lifeisjustbeginning2011

I just used a medicine dropper to squirt water or juice in my mouth. It was hard for me to hold the glass, especially when flat in bed. Since fluid intake is so iimportant im really trying hard to grab constant sips. No gulping allowed anymore with the band.

I snapped a couple of photos if you want to check them out. I included a post op picture that shows the four incision locations (but it isn't gross, everything is covered). http://lifeisjustbeginning2011.blogspot.com/

My long winded post about yesterday's surgery! I arrived three hours before my scheduled time. Since I have a history of being a difficult stick, I came an hour earlier. That turned out to be a good idea because getting an IV started was a 45 minute process. Make sure to ask for Lidocain when you get your IV - much less painful I took off all my clothes and got a super fashionable hospital gown and a grown up diaper to wear. Apparently the diaper is standard because many people lose their bladders under anesthesia. I signed all of the consents, the nurse started an antibiotic drip and put some Pepcid in the IV. The only other needed stick was Heparin, which was in my tummy, but not too bad. I also got an anti-nausea patch behind my ear that will stay on for several days. I made it very clear that I did not want a sedative prior to surgery and that I wanted to be the one to move myself onto the OR table, etc. They honored that and in the OR I positioned myself on the table with a pillow under my back, nurse attached the sticky pads for my stats, the circulation cuffs on my leg were hooked up and then I was given some oxygen. There was music playing and the atmosphere was very relaxed (well, minus the gigantic light above me). The nurse was right next to me, and talking my ear telling me what was going on. She told me that the gas was starting and about 5 seconds later, I was out. I remember a tear running down my cheek at that moment, as it really hit me that this was happening. I awoke in recovery and asked for my dad. I pulled up my gown to make sure it wasn't a dream and that I really had the surgery. LOL I rested in recovery for a bit, changed clothes and went home with a pillow covering my belly. I don't remember much about recovery at all. Once home, I got into bed but never fell asleep. I did (and am still doing) many laps inside the house. My dogs think I'm going somewhere and keep following me. Ha!! All in all, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Yes, there is discomfort, but nothing worth crying over. I make sure never to miss a dose of the pain medications (having dad wake me up to take it). I'm spending most of my time in the recliner, but make sure to get up every 30-45 minutes or I get stuff. Walking walking walking is where its at. I took some pictures from yesterday that I'll post I'm so thankful to have the fellow post-oppers here. You guys are a great source of support! Amy

Just a note to let everyone know that yesterday's surgery went just fine. The doc did repair a 1-2 cm hernia, which i hear is very common. The surgery center staff was so helpful and friendly. I'm officially moving over to the July 2011 group in the post op section and I'll post some more information about my surgery. Best wishes to all that are coming up in July Amy

Found a nice way to hydrate. I put crushed ice and some gatorade in a cup and then every 15-30 minutes i cam just squeeze a dropperful into my mouth. This way i make sure i am not gulping and it doesnt spill.

Had a great surg experience. The staff was awesome and i felt at ease! I will post more later but wanted to thank you all for the nice words. My surg started a 12pm and I was out by 3pm and home at 3:30. Im eating ice chips like crazy because my mouth is super dry. No sore throat though. Look forward to hearing from the other 8 peeps from today! Amy

My final post...slept like crap last night and awoke way earlier than I needed to. Oh well. Cheers to new beginnings. See you guys on the other side!! Thinking of all of you that are going before me this morning. <<hugs>>

Nechama L - so glad to hear that things went well for you!! I promise to post as soon as I can tomorrow. Surgery is at 12PM. Amy

My surgery time is 12:00PM (YUCK!) but I arrive at 9:00. I have to get there an hour earlier than most people because of my history with difficult veins. I'll have to leave my place around 8:15 due to the lovely Phoenix traffic. I'm drinking Water like a madwoman - I don't want to be dehydrated at all (temps are over 110 degrees here). I'm going to squeeze that IV bag dry before I leave tomorrow! Best Wishes to everyone! Amy

you should brag - congratulations!!! I loved reading your story, I'm being banded tomorrow. Best wishes for the future!!

The Bariatric Advantage company just sent me a sample pack for free, specially designed for gastric band patients. There were like 6-7 samples. Very nice...can't wait to try them! Definitely give them a buzz and they'll hook you up! Celebrate also sent an excellent sample pack for free as well.

Any pre-oppers, we have a super awesome thread going in the pre-op area. That's where all of the good action is right now. If you haven't found us yet, here is the direct link. Shauna has a running list of everyone who is being banded by their surgery dates Pop over and check it out. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/131097-any-july-2011-banders/

** IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ZOFRAN PRESCRIPTIONS ** I just went to pick up my meds in prep for tomorrow's surgery. My insurance rejected it because of the cost ($170) and because the primary use for it is for chemo patients. MAKE SURE if you will be prescribed Zofran that you have an alternate script in case it isn't covered or you will be out of luck! It is a mess of the pharmacy calling the doctor, etc etc. Apparently it is very common for this medication to be rejected by insurance companies. Try to get those scripts ahead of time. One less thing to do. I ended up with suppositories and hopefully that will be enough. On a lighter note, the experience of discussing the prescriptions in the drive thru with my dad as the driver in the car was interesting. The pharm was saying into the speaker, "INSERT ONE RECTALLY" and my dad was trying not to turn red. It was funny. I told him I might need his assistance with that. LOL. I think I can take care of that part, dad.

LMAO! Too funny! I just figured that the group would probably grow quite a bit in the next week or so with more newbies coming in, so we could bring 'em in a we phase out as we have our surgeries and change topics from pre to post op stuff. I plan to post there as soon as I can. I promise I won't write any horror stories! My surgery is at noon (YUCK!!!!) but I have to be there at 9AM. It would have been 10AM, but I have such a difficult history with blood draws and IV's (I've even had them IN MY FEET!!!) that I requested to come earlier so I don't play the "every nurse gets to try to start an IV on her" game. I've so done that before and I'll be nervous enough tomorrow. Luckily, they were accommodating and hopefully we can skip to the person that always gets the vein, rather than try 27 others first. I haven't had any real food in a week, and I'm going to be super bitchy!

After we have our surgeries, I made a place for us to go in the post-op area. Here is the direct link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/132493-july-2011-bandsters/ I'll still be checking back to cheer on those who still have surgeries coming up.

After we have our surgeries, I made a place for us to go in the post-op area. Here is the direct link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/132493-july-2011-bandsters/ I'll still be checking back to cheer on those who still have surgeries coming up.

Thinking of you, Nechama!! Our first brave soul!

Alrighty, folks. I made 7 flavors of sugar free Jello and I'm ready to rock and roll. My dad arrives later today and he'll stay with me for a few days following surgery. I picked up some Pyrex brand glass custard cups with lids, so those will be great as small bowls!! I found them at Walmart.

Yes - when I went to my pre-op appt with the surgeon earlier this week, they scheduled a post op check with the surgeon and also my first fill (in August sometime). Just remember - it is your body - if you don't want a fill, you don't have to get one The company I picked covers fills for the first year - however frequent or infrequent they are needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiHrSsJm82U My inspirational song for today!! Feeling Good by Nina Simone Birds flyin' high you know how I feel Sun in the sky you know how I feel Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me yeah, its a new dawn its a new day its a new life for me ooooooooh AND I'M FEELING GOOD Fish in the sea, you know how I feel River runnin' free you know how I feel Blossom on the tree you know how I feel Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me And I'm feelin good Dragonfly out in the sun you know what i mean dont you know Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean Sleepin' peace when day is done that's what I mean And this old world is a new world and a bold world for me Stars when you shine you know how I feel Scent of the crime you know how I feel Your freedom is mine, and I know how I feel Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me (Free styling) OH I'M FEELING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

Ask the doc about anti-nausea medications ahead of time. Mine prescribed both an oral pill and a suppository.

Holy cow. Can I just tell you guys how much water I'm drinking to stay hydrated? Temps are 114ish and yikes....thought I was going to pass out at the vet's office this morning. Keep on chugging....keep on chugging.....

Nothing like the boy in the bunch to stir stuff up! LOL

<pre-op high five!> You got that right. I'll be with ya in spirit on Friday! At last count, there were NINE of us that are having our surgery on July 1st.

Best wishes to you! I'm on Friday