Hello! I am new to this website and blogging. There is a lot of new in my life at this time. I was banded on February 3, 2012 and I am a little over three weeks post-op. I have listed below what I have experienced over the last month.

Prior to surgery my doctor, Dr. Fox, had me on the South Beach Super-Charge diet phase 1. He doesn't believe in the liquid diet because you will be on liquids after the surgery. I lost 11 lbs. prior to surgery. The couple of days before surgery the center called, a nurse called and the anesthesiologist, Dr. Wong, called. I was surprised and relieved. The day of surgery I had to be at the surgery center at 7:00am and my surgery was scheduled at 8:00am. The staff was very nice and considerate in every way possible. After signing off on all the paperwork I was brought back to change into a hospital gown and some nice warm grippy socks. I was brought back into the pre-surgery room where I was hooked up to an IV and given a shot in my stomach which was a blood thinner. Dr. Wong came and asked me a bunch of questions and answered any questions I had for him. My surgery nurse came in and introduced herself to me and said I would be brought back soon. Within the next 10 minutes my Dr. Fox came by and asked me if I was ready and from here is was a whirlwind. My surgery nurse and Dr. Wong came back. Dr. Wong gave me some sleepy drugs in my IV and I was wheeled back into the operating room. My head was already flying high and people were everywhere. The last thing I remember was this handsome guy at my right side strapping my arm down and I said "Hello". LOL it is funny now thinking about it.

Well the next thing I know I was woken out of a deep sleep to "Melodie please take a deep breath" and this happened for the next 10 minutes I guess. I couldn't keep my eyes open but I kept taking the deep breathes as directed. I slowly began to wake up and they took the oxygen off and told me I would be getting up in a few minutes for a short walk. I was moved into the next room where I was able to sit and they gave me a warm blanket and the nurse brought my husband back. The nurse (I didn’t get his name) kept checking on me and asking me how I was doing. He brought me water and told me to take small sips. I was still very sleepy and kept dozing off on my husband. The nurse came by and took to me restroom and I walked myself back. The nurse stated I was faster than he was. He asked me if I needed anything else right now and I told him I felt sick to my stomach and he said I can fix that. He came back and put something in my IV and within seconds I felt better. The nurse then came back and brought some post-op paperwork we went over and brought me some plastic thing to help with breathing. It was very difficult. I had to use this thing every hour and use it 10 times. I also had to get up and walk around every hour. Dr. Fox came by and asked me how I was doing and asked if I was ready to head home. YES by this time I was ready to head home and crawl into my own bed. The nurse removed my IV and I was released about 11:30am.

When I got home my husband went into the house first and put our dogs outside. He didn’t want them to jump on me. We have a two story and he helped me up the stairs and I crawled into my bed. My husband was a very good care taker bringing me water, making sure I used the breath thing and walking around. Also he made sure I took my medicine as needed. After I was settled my husband went to fill my prescriptions. Once he got back I took the pain killer which I highly recommend. I took my every four hours and took Advil two hours into the four hours. Dr. Fox recommended this, which I would do the same. I did this until Sunday and then went straight to Advil alone expect for bedtime. I thought I would be able to go back to work on Monday but was still sore so I called in sick. I did go to work on Tuesday and it was very uncomfortable driving. I was still very gassy at and took gas-x chewable which helped.

I have been following my doctor’s post-op instructions to the T. I had a follow up with him on February 15 and he said everything is healing and looks good. At my weigh in I had lost a total of 18 lbs. J He gave me my meal plans for the next two weeks and told me to stay away from pork and beef (except hamburger) until 3 months after surgery. I have to say I did have some pork-lion the other night for dinner and it went down fine.

One thing I must tell you if you sneeze you will feel like you are dying! I sneezed on the way to my last doctor’s appointment and thought I was going to die, it hurt so badly. It has gradually has gotten better. It still hurts a little but is bearable. The insides take longer to heal the outside. I still get gassy after drinking my protein but it passes and I can count on one hand how many times I have had a bowl movement (gross I know). Weird…

I have my first aftercare appointment today. We will see how that goes and if I get my first fill today. I hope this way helpful information for someone. If you have any questions please ask.

Melodie