Just got banded on Monday

mahelpme · September 30, 2005

I got banded on Monday I'm so sorry that I did. It was the hospital/surgery experience from hell. Nobody told us in our support groups pre surgery about the realness of this procedure. My surgery started incompetent nurses not being able to find my veins to place the iv before surgery and blowing out my veins, they had to call in an IV specialist to get it done. Then it's hurry up and wait for the surgery in the holding area for 3 hours. after the surgery I was placed in a room with an 80 year old woman with dementia, I had so much pain, she screamed all night long and I got no sleep. In the middle of the night, my IV drip ran dry that was scarey! The next morning I'm up and about at 7 am waiting to go to roadiology for my barium swallow, more hurry up and wait, I got there at 10am, after that it was back up to my room to wait for a cup of Water before discharge. 12:30 a tray comes up from dietary with a bowl of broth, cup of tea, cup of cranberry juice, cup of apple juice, cup of sorbet and cup of Jello.< /p>

I had to eat this and be observed before I could be discharged. Get home, in extreme pain, start to sip water and the most horrible thing happens. The water goes down vey slowly, you can feel it pass from the band to the larger stomach, not only that but you can hear the Fluid gurggle as it fiters down, I wasn't mentally prepared for that. I can't drink, I'm scared it grosses me out! Next, how do you take shower, comb your hair, change your shirt, walk up the stairs, pick up something if it falls, and most importantly you can't sleep. I've been sitting in my recyliner in my family room since I got home. Very disappointed, I would have it taken out in a heart beat but I'm scared to death of going back into the hospital for more surgery. I would caution everone to think about this procedure fully before having it done. I can only pray now that since it is in place that everything will go well. Obviously I'm going to be compliant because I want a good result but if I had to do it all over again, I WOULDNOT DO IT.

MSFROSH · September 30, 2005

I am very sorry you had such a bad experience. I am scheduled for the lapband 10/28. Do you think you would do it again if you had a better experience at the Hospital?

mahelpme · September 30, 2005

asolutely not, I would not do it again for any reason what so ever! This operation and new lifestyle is mentally exausting and I'm afraid I can't take it, it's only been 2 days and Water gets stuck trying to go down, I'm scared to death, and the pain I feel when I try to swallow is unbelivable. Please think about it and get counseling before you do it

IVANinNJ · September 30, 2005

Glo, I am really sorry to hear about your hospital experience. I just went back to refresh my memory with your previous posts about the Dr quitting the practice and the rescheduling and all that. It seems like nothing has gone right.

Do you think you would consider switching to another surgeon for your aftercare? It sounds like you really need someone new and right now.

DevilMayKare · September 30, 2005

Wait a minute... this is Thursday. A little early to be so sure or unsure of your decision. Most of us did not have an experience anything like that. My surgery and overnight stay in TJ was really very nice and I had no problem drinking at all after the first 24 hours.

I'm really sorry you had such a bad experience, but (i know I'll get hell for saying this) that is an advantage of going to a Mx surgeon who has done thousands of these and therefore is more experienced than most of the US docs.

Please give yourself 2 weeks and see how you feel then. And to everyone reading this, take a look at other posts and see how MOST of us feel. Yes, of COURSE there are exceptions. Believe me, if everyone had the BIRTHING experience I had with my first, there'd be a lot less babies in the world!

banded_for_life · September 30, 2005

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience with your banding. Mine was completely opposite and went very well. But on the Water going down...you do get used to it. You won't be sleeping in the chair forever...I just slept in my bed for the first time last night. Believe me when I say...I know what you are going through. You have a ton of support here and you will do what they did...take it one day at a time. hugggs to you

Marimaru · September 30, 2005

I'm sure this is going to fly across the internet wrong, I really mean this with the most sympathy possible but; what were you expecting from major surgery? As "inevasive" as the lap band is, anything that requires anesthesia is "major surgery".

I really hope that you feel better as soon as possible, and I hope you are able to get better care, or find a doctor that will provide you with better care. Maybe when you are feeling better you can write a letter of complaint to the practice about the horrible care you received.

Feel Better.

sunsett · September 30, 2005

Hey Glo I had my surgery on Monday also. I'm sorry you had such a rough time.

Take it real slow. Did they really make you have all that stuff to "eat" before you went home?

My Bariatric nurse came in to see me and told me she wanted me to have 4 TBLS of Water an hour and increase that over the next serveral days.

I have not been able to do every hour but I'm trying.

Perhaps your trying to take in to much to fast. I stop eating "drinking" when I feel uncomfortable.

They also told me to start with 2 1oz cups of protien drink. I had my first last night. I was stuffed until 4am then I woke up STARVING, had 1oz and slept soundly.

I hope this helps, feel better, take it easy it is a scary time for us learning how our bodys react now. Let me know how your doing.

aneffie53 · September 30, 2005

It takes a while to feel normal again. I can say for sure the day after the surgery I wasn't close to normal for me. Yes it takes a few weeks to get used to the band. And it is work (a lot of mind work), but for me it is offset by the joy of:

- going to dinner and feeling full after I've eaten a third of my meal

- jumping on the scale to see the number going down.

- being able to go for a short walk on the trail by the sea (instead of looking from the car window).

- waking up and feeling -- rested.

- taking my blood pressure in the pharmacy and seeing a new lower number

- already taking less asthma medicine.

- taking the dogs for a walk - separately since they are such a pain together.

All these and more, are things that I hadn't been able to do but have done in the 5 weeks since my surgery. It's been hard mentally, not to have my favorite "friend", but I'm learning new "favorites".

Nothing worthwhile comes easy, but hang in there. The payoff can be huge, I can feel it changing my life, and I'm excited for the months and years to come. I want my life back!!!!

the best me · September 30, 2005

Oh Glo, I'm so sorry. Please slow down, will you? Sunsett is right about only drinking the smallest amounts. The gurgle going down is weird and odd but Celebrate it, that's good news!! Your stoma is open, the liquids are passing, you are recovering! However, if the gurgle really gets to you, start by taking smaller, less frequent sips. sleeping in the recliner is par for the course, we all do it. Being sore and tired from lack of calories is normal.

I know you are surprised by your recovery so far, but really, I promise, it gets better. Perspective is everything, but for now, I know you can handle this and get through beautifully. Spend the time you need ehre on LBT and post all of your questions and concerns and vent all you want to. You will get great advice from really nice people who care!

vinesqueen · September 30, 2005

Welcome to the Bande Gentry Glo! It really does get better, honest!

I'm sorry you had such a sucky time at the hospital, but I think any one whos spent time in hospital can match those experiences. Hospitals are full of sick people, they are not intended to be resorts. At least you were not sick, that's not to say you didn't feel crappy...

One of my stays in hospital for asthma was like that, the poor old woman was shouting "HELP!" and "They're killing me!" all night. It was so bad I went to sleep in the patient lounge! Boy did I get yelled at for that! There was also the many times when I was in the resperatory ICU ward, which was right next to the Detox ward... Once some guy was barking and howling like a dog and someone else was yelling about how he was going to kill everyone ....

It's possible that you were a little dehydrated, which is why they had trouble with your veins, and it's also possible that you are just a really had stick. They have to pack my arms in hot towels most of the time now to find a vein.

Most people report that they had to sleep in a recliner for several days after surgery. I'm sorry your research didn't prepair you for this.

And yes there are going to be times when you gurgle. Like Kathy said, smaller sips will help with the noise. Sometimes you might just be sitting there and suddenly your belly will make the oddest noises! Oh, and your are going to love this, you will now become a big gasbag. farting and burping will become your constant personal music!

You must drink. YOU MUST DRINK. you cannot wash out the anethetic out of your body, which is making you feel like crap. You cannot take your pain meds if you don't drink, and you will feel like crap.

Buck up little camper! Buck up!

sleepyjean · September 30, 2005

Ok waaaaaaaaaaait a second. Burping? Passing gas? sleeping in a recliner? Woohoo - something to look forward to. Does Gas-X help at all?

Seriously - a recliner? The only chairs I own are a pappasan and the wooden chairs in my kitchen. Oy.

vinesqueen · September 30, 2005

I didn't need to sleep in a recliner, I did just fine on my super firm matress at home. You may want to steal all the pillows in the house though

Iluvharleys · September 30, 2005

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at the hospital. You do have to remember you are still swollen! I love hearing my food/liquids going through, I know my band is working when I can hear/feel it.

Things will get better with each day. The best advice I can give to you is walk as much as you can, and sip, sip, sip those liquids.

anewvue · September 30, 2005

My husband and I are both banded. I did not have any of the problems that your talking about, but my husband did. He was banded on Wed. and by Friday he said he was going to call the Dr. on Monday and have it removed. I was so angry. I explained to him he needed to give his stomach time to go back to normal and not be inflammed. Well, he gripped and gripped. By Monday he was fine and happy with his banding.

I hope you will be happy soon too!!!