I leave for the hospital in a couple of hours and my insurance co requires that I spend the night. I was so nervous about the pain since I'm having the band and getting a hiatel hernia repaired, but man, after the "prep" last night, nothing could be worse. I don't know if anyone else had to drink this "lemon" flavored stuff and then not eat anything else but I hope I never have to again. It's been a long rough night. I'm off to take my "before" photo- you didn't really think I looked like Snoopy did you? :thumbup:

Good luck to everyone and I'll let you know how it went on Wednesday!

Congratulations! Hope everything goes well for you and that you have a smooth and easy recovery! Keep us posted.

Suzy

Congrats on the start of a happier and healthier you!!! Keep us posted!

Yea for surgery day! Good luck with a easy surgery and speedy recovery. We'll be here for your update. Take care.

Let us know how you're doing when you can! xo

warning: it's a long post. I'm back! Thank you for thinking of me :crying: In case you haven't had your surgery yet, here's how mine went:

Got to the hospital at 1:15. Put on fashionable booties and gown. Sat in a large recliner (my hubby was allowed in with me) They started my IV fluids and I met with the anesthesiologist. They gave me a shot in my belly- it really didn't hurt at all! It was a blood thinner. And I drank some nasty tasting stuff to reduce my stomach acid. I said goodbye to my husband and walked into the surgery room at 3:15pm. I won't lie- it was scary looking, but I got up the courage not to cry. I stepped up on a step stool, then onto the table and they covered me with a nice warm blanket. I remember an oxygen mask going over my mouth and that was it. I woke up and thought, "Why is there a funny orange head staring at me?" I forgot Halloween is coming up and there was a Jack-O-Lantern on the nurses desk in the recovery room across from my bed, lol! My husband and Mom were allowed in right before they brought me to my room at 7:45pm. I had no pain, just groggy.

It was a long sleepless night. I didn't mind them getting me up to walk every two hours, it was just annoying to be hooked back up in bed to the heart monitor, blood pressure cuff, booties that circulate your blood in your legs, the oxygen up my nose that dried out my mouth and sinuses and the lady in the next bed invented reasons to complain if she couldn't think of any! Finally at about 2:30am the gas pain hit my back and shoulders and I thought, "What the heck have I done to myself." The nurse came in and saw how upset I was. He reminded me I had refused pain medication up until that point. You see, I'm allergic to so many medications, I was afraid to try a new one. I only take Tylenol when something hurts. I broke down and said I'd try the Dilaudid. I fell asleep before they finished putting it in my IV and I slept soundly for the next 3 hours! Moral of the story kids- sometimes it's ok to admit pain and take the meds the Dr. prescribes. I would have saved myself a miserable night if I hadn't been so stubborn.

Yesterday wasn't so bad. I walked as much as possible to break up the gas. They wheeled me down to x-ray to drink a dye and make sure the Fluid was passing through my band o.k. Unfortunately it was going through really slow. They determined that it would be o.k. for me to go home though because I had a rather large hernia repaired right near the band and it looked like it was a lot of swelling from that. I got my prescription filled on the way home and fell asleep. I'm a belly sleeper and must have turned over in my sleep- it wasn't fun turning back over but I was glad to have slept a few hours. Today I walked when I could and rested when I needed to. Each day is a little better. The incisions don't hurt as much as the stupid gas in my back and I've been walking a whole lot. It's amazing to be full after a few sips of broth. I go back to the Dr. tomorrow afternoon and should be moved to phase II diet- farina and low fat creams Soups on top of Clear liquids according to my surgeon. I realize everyone Dr is different as well as every patient. That is his particular diet. All in all, I'm glad I did it, but I'll be happier when I lose this gas pain. Sorry for writing a novel :thumbup:, I just wanted to be as descriptive as possible so future bandsters would know how it went. Now I have to go try and figure out how to get one of those tickers on my profile.

I am glad to hear that every thing went well with your surgery. Thanks for beeing so descriptive as it sure helps me ease my worries and feel more informed.

Hope you feel better:smile:

Glad to hear you're home and doing well!

Woooo.....glad you did so well and are home and resting.

xo

Thank you for your post. I haven't had surgery yet and I'm nervous as a cat! The more info I can learn, the better. You write well -- I look forward to reading about your experiences as you go.

All the best!

pixistix