Surgery today! It's 7:40 now and I have to be at the hospital by 9. Surgery at 11. Scared but excited! I'm ready.

Will report back in a few days. Everyone send me good vibes around 11ish Pacific time!!!

Thurdsay June 23 heralds a brand new life!!!

I loved your post, I am scheduled for late July and am a little scared about the pain, your post made it real, not scary. I am interested in the prilosec, is acid reflux a usual reaction or did you have it before?

In another few days you'll probably feel much better. I think most of us feel pretty wretched for the first two days, then improve. Some lucky souls feel great from the moment they wake up from the anesthesia! Hang in there -- by the end of the weekend, the pain will probably be much reduced and you'll have a burst of energy.

I loved your post, I am scheduled for late July and am a little scared about the pain, your post made it real, not scary. I am interested in the prilosec, is acid reflux a usual reaction or did you have it before?

No, I wasn't using the Prilosec before. My doc wants me to take it to keep acids down to help healing. He gave me a script for capsule form Prilosec so it's easier to tolerate. I don't think I'm especially acidy, I think it's just a form of prevention.

Pain is MUCH better today. I think I'm doing a better job managing it which means staying ahead of it by taking pain meds with regularity. There is still pain and I think if I didn't have meds it would be horrible. My sister who is here taking care of me (and has had laprosopic work done tho not a band) talked to me a lot about taking pain meds BEFORE you need them. Even the paperwork with the meds say it works better if taken before pain is severe and doesn't work as well once the pain has gotten really bad.

So that's my best pain management advice. Don't be afraid to use the meds. They give you a happy button in the hospital and don't be worried about using it. I got myself into a really bad place yesterday but I think it was mostly to do with not planning ahead to get my prescription filled and letting it go too long. I was in a BAD way but managed to get it back under control.

Don't fear the pain. Also, getting up and walking around is KEY. It may hurt and you may feel weak at first but do it anyway. It has made ALL the difference for me and I think helps with the pain as well.

Also, I'm now two days out and no shoulder pain. I have been walking A LOT (including at 5 am this morning, lol!) To those who have gone before me: Does shoulder pain come later or have I managed to walk it out (and, well, pass gas it out) and maybe I won't have it? Thoughts?