Okay, I'm getting banded soon and have a few questions...

Did anyone drive the day of their surgery?

For those banded awhile, does anyone still consider diet pills to curb their appetite? (yes I know that's what the band is for, but I read a lot of comments about not feeling restricted, so I'm curious)

What is the earliest you went back to work?

I'll be honest first 'kay? :thumbup:

If I can, I'll probably drive the first day... I'm gong to be by myself, so if I need something, I'll go get it if I can, if not I can call some one, but I hate to bother people...

Diet pills have never really worked for me, or I wouldn't be getting banded... but can't say, if I'm not feeling restricted at some point down the line, I might try one... depending of course what I read from you guys.

I plan on playing this one by ear (so to speak).. I figure I'll try going back the 2nd day for a few hours at least. I have a desk job, but freedom to lie down or walk around if needed. My only concern is I have an office upstairs (no elevator). Hopefully that shouldn't be too bad, I'm sure some of you have a bedroom upstairs right?

I can answer that last question, Regardless of what you're going back to, I think you need a good few days, I was banded early on a Thursday morning, I felt good when I went home Friday morning, but as soon as the morphine wore off, I was miserable until around Monday, and went back to school on Tuesday, but it was still really uncomfortable to even just sit in a desk for a couple hours. I had a lof of problems with nausea and dizzyness, but everyone is different, its really up to you and how your body reacts to things. I would just recommend making sure you can get more than a day or two off from work, just to be safe.

I can answer that last question, Regardless of what you're going back to, I think you need a good few days, I was banded early on a Thursday morning, I felt good when I went home Friday morning, but as soon as the morphine wore off, I was miserable until around Monday, and went back to school on Tuesday, but it was still really uncomfortable to even just sit in a desk for a couple hours. I had a lof of problems with nausea and dizzyness, but everyone is different, its really up to you and how your body reacts to things. I would just recommend making sure you can get more than a day or two off from work, just to be safe.

I am sure, that physically, I could have driven the day of surgery, but I am so glad I didn't need to. It was hours before the effects of the anesthesia wore off, and even then, I was on morphine, so try to find someone else if you can.

Never have had any success with diet pills. But I did remind myself, every time I was feeling hungry, that it was just a signal that my body was being forced to burn fat for fuel. I still haven't had a fill, but I am monitoring every nutrient, and calorie, and losing steadily.

I agree with Allison. Take a couple days if you possibly can. The shoulder/chest pain was enough to make me glad I had scheduled myself a full 7 days off. That was more than necessary, but I took it, and I took full advantage of the lying around, letting recuperation take place. I had stocked my house with all the liquid diet things I would need, and the most strenuous thing I did during that week was take two ten minute walks each day.

I live alone, so it's not as if I had someone else to do things for me, but I babied those incisions, and my new power-tool for the first week in every way possible.

Congratulations on your upcoming life changing event! Good Luck with everything!!!

No driving day of surgery..regardless if u think your ok what about the other people on the road..all those meds take several days to wear off...take at least 3 days off from work you will be very sore and tiredd lack of food will do that to you...diet pills not til your healed 6 to 8 wks later.

Chances are you wouldn't be "bothering" your friends if you ask for help. Would it bother you if they asked for help? All of my friends have been so supportive and asked over and over again what they could do to help. I bet yours would be happy to support you during this time. You absolutely need to get a ride. Anesthesia + pain meds = possible danger to yourself and others on the road.

Take good care of yourself. You won't regret it.:thumbup:

My surgeon would not let me go until someone was there to pick me up. It is very dangerous to drive with all the meds. Plus, believe me, you will not feel like it. Have you ever had major surgery before? I usually have a hard time staying awake the first day after surgery. The anesthesia makes me tired and nauseus (sp ?).

You should not drive the day of surgery or any day that you are on pain killers. You are going to be groggy. Most likely the hospital won't release you unless someone is able to drive you. Don't put yourself or anyone else in jeapordy by driving.

I'm 7 days post op and there is no way that I could've gone back on the second day. I'm supposed to work full days next week and am questioning if I'll be able to do that. I did have a couple of other procedures done while I was under so that might be why I'm so sore and tire easily, still.

I wouldn't depend on diet pills as they can have some really bad side effects. Like you said, if they worked you wouldn't be getting banded. Because my stomach is still so swollen I'm still not hungry and have to force myself to drink.

I am sorry but you COULD not possibly drive after surgery! If you try your could do yourself and maybe others harm. Your going to be droggie afterwards I know I was I couldn't even remember going to my car but I knew when I was home.

I didn't go back to work for a week and it was a well spent vacation time you need rest and relaxation. But then that's a personal decision. GOOD LUCK!

Yoru not the only one the diet pills ran across my mind too.

I to don't think driving the day of surgery is a good idea. Have someone drive you home. If you need something later, make the phone call.

As for work, I missed the day of surgery and that was it. I had surgery on Friday, back to work on Monday. I was fine. I also am on the second floor of an old building, no elevator. I had no trouble going up and down the stairs. I do this all day long as I am the accounting/HR/ Personnel/Office Manager of a small manufacturing company. My many hats require me to get my buttocks all over the building. Not a problem. BUT, I did have my surgery on a Friday, I had Saturday and Sunday to add to my recovery before going in on Monday.

Diet pills? Nope, won't need them. You have no restiction at first but you are on liquids and healing. Don't worry about that stuff now. Once you begin to get your fills, the restriction will come. Just hang in there.

Good luck!

1.) I was required to stay overnight in the hospital (physician requires all his patients to stay). So, I didn't drive. I didn't drive for about a week.

