Freedom2008

I have lost 37.5 lbs. I am so happy! Just got 2nd fill last week and have had to really adjust eating style.

I used a q-tip with alcohol on them and they came off easily - just dont use too much

Hello all I was just banded on May 1, 2008. I checked in at 5:30 am, was taken to pre-op @ 20 minutes later and here is how it went. I was assisted by a nurse and a nursing student. I was given my lovely robe and slippers and a numbing shot for my IV site. I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse at this time also. I hit the bathroom one last time then I was wheeled off to the OR. I know this is TMI, but I gotta tell ya - try if at all possible to have a bm the morning of your surgery so that you will not have to do any pushing afterward. I remember scooting from my bed to the operating table, taking a deep breath then waking up in post op ( recovery). Before surgery I made sure to tell the nursing student to watch my face when I woke up so that if I had any pain I could get my pain meds started asap. Well, as soon I started to become aware, before I even opened my eyes, I heard the nursing student say "she's frowning!". The post op nurse asked me to rate the pain and I was given the appropriate pain killer and back off to sleep I was. I woke up @ 10:00 am to get moved to the outpatient recovery room and was able to visit with my family and watch tv for a while. I took a swallowing x-ray test and met with my surgeon who said that he wished all his bandings were as easy as mine. I guess my pre-op liver shrinking diet was worth it afterall. I have small kids so I stayed with family to be waited on while my hubbie took care of the kids at home. It was so nice - my family served me broth hot tea, Jello, Water and my pain meds. They also read all of the literature and talked about how proud they were of me for being so brave and making a healthy choice. I slept well on my left side and woke up at 4:oo am for some pain meds then was up and about reading throughout the day. I took a nap from noon to 3:00 p.m and was rested enough to come home tonight. I am still using my pain meds - though not every four hours like I was at first. I took great care not to use my stomach muscles even when they were feeling ok as I didnt want to be sore later. I also walked up and down steps several times and I think that is making my recovery so much easier. Some of my concerns: I was afraid of being aware of the breathing tube being taken out. - It was out before I becare aware of anything. I was scared about the whole naked thing - I was draped with blue paper sheets and the portion of my stomach that was operated on was the only thing showing. I was worried that my large chest would get in the way - The girls were taped up out of the way. YAY!! All in all, do not fear the pain... it is so doable and the surgery is so worth it!

You are so not the one that is "feeling hungry" - I am trying to not use the "S" word to phych myself out. I am feeling more emotionally hungry than anything. Now that all the hoopla is over with the surgery its just me and my eating issues to deal with. Oh, and to make things even better, today when I wentto my surgeons office to have my bandages checked, the lady nurse had me wait while she finished her Subway combo in front of me - chips and all -uuuuugggh.

(I originally posted on the pre-op forum but I wanted to share with upcoming banders) Hello all I was just banded on May 1, 2008. I checked in at 5:30 am, was taken to pre-op @ 20 minutes later and here is how it went. I was assisted by a nurse and a nursing student. I was given my lovely robe and slippers and a numbing shot for my IV site. I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse at this time also. I hit the bathroom one last time then I was wheeled off to the OR. I know this is TMI, but I gotta tell ya - try if at all possible to have a bm the morning of your surgery so that you will not have to do any pushing afterward. I remember scooting from my bed to the operating table, taking a deep breath then waking up in post op ( recovery). Before surgery I made sure to tell the nursing student to watch my face when I woke up so that if I had any pain I could get my pain meds started asap. Well, as soon I started to become aware, before I even opened my eyes, I heard the nursing student say "she's frowning!". The post op nurse asked me to rate the pain and I was given the appropriate pain killer and back off to sleep I was. I woke up @ 10:00 am to get moved to the outpatient recovery room and was able to visit with my family and watch tv for a while. I took a swallowing x-ray test and met with my surgeon who said that he wished all his bandings were as easy as mine. I guess my pre-op liver shrinking diet was worth it afterall. I have small kids so I stayed with family to be waited on while my hubbie took care of the kids at home. It was so nice - my family served me broth hot tea, Jello, Water and my pain meds. They also read all of the literature and talked about how proud they were of me for being so brave and making a healthy choice. I slept well on my left side and woke up at 4:oo am for some pain meds then was up and about reading throughout the day. I took a nap from noon to 3:00 p.m and was rested enough to come home tonight. I am still using my pain meds - though not every four hours like I was at first. I took great care not to use my stomach muscles even when they were feeling ok as I didnt want to be sore later. I also walked up and down steps several times and I think that is making my recovery so much easier. Some of my concerns: I was afraid of being aware of the breathing tube being taken out. - It was out before I becare aware of anything. I was scared about the whole naked thing - I was draped with blue paper sheets and the portion of my stomach that was operated on was the only thing showing. I was worried that my large chest would get in the way - The girls were taped up out of the way. YAY!! All in all, do not fear the pain... it is so doable and the surgery is so worth it! Update - Now two whole days out and still feeling great. I make sure to rest when needed and will not hesitate to knock back a pain killer when needed. I have not had to use all of the doses but its nice to know its there if necessary. I am also walking up and down my apartment stairs the keep the gas moving out:smile2: i am also still sleeping on my right as the left is still uncomfortable.

