I am home from the hospital and offically banded! It was a lot smoother than I expected. I prepared for the worst, but hoped for the best and it really turned out to be no big deal. It really wasn't bad at all. I woke up from the anesthia really easily, I was up and walking around 2 hours after recovery, in fact a few of the nurses couldn't believe it and said they were amazed that I was already walking. I have 5 inscions, and 4 are pretty tiny. The doctored covered them with a clear glue like substance, no stiches or steri strips. I was able to take a shower 24 hours afterwards. But was told not to scrub the area. Not like I would have wanted to anyway!!

I had a lot of gas in my chest and shoulder areas, and it killed but I had read countless posts that its best to walk walk walk after surgery and that is SOO true, every time I would finish walking around the ward, I would let out a burp and started to gradually felt better each time.

I had originally thought that it was going to be an outpatient procedure, in fact when the hospital called to confirm it a few days earlier they said it was outpatient as well. Well when I got there yesterday morning at 7:30am to register the nurse told me the doc wanted me to stay inpatient for insurance purposes (I guess he gets reimbursed for more of the procedure that way.) I was pissed at first, since I didn't plan or pack for an overnight stay. I had absolutely nothing with me but my ID and insurance card and chapstick. But I agreed, knowing that I have lots of expereince in hospitals, it does give a feeling of comfort knowing that with the push of a button a nurse will come and bring me some gooooood drugs. :thumbup:

I didn't have tons of pain but kept getting the pain killers, and I would highly reccommend that. I had some of the best sleep I've ever had last night. Like floating on a cloud The pain wasn't bad, I just more so just felt uncomfortable and "tight". But nothing I couldn't bare, mosting gettnig up and laying down is the toughest. But it's been less than 48 hours since surgery and I feel fine. I've been up and down a few sets of stairs, and probably circled the ward about 15 times no problem.

So, now I'm home. I'm not hungry really. But my stomach is gurgling. It's an odd sensation....I thought I was going to be on an all liquid diet this week, but they gave me pudding and yogurt and milk which is great. (Better than broth!). So, I think I will do ok. I have all day tomoorrow to rest as well (Sunday) and then I plan to go back to work Monday instead of Tuesday. I don't think I'll have a problem.

Oh but does anyone else have to give themselves self injections daily post-op for 10 days of a blood thinner?? I found out I had to do this and it freaked me out!! My first one is tomorrow.