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I too was banded 05/13/08. I started this journey almost a year ago, and took a 12 week detour to take part in an FDA human trial for the gastric sleeve. I'm very grateful that it took so long because I came into this three endoscopies later, very prepared and determined. I may not have been so resolute had the period from interest seminar to surgery been shorter. I came back to work Monday and can't wait until my 2 week post-op next Wednesday so I can weight on the good scale! I know I'm already down some. I am very very sore but every day gets a bit better. My surgeon was Dr. Keith Gersin, Carolina's Medical Wellness & Weight Management Center, Charlotte, NC.

I'm excited to be here and have already learned much and feel encouraged from a bit of reading and lurking here. My surgery was 5/13. Was religious about the 2 week-in-advance high Protein liquid and raw vegetable diet and was at 249 day of surgery (was 266 at the begininning of this journey). I was the first scheduled surgery as I have a latex allergy. Met the anethesia team, got hooked up to IV, heperin shot, etc., and had a nice laugh and kiss from my DH. I was relaxed going in which had to have helped. Was up, aware and in recovery area around 11:15. I was pretty woozie and asked for something for nausea. I wasn't sick but felt like conditions were right! They wanted me to be able to void my bladder before leaving and I couldn't at that time. The nurse said I could probably use another IV bag and more time. I slept another hour or so and felt much much better. I was home by 4 PM! Got all comfy on the sofa. My parents stopped by and I felt good enough that I invited them to please stay and visit awhile. I went to bed around 8 and was allowed to drink Water that night and did. My bladder didn't seem to work on any principal other than gravity until Wednesday afternoon so I kept having to go every 2 hours it seemed. But very little pain. The next day I was more uncomfortable, the shoulder pain and gas stuff, but I kept walking up and down the sidewalk in front of my house, in my bathrobe. I didn't care who saw me! Heating pad helped enormously also. Layed low, kept to Clear liquids through Thursday, then full liquids Friday and Saturday. Was back at work Monday with note from the doc that got me a pass to park close to the office. Sneezed late in the afternoon and SAW STARS. Oh mother was that painful! At 3 PM I'd had enough. Was so hungry and tired, I just had to have some food. Made creamed spinach and very runny mashed potatoes. It was glorius! I slept great, had a great day Tuesday up until getting caught outside in a cloudburst. I couldn't run to get under something but walked as fast as I could, overdid it and got drenched anyway. I'm more sore today than I have been. Still few complaints. Never had nausea, bowel problems of any kind, headache or a lot of pain. Took only about 1/10 of the liquid oxycodone because I was afraid more of getting nauseous from that than feeling discomfort. Didn't have to swallow barium or get x-rayed. I was quite prepared because I was part of an FDA human trial study for the gastric sleeve for 12 weeks last fall. I was NOT in the control group, lost about 20 pounds and gave up anything with bubbles back then. The 3 endoscopies required was not cool... So at 9 days out I'm very very lucky so far. Keeping what I eat around 1200 calories. I fill up quickly, eat very slowly, dont' have liquids 30 minutes before and 60 minutes after meals, but find that if I don't eat at regular intervals, I get some awful blood sugar dizziness and feral crankiness. Am bloated but not grossly so. Isopure sipping between meals helps a lot even though I hate that stuff. I got a Realize band so it's not filled and won't be for 6 weeks. Post op check-up is next Wednesday. Two things I'm already sure of: 1. this already worth it; 2. it would suck to be stabbed. It's a gift to be among you!