donnynguyen

Just wanted to share my Lap Band Surgery day. I checked in at the hospital at 5:30 am this morning. I was escorted to the pre-op room where they asked me to fully undress and put a gown on. The nurses asked me numerous questions and made me feel real comfortable. The nurse asked me if I wanted to take something prior to going in the operation room, I guess to calm any nerves if I had any. I politely declined because I was cool as a cucumber. The anesthesiologist came by and asked a few medical background questions. Shortly thereafter the surgeon's nurse came by to go over the post op diet and pain medications they will be giving me. I did meet the surgeon just before being rolled back to the operation room. So when I get into to the surgery room I got a little anxiety. Seeing all these robotic tools, medical lights, and "doctor stuff", made me feel a little nervous. They rolled me next to the surgery bed. They asked me scoot over onto to the table. They have arm and leg extensions where I was asked to spread on onto. I remember them strapping me down across my waist with my gown on. I am assuming they strapped my arms and legs down. I don't recall because the anestesia kicked in immediately. I woke up in the post op room and felt sore. The nurse asked me if I needed to urinate. I did but declined because I'd figure I'd hold it until I got home. The nurse was insistent to urinate prior to leaving the hospital. The nurse wheeled me over to the restroom. I felt very weak. My shoulders and stomach was hurting. It was hard to stand up. The post op nurses came by and asking me alot of questions but I keep falling in and out of sleep. They wheeled me out to the front of the hospital where my ride was waiting. When I got home I did not want to move. LoL. I was content just sleeping there. I was scared I was going to fall. Getting up and down was painful. So my mother got a office chair with wheels on it and rolled me to my room. I highly recommend a chair with wheels for when you get home. I didn't want to hold on to my 5 foot 4 asian mom for support. I slowly climbed into the bed and fell asleep. I woke up at 7pm this evening having to urinate. I was in alot of pain and felt like throwing up. Make sure you make yourself cough to get the stuff out. Initially before surgery I told my friends I wasn't going to use the pain meds they provide. I quickly changed my mind and took some liquid loratab. I also took some nausea medicine and used a gas x strip. I am currently sitting on my recliner and typing this post. The pain has subdued dramatically and no longer feel like throwing up. I still haven't lifted my shirt to check out the scars yet. As a matter of fact I still have hospital socks on along with some leg warmers the hospital provided to help with blood clots. Well I hope this helps people that are about to take on this endeavor. Feel free to ask me any questions. BTW, in my head food sounds good. But I am not physically hungry right now. I am in no mood to get back on liquids again. Just make sure you keep sipping Water.

Currently on day 7 on the preop liquid diet. I am just eating alot SF Jello and beef broth. I found a drink at 7-11 yesterday called Protein Rush. Tastes great and has 40 grams of protein with 240 calories. I've drank two today so far along with some SF Jello and feel real satisfied. I am amazed on what my body is content with versus what I thought it would need, hence my weight problem. I try not to think to ahead with the possibility of getting discouraged of not being able to stay liquid the whole two weeks.

October 8th Surgery date....I hate this 2 week liquid diet though...