How are you guys doing?

Was there anything you wish someone had told you before surgery that you'd like to share with the group?

Hope you're all recovering well! :thumbdown:

Pre Surgery

1. Bring a pillow and an insulated mug (for ice chips) for the ride home.

2. If you live alone make sure you move your 1st week food to the top shelves of the refridge.

Post Surgery

1. The mental part requires some work too. Your making a huge change, its more then just a pant size.

2. The value of this website. I didnt find it until about 3 months after the surgery.

3. Follow your Doc's orders to the tee. I did, but I see more and more people on here who are eating solids 2 or 3 days out. I think these first weeks are important not only for healing but for "retraining" yourself how to eat.

I was banded on 2/4/09. I am doing great so far. I have two incisions, they are still bandaged. The incision with the port is still a little swollen and very tender. Sleeping on my side (favorite) is difficult but getting better each night.

I took a robe, magazines, and chapstick to the hospital. They gave me thick socks with rubber non-slip bottoms. I, unfortunately, started my period the day before surgery so my heaviest time was during surgery. Ugh! (They will not allow you use tampons). Enough of that.

My throat was very sore from the breathing tube, as soon as I got home I used Chloroseptic spray (I asked the hospital before I left if I could). I wish I had that with me in the hospital. And maybe some lotion, I felt very dry.

I still have not had a regular bm. But I am still on full liquids so I'm probably not eating anything that will form a regular bm.

All in all, I'm doing just fine and sometimes still think I can't believe I did it!

I wish you the best!

The pillow and ice chips are #1 & #2 on my list.

My doctors provided pre-surgery support, so there weren't too many things that he didn't go over. He did surprise me with a Realize Band instead of the Lapband, so I can't wait to ask why.

I wasn't prepared for the full feeling all the time. I sip Water all day and haven't been hungry. I drank 3 ozs of a Protein shake and feel stuffed.

It a good thing.

Definitely something to hold ice chips for the ride home. I was dying of thirst and was taking tiny sips of Propel (the hospital gave it to me) and I was getting no where.

Chapstick for sure, because my lips were so dry.

I didn't need a pillow for the ride home, I was okay.

A BUTTON UP SHIRT! Wear a button up shirt home because it will just be that much easier. I thought of this the morning of, and was so happy I had because I didn't want to be bothered with a normal shirt.

Mostly, just listen to everything they tell you, and you will be fine. I'm one week out and I feel pretty good...

Inneedofhelp my dr.suprised me also with a Realizeband I guess when we first discussed it he was going Lap-Band, I to am wondering and will ask when I go in for my checkup,I also had a very nice suprise after all was said and done, I had my gallbladder out the old fashioned way, with an incision from my ribs to my waist, I just always thought it was the uglist scar (well it really is),but anyway the scar tissue from that surgery adhered to my stomache on the right side so I should never have to worry about slippage on that side at least one good thing came out of the scar! I am feeling great know one can believe I just had surgery because I feel so great and have been out and about. Good Luck all Feb. Foxes!!!:thumbup:

I think this requires a research study to determine the link http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f80/anyone-notice-post-banders-bit-snobbish-87785/