2.) I have taken diet pills in the past. I don't like how they make me feel, so I will never take them again for that reason. I don't know how they would do with the band.

3.) I took 2 weeks off work. My work is about 1/2 and 1/2 on my feet and sitting. I was really tired the first week I was back. This is the 2nd week back and I'm feeling much better.

You will absolutely not be able to drive. The hospital will not release you without an appropriate escort, otherwise they would be setting themselves up to possible litigation for any accidents you may cause on your way home. Furthermore, you would be breaking a the law by driving as you would be under the influence of narcotics and sedatives.

Thanks for all of your responses. I wasn't planning on driving myself home from the surgery. I was just thinking if I need something from the store that I didn't have at home, I'd just drive to the pharmacy which is 2 blocks down the street and no major roads...

I'm sure my friends, especially my bf will get whatever I need... I just figured if I'm supposed to be walking on the day of my surgery, I should be able to drive! I guess not.. Believe me I'm all for resting while I can get away with it! LOL! My surgeon only keeps you there for 3-6 hours after the surgery. I get Tylenol for my pain meds.

Jack thanks for your clarity. You're correct. I based my question on things I have read here. But your assessment is a much better and realistic one. Thanks for the redirection!

Post operation I returned to my position as a poker player. I would have returned sooner, but breakfast was late. Jello & broth start of my liquid diet. Liquids was the hardest part. I've played poker almost everyday since my arrival, here in Nevada, 3 1/2 years ago. This is my way to buy those little extras in life. Like electricity, gas & water. After a Morning swim I enroll in the Monte Carlo 9am tournament. My only accepted excuse for missing a day is surgery.The people at the Monte Carlo are one of my best support groups. There is no smoking in poker room. No eating or cheating at the tables. I was banded on 1/15/08. The roof of the MC caught fire on 1/25/08. Reopened2/15/08. Back to the grind,I love it ! It's best to stay away from speed, meth, crack & diet pills, unless you want weight loss of the brain.Before the fire I was the biggest player in the room, after,I just blend in. My life is now about a decade of re-hab & poker after surgerys. I do learn a lot about weight loss & life from friends that have strokes, cancer & in wheel chairs. No fills yet down 119 pounds. Losing LARGE in Vegas. Hasta Pronto, George :biggrin: Thanks Dr. Soong + Dr. Atkinson & Realize Band

Did anyone drive the day of their surgery?

You are not allowed to leave the hospital/surgery center, etc. without someone else to drive. You should get whoever is driving you to get whatever you need at the pharmacy on the way home as this will probably be the time you'll be the most comfortable for the next several days (due to anesthesia). Stock up on what you need food/liquid wise before surgery.

For those banded awhile, does anyone still consider diet pills to curb their appetite? (yes I know that's what the band is for, but I read a lot of comments about not feeling restricted, so I'm curious)

Restriction/satiety takes a few months to master...and you must follow your new eating "rules" and doctor's recommendations. I would not use diet pills they are NOT safe and definitely not if they are not prescribed by your PCP. Weight will not drop off quickly...it is a gradual loss. So yes "that is what the band is for" but you ultimately control what goes into your body and how much exercise you do which dictates weight loss.

What is the earliest you went back to work?

I had surgery on a Friday morning and went back to work (mostly desk job) on Tuesday (Mon was a holiday). I was extremely tired, stomach was sore, and if I had days to stay home I definitely would have. You will survive, but you would rather be laying down. The stairs might not be a good idea so you may need to take a few extra days for those.

I figure I'll try going back the 2nd day for a few hours at least.

The second and third days were absolute HELL pain wise for me and my worst. Especially since sleep was almost non-existent, I had no desire to drink anything even Water, you need to heal/get on a good med schedule for at least 3 or 4 days.

On the question of driving on the day of surgery, I hope you don't live in my town if you're going to drive on the day you were rendered unconscious via anesthesia. And I urge you to consider the other innocent people on the road who could be victims of your decision to drive on a day you've had anesthesia. Also, if you should get in an accident or cause any harm and your insurance company finds out you had general anesthesia that day, they will not cover any losses. It really is a very very bad decision.

I gave up on diet pills many years ago and so I would not consider them now. If my band isn't doing the job, I'll talk to my doctor and we'll figure out how to get it to work with me or vice versa.

I had surgery on Thursday and could have gone back to work on Sunday (assuming that was a work day). I took that whole week off though and I'm glad I did. I felt fine but I got very tired, very easily.

Okay, I'm getting banded soon and have a few questions...

Did anyone drive the day of their surgery?

For those banded awhile, does anyone still consider diet pills to curb their appetite? (yes I know that's what the band is for, but I read a lot of comments about not feeling restricted, so I'm curious)

What is the earliest you went back to work?

I'll be honest first 'kay? :smile2:

If I can, I'll probably drive the first day... I'm gong to be by myself, so if I need something, I'll go get it if I can, if not I can call some one, but I hate to bother people...

Diet pills have never really worked for me, or I wouldn't be getting banded... but can't say, if I'm not feeling restricted at some point down the line, I might try one... depending of course what I read from you guys.

I plan on playing this one by ear (so to speak).. I figure I'll try going back the 2nd day for a few hours at least. I have a desk job, but freedom to lie down or walk around if needed. My only concern is I have an office upstairs (no elevator). Hopefully that shouldn't be too bad, I'm sure some of you have a bedroom upstairs right?

Sounds like you are going to do what you want anyway so good luck. I've been a rebel, too, BUT I didn't lose any weight and have been miserable.

Recently I decided to follow all the rules and weight is falling off.

If you can't play by the rules, don't get the band. It's to frustrating and then you'll be back here telling us all how much pain you are in and how little results you are seeing.