Just wanted to stick a note in for all the October "bandsters". I am having surgery tomorrow, with a bit of trepidation. I am one of those "fortunate" morbidly obsese folks that really doesn't have any co-morbidities at this moment except insulin resistance (which is the medical reason that I am having surgery, I do NOT want to be a diabetic at age 45). Nervous about anesthesia and the first few days. Does anyone want to share about how their "new" stomach feels after surgery and how much activity could you really do the first few days?

Thanks for your input in advance.

Congrat on having your surgery tomorrow. I've not had this surgery yet, but I remember when I had my Gall Bladder out. It wasn't as bad as I thought and anesthesia was real easy for me. Once I came out, I sat an read until my signifant other got of work. They are a nurse at the surgery facility. Piece of cake and I'm sure you will do great.

The last time I had anesthesia I was so sick that I dreaded it for surgery. I was also dreading the hospital - I freak in hospitals - so I got my surgeon to agree I could go home the same day if I felt okay. I had surgery at 9, woke uparound noon, did the barium swallow at 2, ate at 5 and went home at 6. I was tired that day. My mother had me shopping at Walmartat 5 the next morning. Needless to say, I did take a nap that afternoon. I am a wimp and thought this was pretty easy. Good luck and keep us updated. Celeste

I was banded on 9/16/05 and wasn't at all nervous about the anesthesia. I had every confidence in my surgeon and the anesthesiologist. Just make sure that you ask the anesthesiologist any questions you may have. This may alleviate your fears.

My stomach felt a little weird but not bad. I had a little bit of pain from the incisions but nothing else. You may feel the liquids draining from the pouch but it doesn't hurt.

Just take it easy and don't do any lifting, try not to bend if you don't have to, and make sure you have someone there to help you in the event you need it.

Good luck!!

I was banded 9/23 and I felt rough for about 2 days and then I felt really good. I took it slow and easy. I had surgery on a Friday and was back at work the next Wednesday.

I had surgery at 9 a.m., and left the hospital at 4. I was pretty sore and stayed in bed for 3 days, and then I worked from home (fortunately I can do that!!) for the rest of the following week. I would not trade this experience for anything!!

No issues at all with the anesthesia. I did have some gas pains for a few days in my shoulders, but the painkillers made it feel pretty mild :-)

Hi! I'm having band surgery tomorrow also!

I'm another fortunate one, I have minor issues related to my obesity (joint pain, lower back pain, reflux) and am chosing to take control now while I'm still relatively healthy.

I also have flat feet, and my tendons become very painful if I walk to much. I usually have to take an anti-inflamatory pill, but I know this won't be possible after being banded. So, I have hope that losing some weight will reduce some of the strain.

I'm not too worried about the anesthia, I do plan to ask several questions though. Just to satisfy the voices in my head!

All the best,

I had surgery 9 days ago and i'm all normal again! For 3 days post-surgery I was crampy and sore but I could walk around the house - I slept alot though the 1st 24 hours after surgery. I had surgery on Friday and went back to work for 1/2 day on Tues. By Thursday I was ok to work all day. I had no serious co-morbities, just reflux and knee pain - no refulx since surgery. All in all I felt like crap for a few days, then so-so for a few days and now I'm all back to normal except my incisions are a bit sore still.

Good luck and welcome to bandland!

PS. I was scared sh**less of the anesthesia,,,, but now I see it was no big deal and I won't be scared when I get a tummy tuck someday!

Bungle69-

Hakuna Matata- No Worries, you'll do great! I just had my band placed on 10/4. They had to give me double the anasthesia (apparantly, I was pretty fociued on the picture of my wife and kiddos in front of me!). Even with the extra amount, I thought recovery was no problem. I was pretty sore for the first 2 days, but it was very manageable. I took every suggestion that they gave me for quick recovery from anasthesia: Get up and move (even if it's slow!), take lots of deep, slow breaths (this expands you lungs and protects you from pnuemonia), and hold a pillow to your stomach and try to push out little coughs (this also helps get the anasthesia out and the lungs working best). The coughing was tough....but getting out of bed as much as I could without overdoing it felt very good. The Morphine in the hospital and the Percocet out of the hospital made for a big help with pain, too. I really feel great now...and it's only been 5 days! And to make it all worthwhile...I'm already down another 6 pounds. It's going to be just fine. Do you have somebody at the hospital with you...some "cheerleaders" and people who'll pray for you? That helps!

Best of luck to you. Grace and peace to you today.

Hola, Mine was 10/3/05 In at 6A out by 2p and I was sore a while did a 10 hour shift on day 4 and one on day 5. I am a little crazy (and broke) but I took it easy and stopped when I needed to. Hubby was great so was my son. All friends were calling asking if I was okay. Most of them want to do the procedure also but I am the quinea pig. So far so good

Good luck to both of you!!!I will be thinkin about you.

Elda

I felt crappy for a little over a week, but I had a three hour plane ride then stuck at Houston airport for 8 hrs, then a four hour plane ride to atlanta, and then a two hour drive in the car.

You will do great.

Hope you had a easy surgery! And I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Hay good luck on your banding tomarrow. I am banded on wed, tomarrow pre op. Surgary on Wed, home by friday at the latest. If you dont here from me by friday. keep trying.

Banding by ORtiz

on 10-12-05

Hey I,hope your day go wells, and a speedy recovery to weight loss.

hope all goes well - we will be thinking of you and hoping you have a speedy recovery. Someone told me before surgery - just think that when you wake up - you will finally have the edge that you have been wishing for through out all your days of diets and failure at dieting. When you wake up - you won't be in this fight alone. That was comforting to me.

You will do fine! I had mine on a wednesday and out being social on saturday! Stay calm and everything will be fine. Best to you.