I've read through lots of surgery day experiences elsewhere on LBT, but I've not seen any regarding Lap Band Solutions and the Surgery Center of Richardson.

I'd like to hear about your experience having surgery there....with Dr Benavides specifically.

I'm scheduled for September 11th and I'd like you know what to expect that day.

Thanks!!

Dr B did my surgery almost one year ago. I was the first patient of the day (due to latex allergy) so I didn't have to wait around and be nervous which was nice. They were very nice there (most of them). Hopefully you will have a girl named Mercy as your pre-op nurse. She was awesome and very comforting and sweet.

They had me come back and put on the gown and little slip proof socks and then I went and laid down and they put on the blood pressure cuff and started the iv line. My mom and DH were allowed to come back for a few minutes. Dr B popped in and said hi and then the anesthesiologist came in. He started the "amnesia drug" LOL....I can't remember the real name of it. I asked him how long till I felt it and he said about 60 seconds. They began to wheel me out of the pre-op room and I was out before we got to the door. I vaguely remember them telling me to move to the operating table and I asked them if I was going to fall...LOL...because I didn't trust myself to move over. They said I would not fall and somehow I got onto the table.

Next thing I remember is waking up in recovery with the little boots pumping my feet to prevent clots. I felt like I couldn't take a deep breath and kind of panicked but the nurse said I was breathing fine. My nurse was a male and he was hateful and not very compassionate at all. I heard the other nurses talking to their patients and they were all very sweet and kind and comforting. I would recommend asking for one of the female post-op nurses and if they ask why, tell them you heard the male was not very nice. I know he still works there cause I see him at the aftercare center sometimes. I laid there for awhile to get woke up and he gave me pain meds as needed. When I was ready, I got up and went into the xray room and drank the barium swallow and they checked the placement of my band. Then, I went and sat in a chair and my family was allowed to come back. I sat there and sipped Water and ice chips for about an hour or so (I was so thirsty, I was sipping but I was sipping fast). I drank about 2 full cups of water and was working on my third when I left.

That was about it. I didn't have tremendous pain but it did last about 4 days, mainly when getting up and down. I didn't sleep well because it did hurt to lay down. We stayed the first night in a hotel to be closer because we live about an hour from the surgery center but actually, if I had it to do over, I would have just come home and been much more comfortable. You may want to sleep in a recliner or on the sofa kind of at an angle for the first few days. Whatever is most comfy for you. Well, good luck and I hope my story has eased your mind. I was pretty scared going in just because I hadn't had surgery of any kind in over 20 years but they were great, Dr B was great and it was overall a good experience. Best wishes to you!

Mandi~ Thank you! I live about 45 minutes away and will be returning home after surgery, so I'm glad to hear that you recommend that. I have a super comfy lazy-boy for sleeping in, too!