoon. Things went well - pain in my chest and shoulder from gas - but nothing I can't tolerate. I actually feel alot better than I thought I would! I am enjoying my broth and crystal light and who could believe that jello could taste so good!

Hi Everyone. I had my surgery on Thursday and got home late Friday night. I had quite a bit of vomiting while in the hospital, but it finally let up, and the doctor let me go home. I've been doing fairly well, but having lots of gas pains. I'm walking and taking Gas-X.. I guess it will just be a matter of time. I'm also really struggling to get my protein in. The last thing I want to do is "eat." I'm really trying though.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Hi, had my surgery on Tuesday the 24th. Feeling 100% today after several days of "belching" and discomfort. Anyone else feeling hungry? Today is the first day I'm wanting to eat something and it's driving me nuts. I had Farina today for the first time (1/2 cup) and thought I would feel full but no luck. I guess self control is already at hand!!!!!

Hello Everyone.

I was banded on June 27th in Olympia, WA. Everything went very smoothly. Checked into the hospital at 5:30 AM-Surgery around 8 AM and in the car and on the way home by 12:30 PM.

Still very sore, especially in the port area, but trying to get up and walk around as much as possible. Have been sleeping in my recliner chair as I am afraid if I lay down I won't be able to get up by myself.

The journey has begun!:thumbs_up:

I can't thank the support groups enough as I have had no unexpected surprises.

Kalaipahoa

Hi, I had my surgery on 6/23. I was surprisingly in more pain that I thought I would be. Yesterday was the first day I felt comfortable without pain medication. I went through 2 bottles of liquid lortab in one week. I couldn't drink my protein shake or even much water. I drank 4oz. of my protein shake and felt a knot in my stomach. I am much better now and drinking lots of water. I go to my doctor today for a one week post-op exam. Then I go to the nutritionist on July 10th for my first post-op nutrition class. Everyone seems to have done better than me early on. Maybe I have a low pain tolerance.

Hi Greatlyblessed.

I hurt a lot too after the surgery. It also surprised me. I was on morphine when I woke up and 1000mg of paracetamol after that regularly. I woke up every hour during my first night in hospital in quite a bit of pain. Mainly when I moved.

Almost two weeks later I still have quite considerable pain in my port area (but that is because it is located so high up next to my bra)... but other than that the other sites are almost pain free..

Everyone reacts differently to this surgery. That much I have found from reading all the different messages. If you are in pain, take a painkiller.. that is what they are there for.. you will be ok!.. just make sure you don't have a fever, redness or swelling at your incision sites, or heat.

Take care and rest up..

Kizzie

Just Jan!

I was a week post op and felt my first hunger pangs too.. I try to keep busy but meal times are awful. I am sick of soup and can't wait to get onto the mushie stage!.. .I keep thinking of the reasons why I did this and my goals... that keeps me going..

I have this mantra too!.. ha. maybe it will help

I AM STRONGER THAN FOOD.. IT CAN'T MAKE ME EAT IT! (or when I am looking at it... YOU CANT MAKE ME EAT YOU!)...

sounds silly.. but it works for me!..

take care

Kizzie