Some initial statistics;

• age 42
  
• been overweight for 30 years on and off
  
• weight pre op 132.7
  
• goal weight 80 or less
  
• Reasons for op - health and opportunity to have a successful IVF program
  
• Operated on at The Avenue, Melbourne
  

It's officially day 4 post op, and it's a good idea that I start writing now, as the first few days now have some perspective.

Day of the op was pretty standard I think, into the hospital, chatted with anaesthesiologist and the surgery assistants, the only thing I would like to say is that the length of time without fluid did kick in a headache prior to op, so going under was a little more stressful, although I was having a laugh with the theatre nurses about a wedding I had been to a week or so before, next thing you knew I was being woken up in post.

They ask you how much it is hurting, and to be honest, I couldn't really tell, I just made up 3 numbers between 1-10. I can remember it vividly, I said 4 first, 7 next then 3 once I hit 3 they shipped me off to my room.

All plumbing in place, drips and saline etc I dozed on and off for a good 12 hours, slowly eating crushed ice which was great for my thirst.

The night was relatively pain free given the Panadine and Morphine, if they give you a choice always go for the IV or injection pain relief, trying to keep dissolved pain relief down is impossible. So Tip #1 always go for the IV or injected pain relief.

Ok well the next morning wasn’t as pain free and the internal wind was uncomfortable

Anyway I mentioned to the surgeon that I felt ok and within 2 hours was being shipped off home, a little too early for me, post the x-ray to check the band was in the right place and doing the right thing, that stuff was just like nasty cough elixir I was on my way home!!

Arrived home and went straight to bed ...

Let the games begin!

Tips #2 - #7

#2 - Lots of pillows

#3 - A eager helper to assist with lifting

#4 - Hot tea

#5 - Clear broth

#6 – Walk

#7 – use this website, if for no other reason than companionship and distraction

The above tips worked for me, other banders will have more, take what you need and add what you have found.

I can’t distinguish between hunger pain and post op pain at the moment, the thicker soups we prepared in advance taste great but I’m having a hard time keeping them down, so I’m on the cup-a-soup and hot tea.

I read in an old post that people said hot tea relieved tightness in the band, and I would have to agree 100% here, the relief from hot tea is wonderful.

I'm looking forward to posting some progress pictures and some weight loss numbers.

So on with day 4, more walking and some hot tea, maybe even a photo or two!

looking forward to reading more and sharing even more with you all.