On Friday, February 12th I went for my banding. The time moved really quickly. I arrived, checked in and was ready to sit and wait for a while when they called my name. I was glad to move so quickly, but this really surprised me. I got the gown, the slippers, robe and gave up the urine sample--not much to give when you've had nothing since midnight and it is almost 10am! From there to a comfy recliner to wait for the nurse. Questions abound and then the lovely Heprin shot in the belly--gotta say not my favorite thing. I'm pretty sure I had my son a few weeks premature to avoid the amnio--needles and belly freak me out. Of course now I have to wonder what I was thinking when I decided to have the band put on knowing that the port would get filled through a needle in my abdomen. I guess it was a blank moment for me, never really thinking about that part, but it is too late now so I will learn to suck it up I'm sure.

I am instructed to go to a small cubby and remove my robe and slippers and get on the gurney to head to surgery--the doctor is a bit ahead of schedule and is waiting for me. Hold up, I still have to kiss my hubby before I head down, could someone please go and get him for me. Ok, they found him, I hand him my glasses and other belongings we go over the little breathing device and I am heading down the long hallway to surgery. The anesthesiologist comes in and introduces herself to me as does her assistant. Mental note, next time around consider this career, her jewlery is beautiful and abundant! My IV is hooked up and some relaxant is also given to me. Now they ask me about prior surgeries and what I am having done, umm the relaxant is kicking in and I am far from with it. The Doctor and his surgical nurse and PA stop out and we head into surgery. I switch tables and they strap my arms and legs in. Someone asks me something, but I fall asleep before I can answer. I wake up about an hour later in recovery where it is very busy. It took forever to get me from recovery to my room--so long in fact they give me a gift card for the supermarket. Now there is some irony I could go on about! I think that will go into my 10 weirdest things list. Seriously, I am at the hospital and the room will be ready when it is ready and it isn't like I can just get up and walk out with all the tubing that is connected to me! Finally, I am back to my room and I get settled, my husband is in there waiting for me as is a very large and beautiful floral arrangement sent by my four best friends. I rest while my hubby works on his laptop saying he got more accomplished sitting there than he would have at work anyway--he was completely uninterrupted. He mentions that the Doctor said he also fixed a hiatal hernia and shared that that may have been what was causing me so much discomfort with my Heartburn and Reflux. I realize I have not asked for anything for pain and continue to doze in and out. Finally at 10 pm I ask for some pain meds. I am given a choice between lortab or a shot, I pick the shot still too afraid to swallow a pill. I slept for about three hours and then kind of rested without much real sleep. I really wish they had not put my IV in my right hand. I walk the halls and at 10 am the PA comes in to tell me I can go home as soon as I have the Upper GI done. I wait and at about 1pm they send a wheelchair and one of my former students to transport me. Well, now this is a bit awkward...I converse all the time praying he doesn't open my chart and see how much I weigh and report to his former classmates...yup, I need to calm down that wouldn't be professional...right? Seriously that barium stuff tastes bad, why they try to mask it with vanilla and lemon is beyond me I think that only makes bad taste even worse. Everything looks good and I can go home. I am home by 3pm after hubby manages to hit every pot hole from Buffalo to Hamburg. I have to wait for him to go get my script filled so I try to relax on the sofa and sort fo fall asleep. He needs to get used to the path from home to the grocery store because over the course of the next 2 days he spends a lot of time there. The gas build up is bad and I can't get comfortable. I try walking I get up every few hours and walk. It feels better when I walk.

Yay for you. Sounds like everything is normal, thus going well for you. I am a teacher so as I read your post I found myself chuckling about your transport adventure. I was banded on the 10th, just a few days ahead of you and I should tell you that the gassy pains last longer than one would imagine. Other than that each day is better than the next. Looking forward to reading about your journey.

Congratulations Bander!!! Feel better soon!