styms5

Hi Kate, You have to drink 200-300 mls of liquid. They will have a water bottle there for you to have and you drink just a medicine cupful at first. Depending on how everything goes, you need to be up walking, drinking, comfortable, with vital signs(b/p, oxygen, heart rate) stable. My first fill was 6 weeks after surgery. The last time I went there they said they may start moving it to 4-5 weeks after surgery because the last week you start to feel really hungry. I go for a dietary appointment today and for I hope another fill, cause I'm to the point where I could chew my arm off . Both nurses that I met at the Bariatric center were nice. The receptionist can be very moody though.- Sheila

Dr. Wolff did my surgery, but I like both of them. I think Dr. Cobean's bedside manner is better(I work in the recovery room at MMC so I see them both.) I've been doing great. It's a learning experience. Best wishes with your surgery. My words of wisdom obtained from my post-op are: 1. You won't get 64oz. down in the first few days. 8oz took me 2 hours. 2. Take the pain meds. 3. The burp will come up or pass on. 4. Popsicles are good for that 'I have to eat something with substance' feeling. 5.You will feel great in a very short time. Take care. Ask questions here-people here are great, especially when your feeling something and you can't figure out if it's right or not. Someone has had the same feeling and can help you through it. ---Sheila

Hi nhverve, Are you having surgery at the scarborough surgical center or Maine Medical Center? I had mine done at the SSC in September. Good luck with your surgery! Glad to hear your insurance problem is resolved.:smile2:

Hey Cindy, An arterial blood gas is usually drawn in the wrist, where there are a lot of sensitive nerves... ouch! Pressure needs to be held for a little longer after the draw due to the pressure behind an artery unlike a vein. If pressure isn't held, you get more bleeding under the skin,swelling and more pain.:bored: