Lisa1975

June 28 2009
Well it's the day before surgery and I am starting to get nervous. I remember a month ago saying, "If they would let me have the surgery right now I would go in a heartbeat!!" Now I wish I had that confidence back. But I am still excited to go on this new journey in my life. I'm excited about getting healthier and slimmer!

The weight has really taken it's toll on me physically and emotionally. Having a family history of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol is really frightening to me. My Grandfather passed away from complications of diabetes and heart disease. Not to mention he lost part of his leg due to diabetes. My brother, who was just 38, passed away almost a year ago. He had diabetes, congestive heart failure, and high blood pressure just to name a few. After his death I really started analizing my life and my health. I knew I was wanting to have lap band done, but I didn't know if I was 100% ready to make that jump. I finally decided that I needed to take control of my life. If not, then I was more than likely going to end up like my brother. That was something that I definitely didn't want.

So, here I am... a day away from my BIG day!! I am anxious, nervous, scared, excited... you name it, I am feeling it. More than anything I am ready! I am ready to live again, ready to enjoy my sweet little boy and ready to hold my head high. It's a HUGE step and I'm leaping!

Post-op June 29 2009

Today was my surgery. I arrived at the hospital around 5:15am and then I had my surgery about 3 hours later. The surgery lasted about an hour, maybe a few minutes over that. They done a few tests and then I had to change into my gown. Before  I put the gown on I had to take these warm wipes and cleanse my entire body (neck down) to get rid of any possible germs. Never done that before... so that was kinda strange. After that they started my I-V. When I was rolled into the operating room they placed me on the bed and then placed these leg warmer type of things on my legs. They massaged my legs throughout the surgery to help prevent blood clots. That felt really nice. Next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room, which they reffered to as "Phase 1 recovery." I stayed in there for about 30-45 minutes for them to watch my vitals. I still couldn't have anything to drink at this point and my mouth was really dry. After the stay there I was then transferred into "Phase 2 recovery." At this point I was allowed to have a few visitors and something to drink!!! During this time they also monitored my vitals every 10-15 minutes. I was probably in this room for close to 2 hours. After this I was released and able to go home!!

After the surgery I was very sore... mainly on the left side of my belly. I also had a lot of pain around my shoulders and chest. Which they assured me was normal because of them air they had to put into my stomach during the surgery. Belching seems to help relieve the pain and also walking some. I was sent home with suppositories for nausea and liquid Lortab for the pain. The nurses said that if I didn't want to tak Lortab then I could take childrens liquid tylenol. 

It has been 10 hrs since my surgery. I am able to walk around some but still have pain... of course. The pain around my shoulders, neck and chest is still there but not as bad. It seems to help if I walk around because then I am able to burp some. The motion sickness isn't there anymore. I am still tired and sleepy off and on. I am also finding it hard to get as much liquids as I need because I am feeling bloated and I don't have an appetite. But tomorrow is a new day and hopefully a day closer to recovery!