nmh0604

I had sort of the same problem except with sneezing. My allergies were really horrible with all of the rain that we just got. The only thing that helped me was allergy and to make sure I had a pillow near by to put over my stomach, lightly press into your stomach, and cushioned the sneeze/cough. I learned this in nursing school for patients, like us, who had abdomin operations. Also if you put the pillow over your abdomin and take a deep breath and then cough it should help. Hopw this helps!

I had a throw pillow for the drive home to put between the surgical site and the seatbelt. Also, I had to go get liquid tylenol and some of my allergy meds in liquid form. I bought alot of sugar free popsicles and jello. That is all I can think of I hope everything goes well for you.

I'm at home and doing fine. I had a wonderful experience from start to finish. No complaints. I was really excited whan I found out that I would get a private room (even with self pay). I was more worried about having a psycho for a roommate then I was about the actual surgery!!! I had my husband talked into staying if the roommate was weird but thankfully he didn't have too. Some of the things I learned: 1> double check if they want to send you home on Lovenox. They prescribed 2 weeks worth and we filled it at harper pharmacy. I then questioned the prescription via e-mail to the staff to find out if this was correct and Dr. Laker called me back, YES the doctor actually phoned, and said it was a mistake and to stop taking the meds. This was after I had a $60 co-pay. oh well I can wirte it off on the taxes. 2: Wait to fill the pain meds also becasue the day I got home I took liquid extra strength tylenol and was fine 3: bring a small throw pillow for on the way home to place between you and the seatbelt for protection (this was my husbands idea) so that if it tightens up while in the car you don't have the seat belt going right into you surgical area. 4: Also get a pill crusher and have as many of your medicines in liquid form. I tried to take my small pills and had some trouble even though they were smaller then a M&M like the doctor suggested. The day after I got home I went out and bought liquid vitamins, zyrtec, and tylenol.

If you are paying for the hospital stay you might as well stay. I was banded on 6/2 and I stayed the night and I was very appreciative for the nurses who came and checked on me and gave me the scheduled pain meds through the IV because I was too nauseated to take pills. Also, I had to wear SCD on my legs to prevent blood clots. Have you asked your doctor if he will let you go early? I know mine would have freaked out and said no and not have done the surgery.

I was banded on 6/2 and there was no way that I would have been able to drive myself home. The hospital will probably not release you without someone to drive you. I brougt a throw pillow to place over my abdomin between myself and the seatbelt so it would not hurt if it tightened up real fast (my husbands idea) Also try to take a Suv or a truck it is easier to get out of when you have been sitting for a long time you can just plop out instead of pushing yourself out. Good Luck!!

If you e-mail me I will send you the pre and post op information the Great lakes e-mailed me. nmh0604@hotmail.com. Just put in something in the subject line about lap band so I don't earse it.

I went to the seminar in Nov. and met with Dr. Laker about a week later. If you are self paying you can set the date asap. They offered me the next week, but due to work I couldn't do it. So I set it for a month later. Then I freaked out and canceled. I was on the internet the first of may and found out they lowered the price. So I took the leap. I was told that as long as the payment or financing was made by the end of may you could set the surgery date anytime and qulify for the lower price. I am really excited I have been on the liquid diet and have already lost 10 pounds. I really suggest the adkins shakes they have higher protein and less carbs. For self pay Dr. Laker doen'y have a lot of hard criteria but your BMI has to be a higher then a certain number (Ican't remeber the number). Mine is 50 so thre was no problem. Also, don't let the office and waiting room scare you, (my mom and I thought that we were in the ER at Harper and not a doctors office), The staff and Dr. Laker are great. He spent about 35 minutes with me the first visit. he went over my med history and diet and eating habits. I had my mom with me so she wasable to fill in info that I forgot.

I am being banded by Dr. Laker on 6/2/08. I really liked him and the office staff. I am paying out of pocket and went through surgeryloans.com for financing. I am from the west side of michigan and went to a huge facility on Grand Rapids and was not as impressed as with Great Lakes. If you have any questions e-mail me.