You are going to be fine. It may be a little scary but alot of people do it on their own. Also, from what I hear, many of the Dr's in Mexico have close contact with their people after the operations - while they are in the hospital. Also, if possible, make arragements to log on while you are recoving - it helped me alot to chat with others going through the same thing.

Good luck to all of you. The operations will go by in no time and you will be sitting there thinking "Wow, after all that research and thinking, I am walking around with a band in me!" YAY!

YAY YAY YAY for you!!!!!!!!!!

Isnt that x-ray stuff nasty!!! Oh well, its quick and gets the job done and the result is that you are assured that the band is working properly. Congrats!!!! I am a May 1 bander also!

I would add a big variety of herbal and non caf teas. Hot tea felt so good going down when everything else was gross. Also get a variety of brands of broth as you may get tired of the same type. Oh yes - I also made sure all my clothing was clean and put away so that I could just grab changes of clothes, shower and relax again. I also did a super duper bathroom cleaning and bleached everything twice because I dont want any infections when showering. I know it sounds weird but a clean bathroom makes me feel better.

I know how you feel. I keep telling my husband that this is going to be a whole new thing for me. I lost @10 lbs during my pre-op diet and thought I had it going on (hahaha). That has always been my downfall - loosing a few pounds - getting cocky and gaining all plus some. I am so glad I got banded.

Congrats to you!!!

Yeah - I just wanted people to know that it can be a good experience also - I was so scared by all the "5 days out and I cant move" stories!

I tried to just copy -hope it worked

I went throught the exact same thing during my optifast diet. I really did want to stop sometimes - and somtimes cheated a bit. But please know that the feelings will change as time passes. Don'd be hard on yourself. Now is the time to really take care of yourself emotionally.

I am not sure how to copy it to the May thread - any ideas?

Thats too funny!!!!

Yes Tammy - shake it off. All will go fine as it is an elective procedure, the Dr's have plenty of time to knock you out and wake you up without being rushed so you shouldnt be aware of any tubes.

Thanks so much and good luck to you!!!!

I am not sure if the port is visible as I cannot remove my bandages until I meet with the Dr. on Thursday.

Judy - You are right. I am lucky to have my family but I also decided to take care and baby myself even before they offered to take care of me. I think it helps to just let your body heal on it's own clock. Everyone has their own recovery timeline but positive thinking helps alot also.

I have been wearing my soft (non-underwire) bras since surgery and have not had any problems. My highest incision is between the breasts at about the braline.

No catheter for me but if you get one, i doubt you will feel anything as it will be out before you become aware.

Thanks! I am feeling so crazy right now!! I am going to call my nutritionist on Monday because I feel so yuk- seems as if my breath has even changed

I am on my third day of optifast and feel so uncomfortable - not hungry - somach just feels thick and gross. Anyone else experience this?:tongue_smilie: