mom2smc

I had my surgery yesterday (yay!) and I also chose Lap-Band AP. I liked the look of it better than the Realize. Have a great day!

Good Morning Everyone!! My date was yesterday (13th). I woke up pretty nervous, wondering if I was doing the right thing. But I quickly said absolutely!! I woke up my husband (not an easy thing to do) and we had to take our 5 year old to the sitter (my sister) then started on our way. He is such a slow driver!!! He also had to stop and get something to eat!!! I said it was okay, but the McDonalds smelled pretty good! (and I don't even like McDonalds) anyway, we hit TONS of traffic on I-75! I was getting so antsy...He doesn't change lanes or anything to try and get around anyone. I was getting really irritated. I drive that road everyday to get to work, so I guess I am used to it. I had to call the Drs. Office and tell them we were running about 15 minutes late because of the traffic. So, it was about 20 minutes late when we got there. They took a later appt ahead of me so we had to wait in the waiting room for a while. They took my back at 10:30, (my original appt was 9:30) everything went pretty quick after that. I changed my clothes they asked all kinds of questions (again) they got an IV started (which was not easy either, my veins are small and deep), the anesthesiologist came in and I told him (again) that I have heard I am a hard intubation. He looked in my throat and said he didn't see any issues, especially since my uvula and tonsils were gone (last year's surgery for sleep apnea). They rolled me into the surgical room, I slid over to the surgical bed, they started to strap my arms down at the same time the anesthesiologist said good night and that was it. I forgot to mention Dr Curry and his nurse came in a few times to check on me during the whole prep time, gave me re-assurances, etc. That was nice. I woke up and my stomach hurt pretty bad, but my mouth and throat hurt too. I looked at the clock I had been out for over two hours! When they noticed I was awake, the anesthesiologist came over and said "You are right, you are a hard intubation!!! Your vocal cords are on the opposite side they are supposed to be!" So my mouth was traumatized from all that! I have sores on my tongue and lip. But the lap-band was inserted successfully and all is well. I have five incisions. I get to take off the gauze later today and see what they look like. Looks like they did use one of my 15 yr old scars from where they took out my gall bladder. I'm not sure because I was still out of it but I think they said the port was the top scar. Which would mean it isn't anywhere near where the pictures in the literature said it would be. Anyway, we left the surgical center about 2:45-3:00 and I fell asleep in the car and went to bed as soon as I got home. I woke up at 6:00 when my sister brought my son home and I felt really good! No pain! I stayed awake for a couple hours; pain started a little bit, so I took some Lortab, a nausea pill, and went back to bed. Woke up a couple times to take more medicine and woke up about an hour ago. I feel pretty achy today though. When I am sitting still, I feel achy; my stomach doesn't really hurt until I start moving. I started out with some warm de-caf tea, which tastes really good, and some pain medicine. But, I think that is the last time I will Lortab; I just don’t think it does anything. I have never thought it helped me, I have been given that when I had the few surgeries I have had and I never felt it helped. But I didn't say anything, because I thought maybe it would this time. So I am going to stick with the liquid Tylenol and Aleve. Those are the two over the counter meds they suggested. One more thing..... I have NO GAS PAINS!!!! Isn't that crazy! They asked if I did at the center, and I said I don't think so, they said I was one of the lucky ones. I did have gas from the time I woke up from surgery until last night. Maybe that is the last of that! I think I'll try the heating pad today for the achiness with the Tylenol and Aleve. All in all, it was a very small inconvenience for the huge benefits I will be receiving! I went to surgery starving to death, and not one growl since I woke up from surgery!!! I am so happy!!